Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP)

Install a complete new or replacement variable capacity cold climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) system, intended to service the entire home.

The newly installed system must meet the following criteria:

• Compressor must be of variable capacity with three or more distinct operating speeds, or continuously variable speed
• Minimum total rated heating capacity at 8.3 °C of 3.52 kW (12,000 BTU/h)
• HSPF (AHRI Climate Region Zone IV) ≥ 10
• COP ≥ 1.8 at -15 °C (5 °F) (at maximum capacity operation);
• Capacity maintenance (Max -15 °C (5 °F)/Rated 8.3 °C (47 °F)) ≥ 70%

Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)

Install a complete ENERGY STAR certified new or replacement air source heat pump (ASHP) system, intended to service the entire home.

The newly installed system must meet the following criteria:

• ENERGY STAR certified
• Minimum total rated heating capacity at 8.3 °C of 3.52 kW (12,000 Btu/h)
• HSPF (AHRI Climate Region Zone IV) ≥ 10

Installation:

 

Your air source heat pump or cold climate air source heat pump must be installed by a licensed and trained professional. Before accepting the quote from a licensed professional, it is highly recommended that you obtain proof of their licence to install equipment in your province or territory.

Download Contractor Qualification Form

Heat distribution

The Canada Greener Homes Grant initiative requires that the heat pump system be capable of distributing heat throughout the entire conditioned space in the house, including the basement (for basements where the distance from the top of the floor slab to the bottom of the ceiling joist is 1.8 m or higher). This applies regardless of whether the heat pump system is a central ducted, mini- or multi-split ducted or ductless system. The mechanical system contractor is responsible for specifying (including load calculations, sizing and selection) and installing the new heat pump system to meet this requirement.

The heat pump system is not typically sized to deliver 100% of the peak heating load as this could lead to an oversized system that frequently cycles on/off. Mechanical system contractors should design a system that optimizes the energy savings for a house and increases the comfort of occupants. Based on the house-as-a-system, the design should account for the anticipated heat requirements based on other planned energy efficiency upgrades to the building envelope (such as the installation of insulation, the replacement of windows or air sealing) in order to avoid oversizing the unit. While heat pump systems can also provide air conditioning in the summer, air conditioning considerations are secondary in the sizing of system design. It is recommended that the toolkit for air source heat pump sizing and selection be used by the mechanical system contractor to determine the optimal sizing needs.

A new heat pump system can be integrated into an existing heat pump system. However, only the new system is eligible for a grant, provided that it meets all eligibility requirements, and the new and existing systems together distribute heat throughout the entire conditioned space in the home, including the basement when applicable as defined above. A minimum of one warm air supply outlet or indoor head is required on every floor, including each level of a split-level, mezzanine level, etc., of each dwelling unit in the building. More than one warm air supply outlet and/or indoor head per floor may be required to ensure heat distribution to the entire building. (A transition period is in place, since this clarification came after the launch of the Canada Greener Homes Grant

Example: In a two-unit residential building (bungalow or house with a basement suite, or duplex) where part of the basement is dwelling 1 and where the remainder of the basement together with the main floor make up dwelling 2, three heads are required. A head is required in dwelling 1, and one on each storey of dwelling 2.

Attestations

It is highly recommended that you ask the mechanical system contractor to sign an attestation form confirming that the air source heat pump or cold climate air source heat pump is capable of distributing heat throughout the entire house.

Download Attestation Form

Eligible product lists

Your new heat pump must be on the list of eligible products. All components of a heat pump system (indoor and outdoor units, and furnace or air handling unit) must be compatible and listed together as an eligible product. Use the AHRI number and make and model of the indoor and outdoor units provided by the mechanical system contractor to confirm that your heat pump is included on the list.

Purchase location

All equipment must be purchased in Canada. Online purchases are only eligible if they are ordered from a distributor located in Canada.