Kingston HVAC Systems
Heat Pump vs Furnace:
Look, we get asked this question at least a few times a week: "Should I get a heat pump or stick with a furnace?"
And honestly? The internet doesn't make it easier. You'll find blog posts telling you heat pumps are the future, Facebook ads claiming they're a waste of money in Ontario, and neighbours swearing by the furnace they've had for 20 years. No wonder folks are confused. Both systems work in Kingston. The question isn't which one is universally "better," it's which one is better for YOUR home, YOUR budget, and YOUR situation. That's exactly the conversation Keith and the team have with homeowners every single week. So let's walk through this together. By the end, you'll understand what each system does, what it costs, and most importantly, what actually makes sense for a Kingston home in 2025.
Why Kingston HVAC System Choice Matters for Our Climate
Before we compare heat pumps and furnaces, let's talk about what we're actually dealing with here. Kingston winters are no joke. We see lows in the minus-twenties, and we average about 11 nights a year when the thermometer drops that low, mainly in January and February. That's not theoretical climate data; that's 57 days a year when your heating system is literally the difference between comfort and an expensive emergency call at 2 AM.
On top of that, we have:
Long cold seasons: Heating season in Kingston runs roughly from October through April—that's 7 months of serious heating demands.
Variable utility costs: If you're on natural gas, you're watching prices fluctuate. If you're looking at electric heating, Hydro One's rates keep creeping up.
Humidity challenges: Eastern Ontario winters are dry, but spring and fall can be damp, which affects how efficiently your system runs.
A heating system that works perfectly in Toronto might not be ideal for Kingston. And something designed for coastal BC definitely won't work here. You need HVAC advice from people who actually understand Kingston's specific climate challenges. This is why the choice between heat pumps and furnaces isn't simple. Both have real advantages in our climate. Both have real limitations. And for many Kingston homes, the answer might actually be both.
Kingston HVAC Option 1: Heat Pumps Why Modern Systems Actually Work in Cold Climates
Let's start with the biggest misconception: "Heat pumps don't work when it's cold." That used to be true. Older heat pump technology really did struggle below freezing. But modern heat pumps? They're different.
How They Work in Kingston's Winter
A heat pump is essentially an air conditioner that runs backwards. It pulls heat energy from outside air and moves it inside. Modern systems can operate efficiently down to about -21°C, which covers most Kingston winter days. On the brutal January nights when it hits -25°C? Most heat pump systems include a backup heating element. That's usually an electric resistance heater that kicks in automatically. You stay warm. You don't notice the switch. Your electric bill goes up on those extreme days, but you get maybe 10-15 nights a year of that cold. The rest of the time, the heat pump is saving you money compared to gas.
Heat Pump Performance in Kingston
Modern heat pumps in Kingston are rated at an HSPF of 10+, which is a technical way of saying they move about 10 units of heating for every 1 unit of electricity they use. That's genuinely efficient.
Cost to Run a Heat Pump in Kingston:
Average annual operating cost: $1,200–$1,500. (depending on your home's insulation)
That's lower than a gas furnace if you're running it year-round. (heating + cooling)
Lower still, if your home has good insulation and air sealing.
Why Kingston Homeowners Are Switching to Heat Pumps (And What You Need to Know)
Advantage #1: Lower Operating Costs
Over 15 years, a heat pump typically costs 30–40% less to run than a natural gas furnace. On a $1,400/year furnace bill, that's $400–$500 annual savings. Do that math over 15 years, and you're looking at $6,000–$7,500 in savings.
Advantage #2: Cooling in Summer
Kingston summers are getting warmer. A heat pump cools your home in July and August—and you already own the system. That's an A/C unit built in. A furnace doesn't cool; you'd need a separate A/C unit if you wanted that comfort.
Advantage #3: Rebate Support Through Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program
Here's something important: heat pumps are eligible for rebates up to $12,000 through the Home Renovation Savings Program, brought to you by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy with support from the Ontario Government. Best part? A home energy assessment isn't required. Unlike the Greener Homes Grant, the Home Renovation Savings Program is ongoing and flexible—you can pursue single upgrades or bundle them together for greater savings.
The Honest Limitations of Heat Pumps in Kingston
Higher Upfront Cost
A quality heat pump system costs $7,000–$10,000 installed. A furnace might be $4,000–$6,000. That's a real difference, and not every homeowner can absorb that upfront investment.
Your Home Needs to Be Well-Insulated
Heat pumps perform best when your home holds heat efficiently. If you have an older home with poor insulation, single-pane windows, and air leaks, the heat pump will work harder and cost more to run. In those cases, you might not see the long-term savings.
Electric Bills Will Increase on Extreme Cold Days
When it's -25°C and that backup heater kicks in, you're using electricity instead of gas. On those 10–15 brutal nights per year, your electric bill will spike. Most Kingston homeowners find this acceptable, but it's worth knowing upfront.
Kingston HVAC Option 2: Furnaces, the Reliable Workhorse in Eastern Ontario
Now let's talk about furnaces, because honestly? They're not going anywhere in Kingston, and there are really good reasons why. A furnace burns natural gas (or uses electricity) to create heat, which is blown through your home's ductwork. That's it. No fancy heat-transfer technology. No backup systems needed. On a -25°C January night, your furnace just... works.
Why Furnaces Still Make Sense in Kingston
Advantage #1: Proven Reliability in Our Climate
Furnaces were literally designed for climates like ours. No moving parts are trying to extract heat from frozen air. No backup heating element needed. Gas furnaces operate at full capacity in any weather. That's why they've been the standard heating system in Eastern Ontario for decades.
Advantage #2: Lower Upfront Cost
A quality furnace installation in Kingston runs $4,000–$6,500. That's genuinely less expensive than a heat pump. If budget is the primary factor, a furnace gets you reliable heating now.
Advantage #3: Existing Ductwork
If you already have a furnace and ductwork in place, replacing it with another furnace is straightforward and doesn't require system redesign. A heat pump retrofit sometimes does.
Advantage #4: No Electricity Dependency
A furnace uses natural gas, which is (currently) cheaper per BTU than electricity in Ontario. You're not dependent on electric rates rising. That's a form of cost predictability.
Furnace Limitations in 2025
Higher Operating Costs
A gas furnace costs $1,500–$1,800 per year to operate in Kingston (depending on your home and natural gas rates). Heat pumps are typically $1,200–$1,500. That gap widens every year if gas prices rise.
No Cooling
If you want air conditioning in summer, you need a separate system. That's an additional $3,000–$4,500 investment and another piece of equipment to maintain.
No Rebate Support
Unlike heat pumps, furnace replacements don't currently qualify for Ontario rebate programs.
Maintenance Is Essential
Furnaces need annual maintenance to run efficiently. Ignoring tune-ups will cost you in higher bills and earlier replacement. Heat pumps also need maintenance, but furnaces are less forgiving.
The Kingston HVAC Solution Most Homeowners Don't Consider: Hybrid Systems (Furnace + Heat Pump)
Here's where it gets interesting, and honestly, this is the conversation we're having with more Kingston homeowners every month. What is a hybrid system? It's a heat pump paired with a furnace as backup. The heat pump runs during mild weather and handles cooling in summer. When temperatures drop below a certain point (usually around -10°C), the furnace automatically kicks in. You get the efficiency and savings of a heat pump, plus the reliability of a furnace on the brutal Kingston winter nights.
Why a Hybrid System Makes Sense for Kingston
✓ You get the savings: Heat pumps run 85% of the heating season (September, October, April, May, and most of winter)
✓ You keep the reliability: Furnaces handle the 10–15 extreme-cold nights when you need zero doubt
✓ You get cooling: No second system needed; the heat pump handles that
✓ You get flexibility: You can phase the installation (start with heat pump, add furnace later, or vice versa)
The upfront cost is higher than either system alone, but the long-term operating savings and comfort level are genuinely compelling for Kingston homeowners who can make the investment [doc_1].
Kingston HVAC Cost Comparison: Heat Pump vs Furnace vs Hybrid
Let's break this down with actual numbers so you can make an informed decision:
Heat pump savings assume your home is reasonably well-insulated (built after 1990, or recently upgraded). Over 15 years, a heat pump typically saves $3,000–$8,000 compared to a furnace. The Home Renovation Savings Program offers rebates of up to $12,000 for geothermal heat pumps and up to $7,500 for ground- or air-source heat pumps. The grant also has flexible bundling options, and unlike the federal program, it's ongoing.
Want to learn more about the Home Renovation Savings Program? Check out our blog or reach out!
Why Kingston's HVAC Landscape Is Shifting
We've installed more heat pumps in Kingston this year than in the previous two years combined. Homeowners aren't replacing working furnaces. They are planning ahead. Gas rates bounce around, but electricity rates rise predictably. When you're looking at 15 years of heating and cooling costs, that difference adds up. Summers in Kingston are hotter than they used to be. Air conditioning matters now. A furnace-only system that can't cool your home in July is only half of the solution.
How to Know What's Right for Your Home
The only honest answer is: it depends on your house and your situation. A 30-minute evaluation shows exactly what makes sense for your specific home, your insulation, your budget, and whether you qualify for those rebates. Keith and the team will walk you through the numbers without any pressure. And, if a Heat Pump is the right option for you, we provide rebate guidance at no extra cost!
