These are the questions Renfrew County homeowners ask most often about heating systems — from furnace vs. heat pump comparisons to carbon monoxide safety, OHPA grants, AFUE ratings, and what to expect from a winter heat pump in a cold Ontario climate. If your question isn't here, see the HVAC overview or the specific pages linked throughout.
What's the difference between a furnace and a heat pump?
A furnace burns fuel — natural gas, propane, or oil — to generate heat through combustion. A heat pump doesn't generate heat; it moves heat energy from outdoor air (even cold air) to inside the home using a refrigerant circuit and a compressor. Heat pumps are far more efficient than resistance electric heat — for every unit of electricity consumed, a quality heat pump delivers 2–3 units of heat energy. The main trade-offs are higher upfront cost and the need for backup heat when outdoor temperatures drop below the system's rated minimum.
See the heating system types guide for a full comparison.
Can a heat pump work in Renfrew County winters?
Yes — and this is one of the most important things to understand before making a heating decision. Modern cold-climate heat pump models (specifically those rated to −25°C or lower) work effectively through the vast majority of winter temperatures in Renfrew County. At extreme cold below that threshold, a backup heat source — either a retained gas or propane furnace (a "dual-fuel" system) or electric resistance strips built into the air handler — supplements the heat pump output. This is standard practice in cold-climate installations and it works reliably through Renfrew County winters.
What does not work is a standard (non-cold-climate) heat pump installed without appropriate backup. Always specify cold-climate equipment rated to −25°C or lower when getting quotes in this region.
Do I need a permit to replace my furnace in Ontario?
In most cases, yes — though the specific requirements depend on your municipality and the scope of work. TSSA permits are required for gas work. ESA permits are required for any new electrical connections. Your local municipality may require a building permit, particularly when the system type is changing (for example, from an oil furnace to a heat pump). Confirm requirements with your local building department and your contractor before work begins. Permits left unpulled can complicate home sales and insurance claims later.
See HVAC regulations and permits for full detail.
What is AFUE and why does it matter?
AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency — it is the industry-standard measure of how efficiently a furnace converts fuel into usable heat. An 80% AFUE furnace converts 80 cents of every fuel dollar into heat and loses 20 cents up the flue. A 95% AFUE model loses only 5 cents per dollar. Ontario's building code currently requires a minimum 80% AFUE for new furnace installations, but contractors often recommend 95%+ models for their long-term fuel savings.
The practical impact: a 95% AFUE furnace uses roughly 16% less fuel than an 80% model for identical heat output. Over 15–20 years of operation, that efficiency gap accumulates to a meaningful fuel cost difference — often enough to justify the higher upfront cost of the high-efficiency unit.
How long does a furnace last?
Gas and propane furnaces typically last 15–25 years with proper annual maintenance. Oil furnaces average 15–20 years. Air-source heat pumps have a typical lifespan of 15–20 years for the indoor air handler; the outdoor compressor unit often lasts 20 or more years when properly maintained. Skipping annual maintenance shortens equipment life and increases the risk of an in-season failure — not a position anyone wants to be in at −25°C in January in Renfrew County.
Should I replace my oil furnace with a heat pump?
If your oil furnace is aging or has failed, you are likely eligible for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) grant, which provides up to $15,000 for qualifying households switching from oil to an electric heat pump. Stacked with the Canada Greener Homes Loan (up to $40,000 interest-free), the net out-of-pocket cost can be dramatically reduced — in some cases to zero for the equipment.
The operating cost comparison also generally favours heat pumps. Oil prices are volatile and trending higher long-term; electricity in Ontario, while not cheap, produces heat at 2–3× the efficiency of an oil furnace for most winter temperatures. Payback periods of 5–10 years after grants are realistic for most Renfrew County properties. The decision not to switch is a decision to continue paying volatile oil prices with no grant backstop.
What is carbon monoxide and how do I protect against it?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless, tasteless gas produced by incomplete combustion of any carbon-based fuel — gas, propane, oil, wood, or charcoal. At elevated concentrations, CO displaces oxygen in the bloodstream and is lethal. Because it has no smell or colour, it cannot be detected without a sensor.
Ontario's Fire Protection and Prevention Act requires a functioning CO detector within 5 metres of every sleeping area in any home with a fuel-burning appliance. This is law — not optional. CO detectors should be tested monthly and replaced every 5–7 years as the sensor element degrades. Annual furnace tune-ups include heat exchanger inspection specifically to catch the cracks and deterioration that allow combustion gases — including CO — to leak into the living space through the forced-air distribution system.
How do I know if my heat pump is working correctly in winter?
Several things are normal that may look unusual to first-time heat pump owners:
- Longer run cycles — heat pumps run more continuously than furnaces in cold weather. This is intentional and efficient.
- Frost on the outdoor unit — normal. The unit will automatically run a defrost cycle to clear ice, and the unit may blow a brief puff of steam during defrost. This is expected.
- The "aux heat" or "emergency heat" indicator — occasional use of backup heat at very cold temperatures is normal. If aux heat is running continuously during moderately cold weather (above −15°C, for example), that warrants a service call — the heat pump may not be operating at rated efficiency.
- Persistent ice buildup that doesn't clear — not normal. If the outdoor unit remains heavily iced after a full defrost cycle, call for service.
What does a furnace tune-up include?
A standard annual furnace tune-up from a TSSA-licensed technician typically covers:
- Air filter inspection and replacement
- Heat exchanger inspection for cracks, holes, or deterioration (critical for CO safety)
- Burner cleaning and inspection — proper combustion reduces CO production and improves efficiency
- Flue and venting system inspection for blockages, corrosion, or improper slope
- Safety control and limit switch testing
- Carbon monoxide test at the equipment and in the living space
- Blower motor and belt inspection (if belt-drive)
- Thermostat calibration check
Expect to pay $150–$350 for a residential tune-up in the Renfrew County area. September and October are ideal — before the heating season begins and while service schedules are less pressured than in mid-winter.