In the ever-evolving HVAC world, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. We sat down with an industry leader to examine the latest advancements in heat pump technology and their implications for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.

From groundbreaking inverter technology to the significant reduction in greenhouse gases, this interview with Joe Cancilla​​​​, Director of Sales HVAC Canada, Napoleon, offers invaluable insights for HVAC professionals looking to stay informed and provide the best solutions for their customers.

Discover why modern heat pumps are becoming the go-to choice, even in the coldest climates, and get the inside scoop on future trends and industry shifts that will shape the market in the coming years.

ECCO Supply: What are the latest advancements in heat pump technology that address efficiency and colder climates?

Joe: Inverter technology is probably the most significant change in compressor technology for heat pumps. This advancement increases efficiency, allowing the units to operate effectively at lower temperatures.

ECCO Supply: How do modern heat pumps perform in terms of energy consumption compared to traditional heating systems?

Joe: Standard cold climate heat pumps can achieve up to 300% efficiency compared to a high-efficiency fossil fuel furnace system. This is based on actual fuel costs and standard operating temperatures around minus 5 degrees Celsius.

As it gets colder, efficiency drops, but most cold climate heat pumps still run at 100% efficiency down to about minus 20 degrees Celsius, which is very efficient compared to standard systems.

ECCO Supply: Let’s talk about the differences between air source, ground source, and water source heat pumps.

Joe: The manufacturer I work for [Napoleon] only operates in the air source spectrum. Ground source heat pumps are effective but come with higher capital costs for installation and equipment. From an ROI perspective and ease of installation, air-source heat pumps are generally most conducive to the average home in Canada.

ECCO Supply: What improvements have been made in the design of heat pumps to enhance their performance in extremely low temperatures?

Joe: Besides inverter technology, there are low ambient temperature kits and equipment features like crankcase heaters and extended defrost cycles. The cabinet construction is also designed to shelter the unit better.

ECCO Supply: How does the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of heat pumps change with weather conditions?

Joe: The COP increases or decreases based on outdoor conditions. COP is an efficiency ratio, so anything above one is good. For example, a COP of 3 means you get $3 worth of heat for every $1 spent. Most cold climate heat pumps achieve peak efficiency at temperatures around minus 5 to -7 degrees Celsius. As it gets colder, efficiency drops off. A good resource on these numbers is NRCan.

ECCO Supply: Considering the rising cost of electricity, how cost-effective are heat pumps as a long-term investment for homeowners?

Joe: While Canadians think we have high electricity costs, globally, our electricity is quite economical. As electricity costs rise, homeowners are incentivized to install the most efficient equipment to use less electricity. There’s a substantial shift towards heat pump technology with ongoing movements away from fossil fuels and towards electrification.

ECCO Supply: To help our HVAC contractors, we list rebates on our website. Do you know of any assistance programs?

Joe: Rebates are one of the most challenging areas of our industry as they constantly change. There are federal, provincial, and utility rebates, and even municipalities offer them. It varies considerably, making it difficult to keep track.

ECCO Supply: Are handling rebates a headache for HVAC contractors?

Joe: It can be more problematic at the distributor or manufacturer level. Contractors operate in smaller geographic areas and can rely on quality manufacturers and distributors for support with rebate information.

ECCO Supply: HVAC contractors tell us their customers ask about the maintenance costs for heat pumps. Can you share any info with us?

Joe: Maintenance costs for air source heat pumps are inexpensive if the product has been installed and commissioned correctly. Usually, an annual service call is all that’s needed, similar to what is required for other heating products.

ECCO Supply: Can you discuss the environmental benefits of using heat pumps compared to fossil fuel-based systems?

Joe: The biggest benefit is reducing greenhouse gases, but this depends on how your electricity is generated. For example, in Ontario, our electricity is generated from hydro or nuclear power, which emits almost no greenhouse gases. In contrast, Alberta generates electricity primarily from natural gas. The debate is whether using a natural gas furnace or a heat pump powered by electricity generated from natural gas is greener.

ECCO Supply: Do heat pumps help reduce a household’s carbon footprint?

Joe: Yes, they do.

ECCO Supply: What’s the biggest misconception about heat pumps in colder climates, and how should contractors address it?

Joe: We’ve sold heat pumps in Northern BC, Northwest Territories, and Northern Saskatchewan. There isn’t a region in Canada that’s too cold for heat pumps.

ECCO Supply: What is the future of heat pump technology?

Joe: There will be a transition from air conditioning to heat pumps in Canada. In a few years, there will be little demand for air conditioners as the demand shifts to heat pumps. Also, we have upcoming changes with the new A2L refrigerant, which will be the most significant change in our product line soon.

Resources
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) publishes the efficiencies of heat pumps and how these efficiencies are measured.