One system that heats and cools your Ottawa home — sized and installed right, by the person who shows up.
Book a free in-home assessmentI'm Antoine Cardinal — a licensed, owner-operated HVAC technician, and I install and service heat pumps across Ottawa and the surrounding towns. A heat pump is the most efficient way to heat and cool a home here, and today's cold-climate models are built for our winters. When you call Cardinal HVAC, the person who assesses the job is the same person who installs it and stands behind it.
Honestly? A heat pump is a smart move for just about any Ontario home. If you care about lower bills, steadier comfort, and cleaner air — and who doesn't — one belongs in your future. So the real question usually isn't whether a heat pump is right for you. It's when the timing makes sense. Here's when it's worth making the move:
Not sure this is your moment? That's exactly what a no-pressure assessment is for. I'll give you an honest read on the right system and the right timing — even if the honest answer is "let's plan for next year."
A heat pump is one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool an Ottawa-area home, because it doesn't burn fuel to make heat — it simply moves heat from one place to another. In winter it pulls warmth out of the outdoor air (yes, even cold air holds usable heat) and delivers it inside. In summer it runs in reverse, pulling heat out of your home to keep you cool, so a single system replaces both your air conditioner and a large part of your heating.
Because it's moving heat rather than creating it, a modern heat pump can deliver several units of heating for every unit of electricity it uses. Today's cold-climate models are engineered for Canadian winters and keep producing usable heat well below freezing, with an electric or gas backup available for the coldest snaps.
The right heat pump depends on your home's layout, existing ductwork, and comfort goals. I help you choose and install:
I install and service every major heat pump brand. Here's the thing, though: nearly all of them are built by just a handful of manufacturers, so this long list of names traces back to a short list of factories. That's exactly why the badge on the box matters far less than most companies want you to think:
Confused by all the brand names? I wrote an honest, no-sales-pitch explainer on who actually makes heat pumps and air conditioners, which "brands" are the same units rebadged, and why the installation matters more than any logo.
Read: HVAC Brands — What Actually Matters →Heat pump upgrades often qualify for federal and provincial rebate and financing programs, which can meaningfully lower the cost of switching to a high-efficiency system. Available programs and amounts change over time and depend on your equipment, your home, and sometimes an energy assessment.
I'll help you understand which programs your project may qualify for and point you to the current, official details — so you can plan around real numbers, not marketing figures.
To fill in: once we confirm which rebate programs to feature (and your participating-contractor status), I'll build the specific programs and amounts into this section.
To fill in: your workmanship/labour warranty term, and a link or quotes from your Google reviews, will go here once you send them.
I install and service heat pumps across the Ottawa area, including:
Not sure if you're in range? Get in touch and I'll let you know.
Yes. Cold-climate heat pumps are engineered for our climate and keep producing usable heat well below −25 °C. For the few coldest days of the year, the system can be paired with electric or gas backup so you're always comfortable. The key is correct sizing and a proper installation for our conditions.
In many Ottawa homes a single cold-climate heat pump can handle both heating and cooling year-round. In others, it makes sense to keep your gas furnace as backup in a dual-fuel setup that automatically uses whichever source is most efficient. I'll tell you honestly which fits your home rather than pushing one option.
If you already have good ductwork, a central (ducted) heat pump usually makes sense. If you have no ducts, an addition, a condo, or rooms that are always too hot or too cold, a ductless mini-split is often the better and less invasive choice. Layout, insulation, and your goals decide it — that's what the in-home assessment is for.
Most residential installations take one to two days depending on the system type, whether ductwork or electrical changes are needed, and access. I'll give you a clear timeline in your written quote before any work starts.
Yes — federal and provincial programs regularly offer rebates and financing for high-efficiency heat pumps, and the amounts and rules change over time. I'll help you understand which programs your project may qualify for and point you to the current, official details before you count on any figure.
Less than most companies want you to believe. Nearly every residential heat pump comes out of a handful of factories, and many familiar brand names are those same units rebadged. Correct sizing and a careful installation matter far more than the badge on the box — here's the honest breakdown.
If you're weighing a heat pump for your Ottawa-area home, let's talk. I'll assess your home, answer your questions, and give you an honest, no-pressure recommendation and a clear written quote.
Related: Air Conditioning · Furnace Services · Second Opinion · Maintenance Plans
