905-780 3262

Heat Pump vs Electric Furnace: Which Heating System Is Best for Toronto Homes?

For Toronto homeowners seeking efficient, reliable heating, two common choices are the heat pump and the electric furnace. Each offers unique benefits, but which system is best for your comfort, energy savings, and long-term costs? Here’s an in-depth comparison from the experts at Temperature Care.

How Do They Work?

Electric Furnace:

Uses electric resistance coils to generate heat
Blows heated air through ductwork, similar to a gas furnace
Provides fast, strong heating but can be expensive to run

Heat Pump:

Moves heat from outdoors into your home (and reverses for cooling)
Can be ducted (whole-home) or ductless (mini-split)
Super-efficient—delivers 2–3x more heat per unit of electricity than a furnace

Learn more: ENERGY STAR – Electric vs Heat Pump Heating

Efficiency and Operating Costs

Feature	Electric Furnace	Heat Pump
Efficiency	100%	200–300%+
Heating Only	Yes	No—also provides cooling
Operating Cost	High (hydro bills)	Lower (especially in Toronto)
Lifespan	15–20 years	12–15 years

Electric furnaces turn every dollar of electricity into heat (100%), but heat pumps multiply your heating dollars—big savings, especially during Toronto’s long winters!
Heat pumps also replace your air conditioner, reducing costs and maintenance.

See: Clean Energy Canada – Heat Pump Affordability

Comfort and Air Quality

Heat pumps: Offer steady, even heat and humidity control. Plus, built-in air filtration improves indoor air quality.
Electric furnaces: Powerful heating, but can dry out the air and cause higher swings in temperature.

Environmental Impact

Heat pumps: Minimal emissions, especially in Ontario with its clean electricity grid.
Electric furnaces: No direct emissions, but higher overall energy consumption.

Compare: US Department of Energy – Heating System Emissions

Installation Considerations

If you already have ductwork, both systems can be installed easily.
Heat pumps are available in ductless (mini-split) options—perfect for additions, condos, or older Toronto homes without ducts.

Read: ENERGY STAR – Ductless Mini-Splits

Government Rebates and Savings

Upgrading to a heat pump may qualify you for thousands in rebates:

Ask Temperature Care for the latest rebate info!

Which Should You Choose?

Choose a heat pump if you want maximum energy savings, year-round comfort, and the smallest carbon footprint.
Choose an electric furnace only if you want a simple, low-maintenance solution and rarely use air conditioning.