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Heat Pump vs Wood Stove: Which Is Better for Toronto Homes?

For homeowners in Toronto—especially those in older houses or cottages—wood stoves may seem like a traditional and cozy way to heat. But how do they compare to modern heat pumps, which are becoming the go-to choice for energy-efficient heating and cooling? Let’s break it down with insights from Temperature Care.

How Do They Work?

Wood Stove:

Burns wood logs to produce heat
Radiates warmth into a single room or small area
Requires regular wood supply, chimney cleaning, and careful operation

Heat Pump (Air-Source):

Transfers heat between your home and the outdoors using electricity
Provides both heating and cooling with high efficiency
Can heat entire homes or specific zones with ducted or ductless setups

Learn more: ENERGY STAR – Heat Pumps

Efficiency & Cost Comparison

Feature	Heat Pump	Wood Stove
Heating & Cooling	Yes (dual function)	Heating only
Efficiency	200–350% (COP 2–3.5)	Variable (depends on stove & wood quality)
Operating Cost	Very low (hydro-efficient)	Moderate (wood costs & labor)
Air Quality	Filters & humidity control	Smoke, particulates indoors
Rebates	Substantial, available	None

Heat pumps save homeowners thousands over time.
Wood stoves are affordable if you have access to low-cost firewood, but require more effort.

Compare: Clean Energy Canada – Heat Pump Savings

Comfort & Air Quality

Heat pumps:
- Provide consistent, draft-free warmth and cooling
- Improve indoor air quality with built-in filtration
- Manage humidity for year-round comfort
Wood stoves:
- Offer cozy radiant heat and ambiance
- Can create uneven warmth—very hot nearby, cold farther away
- Smoke and particulates can reduce indoor air quality

Environmental Impact

Heat pumps: Extremely low emissions, powered by Ontario’s clean electricity grid.
Wood stoves: Burn biomass, releasing particulates and smoke that can affect both the environment and health.

US DOE – Biomass Heating

Installation & Rebates

Heat pumps:
- Professionally installed, ducted or ductless
- Eligible for major rebates:
  - Canada Greener Homes Grant
  - Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus
Wood stoves:
- Require chimney or venting, professional installation recommended
- Not eligible for modern HVAC rebates

See Temperature Care’s heating services

Which Should You Choose?

Choose a heat pump if you want energy savings, year-round comfort, and environmental responsibility.
Choose a wood stove if you want cozy ambiance, backup heat during outages, or enjoy traditional heating.
Some Toronto homeowners install both: a heat pump for efficiency and a wood stove for ambiance/back-up heating.