Chauffer et climatiser à faibles coûts au Canada

The report finds that heat pumps are the most economical heating and cooling option for the majority of Canadian households over their system life cycle, particularly in cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax. Despite this economic advantage, adoption remains low due to behavioral, economic, and structural barriers, including high initial costs, lack of consumer confidence, and complex government rebate programs. The document argues that heat pumps are critical for both decarbonizing residential buildings and increasing resilience against extreme heat, which has caused significant mortality in regions like British Columbia. It recommends that governments maintain financial supports, simplify application processes through 'one-stop shops', implement indoor maximum temperature limits in building codes, and mandate high-efficiency, non-polluting systems in new constructions where electrically-powered heating is most cost-effective.

• Heat pumps are the most cost-effective heating and cooling option for most Canadian households over the system's life cycle, especially for single-family homes and row houses regardless of building age in most modeled cities.
• Regional energy prices and climate conditions are the primary drivers of economic competitiveness. In Montreal, Halifax, and Vancouver, heat pumps outperform gas heating even in worst-case scenarios (high equipment costs, high electricity prices, and low gas prices). Conversely, in Edmonton, low gas prices and a cold climate make gas furnaces with AC or hybrid heat pumps more competitive.
• For most households, particularly in Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax, a fully electric system (heat pump with electric backup) is the least expensive option compared to a heat pump with gas backup.
• Heat pumps are essential for climate resilience, as they provide vital cooling during extreme heat waves. In British Columbia's 2021 heat wave, 98% of heat-related deaths and medical consultations were attributed to extreme indoor temperatures, and only 1% of those who died had space air conditioning in their residence.
• Despite life-cycle savings, adoption is hindered by behavioral and economic barriers: consumers overemphasize high initial costs over long-term operational savings, and a lack of clear information on performance undermines confidence.
• Government programs are often too complex to be effective. Some require energy audits before eligibility is confirmed, creating an administrative burden that deters adoption. For example, the Canada Greener Homes Grant saw only 30,000 payments annually in its first two years, less than a third of the rate needed to meet its goals.
• Structural barriers create inequitable access, particularly for renters. Most rebate programs target owner-occupants, and landlords have little incentive to install heat pumps since tenants typically pay the energy bills while landlords pay for installation.
• To meet 2030 climate targets, the share of heating provided by heat pumps in Canada must double to exceed 10% of residences.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2023). Chauffer et climatiser à faibles coûts au Canada. https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Thermopompes-rentables-Chauffer-et-climatiser-a-faibles-couts-au-Canada-Institut-climatique-du-Canada.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. Chauffer et climatiser à faibles coûts au Canada. 2023. https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Thermopompes-rentables-Chauffer-et-climatiser-a-faibles-couts-au-Canada-Institut-climatique-du-Canada.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=Chauffer et climatiser à faibles coûts au Canada |date=September 2023 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Thermopompes-rentables-Chauffer-et-climatiser-a-faibles-couts-au-Canada-Institut-climatique-du-Canada.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianclimateinstitute2023chauffer, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{Chauffer et climatiser à faibles coûts au Canada}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2023}, month = sep, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Thermopompes-rentables-Chauffer-et-climatiser-a-faibles-couts-au-Canada-Institut-climatique-du-Canada.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }