Heat pumps by province · checked October 19, 2026

Heat pumps in The North (YT · NT · NU)

Northern homes need heat down to −36.4°C to −39.2°C on a design day. At today's prices a cold-climate heat pump in Whitehorse delivers heat for about $50.17 a GJ, against $54.33 for an oil furnace.

A house raised on steel piles in a northern town, a snowmobile parked outside in ice fog
Design temperature −39.2°C coldest of 2 cities we cover; mildest −36.4°C
Cold-climate heat pump $50.17 per GJ Whitehorse, seasonal COP 1.6
Oil furnace (85%) $54.33 per GJ no piped gas in our price data
Heat pump programs 4 of 4 open Amounts and equipment rules

Climate and sizing

A heat pump is sized to the design temperature: the cold that a home must handle on all but the coldest 1% of winter hours. Below that, most systems keep heating at reduced output, and a backup (electric strips or the old furnace) covers the gap. The seasonal COP is a planning value for the whole winter, backup and defrost included.

Heating climate by city in The North (YT · NT · NU)
City Design temperature Heating degree days Nights below −20°C Seasonal COP, cold-climate Heat pump cost per GJ
Whitehorse −36.4°C 6,584 48.7 1.6 standard 1.3 $50.17
Yellowknife −39.2°C 8,147 105.2 1.6 standard 1.3 $68.23

Design temperatures: HOT2000 weather files (NRCan). Degree days and cold nights: Environment and Climate Change Canada 1991–2020 normals. Seasonal COP: Seasonal COP for a whole heating season, including electric backup heat and defrost, for a heat pump sized for mild to cold weather. Planning values set slightly below modelled results (Dunsky/CCI 2024) because field studies (RDH for FortisBC; Yukon pilot) came in lower. Above 6,000 degree-days the values rest on one partial-season pilot in Whitehorse, so we use the low end of the band from 7,000 degree-days (Yellowknife).

What heat costs to run in Whitehorse

Cost per gigajoule of heat delivered into the house, at prices current on October 8, 2026, using the marginal price of electricity an electrically heated home pays in winter. A typical older house in a cold province uses 60 to 120 GJ of heat a year.

Delivered heat cost by fuel in Whitehorse
Heating system Cost per GJ of heat vs cheapest Based on
Cold-climate heat pump $50.17 cheapest seasonal COP 1.6 for this climate
Oil furnace (85%) $54.33 +8% $1.76 per litre, 12-month average
Standard heat pump $61.75 +23% seasonal COP 1.3
Electric baseboards or furnace $80.28 +60% 28.9¢ per kWh

Prices and their sources are on our energy cost calculator, which works the numbers for your own home.

Heat pump rebates in the North

Every heat pump program we found, with the equipment rule that decides which models qualify. Checked against each program's own page on October 19, 2026. Most rebates here use NRCan's Eligible Products List: check the exact pairing there before you sign.

Heat pump rebate (heating system rebate)

Open

Government of Yukon (Energy Branch)

Heat pump amountsExisting home: 50% of project costs up to $10,500 (air-source or ground-source). New home: up to $1,500 (rebates overview page).

Equipment ruleAir-source: 'listed by Natural Resources Canada as Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps for Manitoba and Yukon' (NRCan's OHPA list 'Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps for Manitoba and Yukon', last updated August 7, 2026). Ground-source: ENERGY STAR certified.

Other conditionsHome at least six months old (for the existing-home rebate); a non-electric existing heating system must be kept as backup; an existing electric system must be kept as backup and enrolled in Yukon Energy's Peak Smart Home program; homes with electric heat may instead qualify for a dual-fuel heating system rebate (amount not shown). Backup upgrades aren't eligible costs. Paid…

yukon.ca ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

Affordable Heat Pump Program (income-qualified)

Open

Government of Yukon (Energy Branch)

Heat pump amounts100% of project costs up to $24,000; oil-heated approved applicants also get an upfront $250 from NRCan.

Equipment ruleSame as the standard rebate: NRCan cold-climate ASHP list for Manitoba and Yukon, or ENERGY STAR ground-source.

Other conditionsAfter-tax household income under $53,820 (1 resident) up to under $184,000 (5+); approval required before installation; same backup and Peak Smart Home rules; anyone who received NRCan Oil to Heat Pump Affordability funding is ineligible.

yukon.ca ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

Arctic Energy Alliance — Energy-Efficient Products rebates (2026/27)

Open

Arctic Energy Alliance (GNWT-funded)

Heat pump amountsNone: the 2026/27 product list (April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027) covers appliances, wood/pellet stoves, thermostats, ECM pumps, drain-water heat recovery and insulation, but no heat pumps, and rebates are no longer offered on heating systems that use fossil fuels.

Equipment ruleNot applicable.

Other conditionsAEA's Renewable Energy program page (modified May 14, 2026) says AEA funds renewable sources 'such as solar, wind, wood pellet heating, biofuel/synthetic gas and ground-source heat pumps', but ground-source heat pumps aren't on its 'Eligible Technologies' list and no amount is given; equipment must be CSA or ULC certified and new; contact AEA before applying (867-920-3333).

aea.nt.ca ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

No heat pump rebate found — Nunavut Housing Corporation homeownership programs

Open

Nunavut Housing Corporation

Heat pump amountsNone found. The NHC's Home Renovation Program (forgivable loan up to $100,000 over 10 years, or a 50% grant up to $20,000 for owners doing the work) covers major repairs and renovations; neither it nor any other listed program mentions heat pumps. Heating oil tank repairs now fall under the Home Renovation Program.

Equipment ruleNot applicable.

Other conditionsNunavut homes were never eligible for the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program (grid requirements, per our earlier check).

nunavuthousing.ca ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

Federal programs

National Heat Pump Rebate

Announced October 8, 2026 and opening early 2027: up to $10,000 below the median income, $2,000 for other eligible homeowners

Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program

Free retrofits for low-to-median-income households through provincial partners in BC, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI and Quebec (Quebec's 2026–27 intake has closed) — not available in Ontario

Our full program guides

Territorial energy programs (YT · NT · NU)

NRCan's Eligible Products List ↗

Systems that suit northern winters

The certified systems that heat most efficiently at −15°C (5°F) on current refrigerants, from ENERGY STAR's Canadian listings. Rows marked "Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds" are the ones to check on NRCan's list for the rebates here. With design temperatures near −39.2°C, ask for the maker's capacity tables below −15°C and plan the backup heat.

Mini-splits and multi-splits

Cold-climate mini-splits for The North (YT · NT · NU)
Brand Outdoor / indoor model Size Heat at −15°C (5°F) COP at −15°C (5°F) HSPF2 SEER2 Refrigerant AHRI #
Midea M3O Series M3OX430-27HFN8-M1 Same ratings also listed as Innovair, Stelpro, Dettson and Ouellet 27,000 BTU/h 2.5-ton 21,400 BTU/h 79% of rated 2.80 10.0 22.5 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 218461516
Fujitsu AIRSTAGE H-Series AOUH12KTAP1 ASUH12KTAS 15,300 BTU/h 1-ton 16,200 BTU/h 106% of rated 2.62 13.7 31.5 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 216018256
Hitachi airCore700 PAS-18BUFASDQ1-LAC PCI-B18UFA1DQ 18,000 BTU/h 1.5-ton 15,000 BTU/h 83% of rated 2.60 11.0 27.0 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 217450776
Hitachi airCore700 PAS-18BUFASDQ1 PCI-B18UFA1DQ 20,000 BTU/h 1.5-ton 16,200 BTU/h 81% of rated 2.60 11.0 25.0 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 214723258
Carrier 45M Series 37MARAQ24AA3 45MAHAQ24XA3 Same ratings also listed as Bryant, Midea, Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands, Payne and WeatherMaker, Kenmore, LPS Legacy, Smart Comfort 25,000 BTU/h 2-ton 19,600 BTU/h 78% of rated 2.54 11.7 23.1 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 215323752
Bosch BMS Series BMS500-AAS024-1CSXRD BMS500-AAU024-1AHWXD Same ratings also listed as Midea, Moovair, Innovair, Stelpro, Dettson and Ouellet, Cooper & Hunter, ACiQ, Blueridge, AC PRO, CanAir 25,000 BTU/h 2-ton 19,600 BTU/h 78% of rated 2.54 11.7 23.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 215223306
Fujitsu AIRSTAGE H-Series AOUH15KTAP1 ASUH15KTAS 17,400 BTU/h 1-ton 18,400 BTU/h 106% of rated 2.52 13.0 28.7 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 216018257
AUX C-Series AFEB09HP115V1CO AFEB09HP115V1CH 9,700 BTU/h 1-ton 9,200 BTU/h 95% of rated 2.52 9.5 22.0 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 214290017

Central systems, 2 tons and up

Cold-climate central heat pumps for The North (YT · NT · NU)
Brand Outdoor / indoor model Size Heat at −15°C (5°F) COP at −15°C (5°F) HSPF2 SEER2 Refrigerant AHRI #
Samsung Hylex AC060FCUPCG FEMUU1A60S001R 56,000 BTU/h 4.5-ton 43,000 BTU/h 77% of rated 2.58 9.0 17.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217734250
Samsung Hylex AC048FCUPCG FEMTT7A60S001R 48,000 BTU/h 4-ton 40,500 BTU/h 84% of rated 2.52 8.5 16.5 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217734248
Hisense Hi-PRO HD AUWR-60U3TH5 AUH-48UX3TEH3 Same ratings also listed as Endura, Gridless, HAXXAIR, Multi MFG, SUM X, Voltas, Zephyr 48,000 BTU/h 4-ton 37,000 BTU/h 77% of rated 2.52 9.0 19.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 215270433
Midea MVB Series MOE30-36HFN10-M3X MVBDM-36HWFN10-WC3 36,000 BTU/h 3-ton 36,000 BTU/h 100% of rated 2.46 10.0 18.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 216967947
Hisense Hi-PRO HD AUWR-6024P AUH-6024 Same ratings also listed as Endura, Gridless, HAXXAIR, Multi MFG, SUM X, Voltas, Zephyr 57,000 BTU/h 5-ton 42,000 BTU/h 74% of rated 2.46 9.0 19.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 214855379
Armstrong Air, AirEase, Ducane and Concord A7CP21V SERIES A7CP21V36P-**A 7EH30BX-**+TDR Same ratings also listed as AC PRO 30,800 BTU/h 3-ton 22,600 BTU/h 73% of rated 2.44 8.5 17.5 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 217493329
Lennox Elite EL21KLV SERIES EL21KLV-036-230A** CK40HT-30B-**+TDR Same ratings also listed as GE Appliances and Haier 31,200 BTU/h 3-ton 22,800 BTU/h 73% of rated 2.44 9.4 19.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 217443321
Lennox DAVE LENNOX SIGNATURE SL22KLV SERIES SL22KLV-036-230A** CBK48MVT-060-230-** 32,600 BTU/h 3-ton 33,200 BTU/h 102% of rated 2.42 10.5 20.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Meets NRCan's −15°C thresholds 216776011

Brands with the most rebate-ready models

Outdoor models whose ENERGY STAR ratings meet NRCan's −15°C thresholds, by brand. Each brand page has the warranty, lines and best models.

Brands by cold-climate model count
BrandMeet NRCan thresholdsAll certified modelsPrice tier
Midea 520 624 Mid-range
Gree 496 527 Mid-range
Innovair, Stelpro, Dettson and Ouellet 207 218 Mid-range
TCL 166 176 Not rated
Hisense 149 198 Mid-range
Mitsubishi Electric 145 231 Premium
Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands 142 275 Budget to premium
Moovair 136 151 Mid-range
Comfort-Aire and Century 124 148 Mid-range
Bryant 119 219 Budget to premium
Carrier 119 201 Budget to premium
ACiQ 109 148 Budget

Compare every brand · All 42 brand pages and every certified name

Get heat pump quotes in the North

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