What Peterborough homeowners need to know about comfort, climate, and long-term value 

If you’ve heard more people talking about heat pumps lately, there’s a good reason: they’re quickly becoming one of the most effective upgrades Canadian homeowners can make, especially here in Peterborough. Almost 70% of GreenUP’s home energy clients in Ontario have installed heat pumps over the last couple of years.  

But are they worth it for your home? Let’s break it down. 

What is a heat pump? 

A heat pump is a two-in-one heating and cooling system. In the winter, it pulls heat from outside air and brings it inside. In the summer, it reverses the process to cool your home—just like an air conditioner. 

Unlike traditional heating systems that burn fossil fuels or use electric resistance (like baseboard heaters), heat pumps move heat, rather than generate it. That makes them far more efficient than standard heating systems. 

What makes heat pumps a good choice? 

1. Year-Round Comfort  

Heat pumps give you consistent heating in the winter and reliable cooling in the summer. They provide a more even temperature throughout the home, with fewer hot and cold spots. 

2.  High energy efficiency means long term value 

Even though heat pumps can cost more to install upfront, they use far less energy than most older systems. That means they tend to cost less to operate over time. 

According to the Canadian Climate Institute, heat pumps are already the lowest-cost option for most Canadian households over the lifetime of the system—even in colder climates. For homeowners currently using oil, propane, or baseboard electric heat, the savings can range from $2,000 to $3,500 per year in operating costs​. That’s a big win for your wallet—and for the environment. 

3.  Lower emissions, cleaner heating 

Heating homes with fossil fuels accounts for the major share of emissions from Canadian homes – and homes make up 24% of Peterborough’s emissions according to the latest data. Switching to an electric heat pump can cut your home’s carbon footprint dramatically—especially in Ontario, where our electricity grid is relatively clean. 

If you’re thinking about making your home more climate-ready, a heat pump is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make. 

4. Built for Canadian winters 

Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are designed to perform efficiently in temperatures as low as -25°C. That means they work even during those icy Peterborough mornings. 

Many systems also come with electric or gas backup options to ensure comfort during extreme cold snaps—although in most homes, when heat pumps are sized correctly, backup systems kick in only occasionally. 

5. Better air quality and indoor health 

Unlike combustion-based systems, heat pumps don’t produce indoor pollutants. They can help maintain better indoor air quality, reduce humidity in the summer, and create a more consistent, draft-free indoor environment. 

What about the cost? 

It’s true that installing a heat pump can come with a higher upfront cost. Anywhere from $6,000 to $18,000, depending on your home’s size, whether electrical upgrades are needed, and whether there is an existing heating system to use as backup. 

That said, many programs, including the Better Homes Peterborough Loan, make it easier to afford. This City-backed program offers low-interest loans for energy efficiency upgrades, including heat pumps. You may also be eligible for additional rebates from Enbridge Gas and other partners. 

And over the life of the system, most homeowners come out ahead: Heat pumps often cost less to own and operate over 15-20 years than gas furnaces and air conditioners. 

Is a heat pump right for my home? 

Heat pumps work well in most Peterborough homes, especially when combined with other upgrades like air sealing and insulation. If your home has a good building envelope, you’ll get even more out of your system. 

The best way to know for sure is to start with a Home Energy Assessment. This gives you a detailed look at how your home uses energy and what upgrades would make the biggest difference. 

So, are heat pumps worth it?  

If you’re looking for a comfortable, low-emissions, and cost-effective way to heat and cool your home, a heat pump is worth serious consideration. 

With local programs like Better Homes Peterborough and national support for greener homes, there’s never been a better time to explore your options. 

How do I get started? 

Our Energy Coach is here to help you navigate the process, understand your options, and connect with incentives. Reach out today and take your first step toward a better home. 

• Call us at 1-888-284-9417
• Email us at betterhomesptbo@envirocentre.ca
• Office hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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Making your Peterborough home more comfortable, efficient, and climate-ready 

If you’ve noticed your home feeling chilly in the winter, stuffy in the summer, or simply not performing the way it should, it might be time to consider an energy retrofit. An energy retrofit refers to upgrades made to your home to improve its energy performance — like sealing air leaks, adding insulation, or installing more efficient heating and cooling systems. 

In Peterborough, where many homes are older and built before today’s efficiency standards, retrofits can make a world of difference in comfort, health, and long-term durability. 

Here are five reasons to take a closer look: 

1. Stay comfortable year-round 

No one likes shivering through the winter or sweating through the summer indoors — but that’s the reality in many homes with poor insulation or air leaks. Cold floors, uneven room temperatures, or hot upstairs bedrooms in summer are common signs of heat escaping (or creeping in) where it shouldn’t. 

Energy retrofits can address these issues head-on. Air sealing—filling in gaps and cracks in your walls, attic, or around windows and doors—helps keep conditioned air where it belongs. Combine that with upgraded insulation in key areas like your attic or basement, and your home becomes far better at holding a steady, comfortable temperature throughout the year. 

2. Cut down on energy waste 

Even if your furnace or air conditioner is in good shape, it can only do so much if your home is constantly losing heated or cooled air. Drafty windows, unsealed ducts, and uninsulated walls or floors allow energy to escape—and that means more strain on your systems and more resources used than necessary. 

By focusing on the building envelope—the physical barrier between the inside and outside of your home—an energy retrofit reduces this waste significantly. Sealing leaks and boosting insulation levels ensures your home holds onto the energy you pay for. It’s a smart way to reduce your impact without changing your lifestyle. 

3. Make your home work more efficiently, not harder 

If you’re still relying on a gas furnace or baseboard electric heaters, you might be surprised at how much more efficient newer systems can be. One of the most impactful upgrades is switching to a heat pump. 

Heat pumps are all-in-one heating and cooling systems that move heat rather than generate it. In the winter, they draw warmth from the outdoor air (even in cold temperatures) and bring it inside. In the summer, they reverse the process and keep your home cool. Because they don’t burn fuel, they’re not only more efficient—they also produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. They’re a cornerstone of modern, energy-efficient homes. 

4. Prepare for the future 

Climate change is already reshaping how we think about our homes. In the coming decades, homes that are resilient, energy-efficient, and low-carbon will be the norm, not the exception. And thanks to programs like the Better Homes Peterborough Loan Program, it’s easier than ever to get started. 

The program offers low-interest loans from the City of Peterborough to help residents complete energy-efficient upgrades—like air sealing, windows, insulation, and heat pumps. Combined with other programs there’s real momentum behind making homes in Peterborough more climate-ready. Getting started today means your home will be ready for tomorrow. 

5. It’s a long-term investment in your home 

More and more Peterborough homeowners are choosing to complete important energy retrofits on their homes. Energy retrofits are an essential action on one of a homeowner’s largest investments.  Whether you plan to stay in your home for decades or think you might sell   in the shorter term, upgrades like air sealing, windows, insulation, and heat pumps add real, tangible value. A modernized home provides an advantage to the seller, increasing buyer interest and supporting higher market valuations.  

Curious about what’s right for your home? 

Every home is different, and the best retrofit plan depends on your home’s age, structure, and condition. A home energy assessment is a great first step—it identifies where your home is losing energy and offers personalized recommendations to improve it.

Reach out to our Energy Coach today to find out how the Better Homes Peterborough Loan Program can help you increase the comfort of your home.  

Thinking about making your home more comfortable, energy-efficient, and affordable? The Better Homes Peterborough program can help.

This innovative program offers low-interest loans and access to energy rebates to help homeowners make upgrades that lower energy bills, reduce emissions, and improve year-round comfort.

Join us for a free lunchtime webinar to learn how the program works, what types of upgrades are eligible, and how to get started.

📅 Date: May 22
🕒 Time: 12:00 PM
💻 Register here

The Better Homes Peterborough program is delivered by the City of Peterborough, in partnership with EnviroCentre, GreenUP, and Kawartha Credit Union.