If you’re trying to choose from the best heat pumps for your home this year, you’re weighing the right decision at the right time.
Cold climate heat pumps handle your heating and cooling in one system, run more efficiently than most Eastern Ontario homes use today, and qualify for government rebates that cover a real share of the cost.
Cold climate heat pumps have come a long way, and they hold their own through a real Ontario winter. You’re in good company too: as of March 2026, Ontario homeowners had installed more than 105,000 heat pumps with federal support since 2020, the most of any province.
So, the question isn’t whether a heat pump makes sense. It’s which one is right for your home and your budget.
At ATEL Air, we’ve been keeping Eastern Ontario homes comfortable since 1949. We believe in doing the job right the first time, and only install equipment we believe in.
Here are the four systems we recommend most, with the honest trade-offs that come with each.
Air Source Heat Pump Comparison Chart
| Brand | Model | Price | Warranty | Highlights |
| Moovair | Central-Moov (MSHMA series) | Mid | 12 years | Newest refrigerant & greatest long-term reliability |
| Mitsubishi | Zuba (P-Series) | Premium | 12 years | Longest track record of any brand & quietest |
| Kinghome | Ultranixx (KU series) | Economical | 12 years | Our best seller |
| Kinghome Eco | Ultranixx Eco (KD series) | Most Economical | 12 years | Priced like an air conditioner, but quieter, rebate eligible, and it heats. Recommended when paired with a furnace. |
Trusted Cold Climate Heat Pump Brands
Here are the brands and models we install most often in homes in Eastern Ontario. Each one earns its place for a different reason.
Moovair
The Moovair Central-Moov line (MSHMA series) is for homeowners who want the most future-proof system on this list.
Here’s why we recommend it:
- Uses the newest refrigerant. Central-Moov runs on R-454B, while older refrigerants like R-410A carry a much higher global warming potential and are being phased down across Canada. If your system needs refrigerant during a repair in the next 15 years, it will still be available and reasonably priced.
- Rated for Canadian winters. The MSHMA series delivers 100% of its rated heating capacity down to -20°C and keeps working as low as -30°C.
- Great cooling performance. It reaches up to 19 SEER2 on cooling.
Consideration
Moovair can be trusted to last, but it comes at a higher price point. If you’d rather buy once and not think about refrigerant availability in the foreseeable future, that is the difference you’re paying for with Moovair.
Mitsubishi
Most brands in the heat pump market are new to it. Mitsubishi isn’t.
Mitsubishi Electric has been in business since 1921 and building heat pump units for decades, long before cold-climate models were something Canadian homeowners considered. This track record includes a reputation for quality products and great customer support.
Here’s why we recommend it:
- Extremely quiet. Mitsubishi outdoor Zuba units are as quiet as 47 decibels. If your new heat pump sits under a bedroom window, this is the one to look at.
- Commercial-grade quality. Properly maintained, these units last. 20 years isn’t unusual, and we’ve seen longer from Mitsubishi heating and cooling equipment.
- Hyper-Heat holds up in the cold. The Zuba delivers 100% of its rated heating capacity at -15°C and keeps running down to -30°C.
Consideration
Mitsubishi is the most expensive option in this list. You’re paying for the track record, the commercial-grade build, and the quietness. For many homeowners, that’s money well spent.
Kinghome
You probably haven’t heard of Kinghome, which has been operating globally for some time but only reached North America in 2019. They’re bringing the entry price down far enough that a lot more Eastern Ontario homeowners can make the switch.
The Ultranixx (KU) and Ultranixx Eco (KD) are our best sellers. Here’s why we recommend them:
- Low price point. This is the most affordable route into a new heat pump we can offer you.
- Excellent smart thermostat compatibility. Both models work well with smart home thermostats like Ecobee, Google Nest, and others.
Consideration
Kinghome uses R-410A rather than the newest refrigerant. R-410A is still legal to buy and use for servicing existing equipment, and it’s available today. But it’s being phased down under Canada’s regulations on hydrofluorocarbons, with further reductions in 2029 and 2034 on the way to an 85% cut by 2036.
Practically, if your system needs refrigerant in 15 years, it will likely cost more than it does now. That’s the honest reason these systems cost less.
What Makes These Two Models Different
The Ultranixx (KU) runs efficiently down to -30°C and handles your heating and cooling in one system. It reaches up to 17 SEER2 and runs at 56 dB(A).
The Ultranixx Eco (KD) is the less expensive of the two, and it works down to -15°C rather than -30°C. That makes it a great fit if you’re keeping your gas furnace to do the heavy lifting through the coldest weeks of winter. It’s designed to pair with most popular gas furnace brands.
We often recommend the Eco instead of a straight air conditioner replacement. It costs about the same as an AC, it’s quieter, it’s rebate-eligible, and it heats efficiently through spring and fall, as well as cooling all summer.
Heat Pump Rebates
Air source heat pump units qualify for government rebates through the Home Renovation Savings Program, which is run by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, and supported by the Ontario government.
Your rebate amount depends on how you currently heat your home:
- Electricity, oil, propane, or wood: $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500.
- Enbridge Gas customers on natural gas: $500 per ton, up to $2,000.
This means that if you’re keeping your gas furnace and pairing it with an Ultranixx Eco, you’re likely in the $2,000 rebate tier. We’d rather tell you up front, than have you surprised by this later.
A few other conditions apply:
- The rebate is for first-time heat pump installations, so replacing an existing heat pump doesn’t qualify.
- The new system has to be on Natural Resources Canada’s qualified products list.
- You need pre-approval before installation, not after (no home energy assessment is required for heat pumps).
Other conditions apply, and program rebates generally can’t be combined with other offers. We’ve walked many Eastern Ontario homeowners through this.
We’ll tell you which tier you’re in, what your system qualifies for, and we’ll handle the paperwork.
Our Heat Pump Process
- Book a free, no-obligation consultation.
A cold climate heat pump specialist goes through your options, confirms your rebate eligibility, and gives you a complete quote with nothing hidden at the end.
- We submit your rebate documents for pre-approval.
If you qualify, this comes before anything gets installed, so we get it moving right away.
- Our technicians arrive at the time we booked.
Not a window, an actual time. Most cold climate heat pump installations take two to three hours.
- Your rebate cheque arrives within 60 days of post-installation approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do heat pump units require regular maintenance?
Yes. A heat pump runs year-round rather than seasonally, so annual heat pump maintenance matters more than it does on a furnace that sits idle all summer. A tune-up also keeps your manufacturer warranty valid, which is worth protecting.
Is there financing available to purchase a heat pump?
Yes. We offer several payment plans through our partner, Financeit. You can apply for financing online, and we’ll show you how a monthly payment compares against what you’re spending on heating now.
Are heat pump units more expensive than an air conditioner?
Usually yes upfront, though not always. Entry-level models are often priced around the same as a comparable air conditioner, and heat pump rebates further close the gap. Over the life of the system, a heat pump is the more economical choice because you’re getting efficient heating from equipment you were buying for cooling anyway.
Why Choose ATEL Air
Three generations of our family have built this business and our team on honest advice, expert installation, and service you can count on. Arthur Thom started ATEL by wiring a barn in 1949, and we’ve been serving Eastern Ontario ever since, from Morrisburg and Winchester to Cornwall, Brockville, and Kemptville.
This means we know the homes here: the century-old farmhouses, the non gas heated homes, and homes with additions lacking dedicated ductwork. Our quotes include HST and all costs upfront; we book an exact arrival time rather than a vague window, and we test rather than guess.
We also have a 4.9/5-star rating on Google from 700+ customers. Read what our customers say.
Ready to Find the Right Heat Pump for Your Home?
The best cold climate heat pump for your neighbour’s house might not be the right one for yours. It depends on how your home is heated today, whether you’re keeping your furnace, and which rebate tier you’re in.
A conversation sorts that out fast.
Request your free quote online or call us at 613-535-2720, and we’ll walk you through the right system without any sales pressure or obligation.