Heat pumps in Ontario

Abstract

More than 60% of household energy consumption in Ontario is for heating. Home heating needs in Ontario are driven by exterior temperatures that fluctuate throughout the day. Ontario's electricity is generated from a different mix of primary energy sources from hour to hour. Using average hourly data for the electricity generation mix and hourly outside temperature data for each month of the year, we estimate residential heating loads and the electricity demands due to the use of three models of heat pump. Then we calculate the resultant greenhouse gas emissions and compare them to emissions if heat pumps are not used. We determine heating needs of single detached dwellings using prototypical average Ontario homes and building simulation software. Using heat pumps in all of these dwellings can reduce heating-related greenhouse gas emissions between 15% and 85% during January, the harshest month of the year. Using heat pumps could also reduce energy consumption for heating by between 12% and 68%, while requiring an approximate 5–25% increase in electricity demand. Heat pumps can provide a significant portion of home heat needs whilst reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Operating costs are lower than that of electric and oil heating, but similar to natural gas heating.