When Nicole Hacault, a Winnipeg realtor and mom of two, first learned about heat pumps through home inspections for her job, she was surprised by how many people in a city known for its cold winters were already using them.
Until recently in Manitoba and across Canada, the general understanding was that heat pumps don’t make sense in colder climates.
“Heat pump technology has improved so that we can start using these in Manitoba. That’s why as a family, when our furnace and our air conditioner died, we swapped over to a heat pump that heats and cools our home,” says Nicole.
A heat pump is an energy-efficient system that heats and cools a home by transferring heat—pulling warmth from outside air in winter and moving heat outdoors in summer—instead of generating heat directly.
As someone who loves getting outside and camping and hiking with her family, Nicole is concerned about how the weather is changing in the province she holds dear.
“Being outside (with my kids) is the best.”
Nicole Hacault skates with her family on a frozen river in Winnipeg, embracing outdoor winter traditions in a city known for its extreme cold (All photos submitted).
Weather or Not
Nicole has noticed that the seasons in Winnipeg are different than they once were.
“The weather in Manitoba is shifting. At the end of November there was still no snow, it was 10 degrees.”
She worries about the freeze-thaw patterns she is seeing more frequently during Winnipeg winters.
“Freeze-thaw is not good for our foundations.”
Her concerns also stem from recent Manitoba summers.
“Much of Manitoba was on fire this summer. It’s not good. The fires were northeast of Winnipeg, but I hardly saw the sun because there was so much smoke. We had to be inside for so many days due to so much smoke.”
Especially given these changes, Nicole says heat pumps make good sense in Manitoba.
“I’m scared. What we went through this summer is a drop in the bucket and it’s going to happen again. It’s scary as someone who has kids, I worry about their future. That’s why heat pumps make sense, even small changes are good.”
In terms of real estate, she adds that it is becoming harder to get insurance on properties during wildfire months, which directly affects her work.
Nicole hopes for a future where her children can safely go outside and enjoy smoke-free summers. Her kids, aged 9 and 12, understood why the family chose a more efficient heat pump.
Nicole at a Winnipeg property she sold, reflecting her work as a realtor and her growing focus on energy-efficient homes such as those using heat pumps.
Practicality of Heat Pumps in a Cold Climate
Many people worry that a heat pump wouldn’t work in Manitoba’s climate, but Nicole says this isn’t true.
“Our heat pump kicks off at -15. Even 5-10 years ago it would be too cold for a heat pump to run. Now it will be fully operational in December and there are weeks of thaw in January and February where I’m able to use it. A total of 2 months in the year I can’t use it. And before it would have been 5- 6 months I couldn’t use it.”
Because most Winnipeg homes already rely on air conditioning and Manitoba’s electricity comes largely from hydroelectric power, heat pumps make practical sense by providing efficient, electric heating in winter and cooling during hot, smoky summers—even in a cold climate.
Nicole went through the Canada Greener Homes Loan, and says the overall experience was positive. Unfortunately this grant is no longer available, however the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program is operational and can offset $10,000 of the purchase of a heat pump for those with an oil furnace.
“The process is relatively smooth. It’s been decently easy to navigate. We spent $15,000 on a heat pump and a new furnace and will get $6,000 back. Cheaper than if we bought a new furnace and air conditioner.”
After having the heat pump for a year and a half, she has noticed a reduction in her energy bills, and her husband, Chris, is especially pleased with the financial savings that come with having a heat pump.
“Our bills have gone down ever so slightly, $10 a month. But I compare it to other people’s bills which have gone up astronomically, as the cost of hydro has gone up.”
The family replaced a high-efficiency gas furnace in their 2005 bungalow.
Beyond financial savings, they’ve noticed other benefits as well.
“The heat pump is quieter, when it’s running it’s silent and air conditioning mode is colder. It keeps the house freezing cold in the summer,” says Nicole.
Through her work, Nicole has met many people who have installed an electric furnace alongside their heat pump.
“That’s a great thing,” she says.
Nicole hopes energy-efficient technologies like heat pumps will help ensure a safer, more liveable life for her children in Manitoba.
Spreading the Heat Pump Word
Nicole says that overall in Manitoba, heat pumps are still relatively unheard of, though people are beginning to hear more about them.
“It’s not on their radar. I have a lot of conversations with people (about heat pumps).”
One area she would like to see improve is how furnace companies communicate with customers about heat pumps. She says the companies she contacted were not fully informed about heat pumps.
“We have a long way to go in terms of our furnace companies (getting on board).”
Nicole has also heard that some cities in Canada are creating bylaws requiring new developments to use newer, more energy-efficient technologies such as heat pumps.
“I think this would be fantastic. We have a lot of codes in place for new builds that are bringing in efficiencies and I can see this additional step happening here eventually. More and more people are optioning to upgrade their homes where possible to be efficient, so making it mandatory would make sense. ”
“My children give me hope. The younger generation is a stronger and emotionally aware generation. They are more well-rounded humans as a whole, and are more concerned. They are going to do a lot better than the (previous generations).”
She believes heat pumps are for everyone in Manitoba and beyond, because they provide non-polluting comfort for summer heat and smoke, and cold winters too, and she plans to keep spreading the word.
“Heat pumps are something people should consider. It’s a fantastic thing and we’ve had no issues.
