Retrofitting Canadian Homes for Energy Savings: Oil to Electric Conversion

Extreme Canadian temperatures mean we often must rely on heating and air conditioning to keep our homes comfortable throughout the year. But this constant use of energy has a big impact on our utility bills and the environment, particularly in rural areas where oil is often used for heating and less expensive fuel sources may not be available.

This is especially true when it comes to heating in sub-zero weather. Research shows that Canadian households spend more energy for space heating than all other end-uses combined. But energy consumption only goes up when households are using older heating systems, and even more so when using oil to heat a home.

The desire for lower energy bills and carbon emissions is familiar for the Boivins, who used to spend over $6,000 a year on utility bills and $4,000 alone on oil.

Located in Campbellford, Ontario in a rural community not serviced by natural gas, their 1,800-square-foot bungalow was built in the early 1970s and relied on an oil furnace for heating. It has three bedrooms, one bathroom and a large masonry fireplace in the centre of the living room.

With little insulation and set on top of a hill that makes it vulnerable to heavy winds, the house suffers from air gaps and cold drafts. So, the family decided to invest in a new energy-efficient heating solution that works better for their wallet and the planet. The new heating system needed to perform well even in extreme cold temperatures.

As the owners of René's Total Home Comfort - a company dedicated to providing customers with quality heating and cooling solutions such as stoves, furnaces, air conditioners and custom ductwork - the Boivin family was familiar with their options and knew where to find the best products.

In this case they needed a centrally ducted cold-climate system. They selected the Mitsubishi Electric Zuba heat pump. Designed to be ultra efficient in cold climates, the heat pump is the ideal solution for keeping their space warm in winter while saving money on their energy bills.

In fact, a study conducted by Natural Resources Canada found that homeowners using high-performance heat-pump systems can save 59% on heating costs, or $9.57 a day, over oil furnaces, depending on the region and home performance level.^[i]

This is because heat pumps use the same vapour compression technology found in refrigerators and air conditioners to move heat inside. The result is not only lower utility bills, but also reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a heating solution that is better for homeowners and the environment.

"The Zuba heat pump is very, very efficient and has been a great install - we can't believe the savings." - Nancy Boivin, Homeowner

ⁱ Natural Resources Canada, “National Energy Use Database,” 2016.

^[i]Based on a 2014 Study by Natural Resources Canada comparing electric baseboard heating vs. a heat pump. Potential savings may vary depending on type of equipment, personal lifestyle, system settings, equipment maintenance, and installation of equipment.