CENTRAL HEAT PUMPS • SERVICE • REPAIR • MAINTENANCE • INSTALLATION • REPLACEMENT
Central heat pump service, repair & installation in Toronto and the GTA.
DAVESDUCTS services, diagnoses, repairs, maintains, replaces and installs applicable central air-source heat pumps and cold-climate heat-pump systems. Whether your existing heat pump is not heating, not cooling, icing excessively, making unusual noise or displaying a fault — or you are planning a new hybrid or all-electric system — we can evaluate the complete HVAC system.
SERVICE & REPAIR
Already have a central heat pump? We can service and repair it.
A heat pump problem does not automatically mean the equipment needs replacement. DAVESDUCTS can diagnose applicable heat-pump systems and determine whether maintenance, repair, system correction or replacement is appropriate.
No Heat / Poor Heating
Diagnose applicable refrigeration, airflow, controls, defrost, auxiliary-heat and equipment concerns when the system is not delivering expected heating.
No Cooling
Investigate applicable refrigeration, coil, fan, airflow and control problems affecting cooling performance.
Faults / No Start
Use the manufacturer, model, displayed fault and operating symptoms to diagnose the underlying condition.
Defrost / Icing Concerns
Some frost and defrost operation is normal in heating mode. Abnormal icing or repeated operating problems should be diagnosed rather than assumed to be normal.
Noise / Fan Problems
Investigate abnormal outdoor-unit noise, fan operation, vibration and other applicable mechanical concerns.
Repair vs Replacement
Where equipment condition, age or parts availability makes repair impractical, we can review replacement options and the rest of the HVAC system.
BEFORE THE SERVICE CALL
Send us the manufacturer, model number, fault code and photos.
Photos of the outdoor unit, indoor furnace or air handler, thermostat and rating plates — plus a description of exactly what the system is doing — can help us prepare for the diagnostic visit.
HOW CENTRAL HEAT PUMPS WORK
One refrigeration system provides both heating and cooling.
A heat pump moves heat between indoors and outdoors. In summer it operates much like a central air conditioner. In heating mode the refrigeration cycle reverses and transfers available heat from the outdoor air into the home.
SUMMER
Whole-Home Cooling
The system absorbs heat from indoor air and rejects it outdoors.
WINTER
Heat From Outdoor Air
The refrigeration cycle reverses and moves available outdoor heat indoors.
DISTRIBUTION
Central Ductwork
The furnace or air handler moves conditioned air through the home’s supply and return duct system.
CAPACITY
Inverter Operation
Many modern systems use inverter-driven compressors that can vary output as load and operating conditions change.
SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS
A central heat pump does not automatically mean removing your furnace.
There are several ways to incorporate a heat pump into a central HVAC system. The right configuration depends on the home, existing equipment, heating load, electrical capacity, ductwork and owner’s objectives.
Heat Pump + Gas Furnace
Often described as hybrid or dual-fuel, this configuration uses the heat pump for heating and cooling while a compatible gas furnace remains available as an alternate or supplemental heat source according to the system design and controls.
Heat Pump + Air Handler
An all-electric configuration pairs the outdoor heat pump with compatible indoor air-handling equipment. Supplemental electric heat may be incorporated where required by the equipment design and heating load.
Existing Furnace Retrofit
In some homes, an appropriate heat pump and indoor coil can be integrated with an existing compatible furnace. Airflow, controls, electrical requirements and equipment compatibility should be verified before proceeding.
Complete HVAC Replacement
When aging heating and cooling equipment is being replaced, the entire system can be designed together around heating and cooling loads, ductwork, controls and available electrical service.
COLD-CLIMATE PERFORMANCE
Not every heat pump performs the same way in an Ontario winter.
Cold-climate equipment is designed for low outdoor temperatures, but heating capacity, efficiency, minimum operating temperature and defrost behaviour are model-specific. Equipment should be selected using the actual heating requirements of the home and the published performance of the proposed system.
Heating Capacity
Confirm how much heating capacity the exact equipment can provide as outdoor temperature falls.
Supplemental Heat
Determine what alternate or supplemental heating is appropriate for the design conditions and chosen system configuration.
Controls
Hybrid and all-electric systems require a control strategy appropriate to the installed equipment and intended heating sequence.
SYSTEM DESIGN
The outdoor heat pump is only one part of the system.
Central heat-pump performance depends heavily on the indoor equipment, ductwork, airflow, controls and building load. Simply replacing an outdoor unit does not correct an undersized return system, restrictive ductwork or an improperly configured indoor system.
Heating & Cooling Loads
Equipment selection should consider the actual requirements of the house rather than automatically matching the nominal size of the old equipment.
Ductwork & Static Pressure
The supply and return system needs to move the airflow required by the selected indoor equipment.
Indoor Equipment
The furnace, air handler and indoor coil must be appropriate for the selected heat-pump system and required airflow.
Electrical Capacity
The outdoor unit, indoor equipment and applicable supplemental electric heat all affect project electrical requirements.
Thermostat & Controls
Controls should be configured around the actual system, especially when a heat pump is paired with a gas furnace or supplemental electric heat.
Condensate & Drainage
Cooling operation produces condensate at the indoor coil, so drainage remains part of a proper central heat-pump installation.
INSTALLATION PROCESS
From assessment through commissioning.
A central heat-pump project should be treated as a complete HVAC-system project rather than an outdoor-unit swap.
01
Assess
Review the existing furnace or air handler, ductwork, electrical service, equipment space and current system configuration.
02
Design
Establish the heating strategy and select compatible outdoor equipment, indoor equipment, controls and accessories.
03
Install
Complete the applicable refrigeration, condensate, duct/plenum, control and related project work.
04
Commission
Verify applicable operation, airflow, controls, heating and cooling performance and manufacturer commissioning requirements.
MAINTENANCE
Maintain the complete heat-pump system — not just the outdoor unit.
Central heat-pump maintenance should consider the outdoor equipment, indoor coil, furnace or air handler, filters, airflow, condensate system and controls as applicable to the installed configuration.
Outdoor Equipment
Inspect accessible coil condition, fan operation, clearances and operating condition as appropriate.
Indoor Equipment
Inspect the applicable air handler or furnace, indoor coil, filter and accessible components affecting heat-pump operation.
Airflow & Controls
Review applicable airflow and control operation, particularly on hybrid systems where equipment sequencing matters.
REPLACEMENT & RETROFIT
Replacing an air conditioner with a heat pump can change the whole HVAC strategy.
If the home already has a furnace and central air conditioning, a heat pump may be considered when the air conditioner reaches replacement age. But compatibility, airflow, coil selection, controls and the intended winter heating strategy should be evaluated before treating the project as a simple AC replacement.
AC-to-Heat-Pump Conversion
Replace central cooling equipment with a compatible heat pump that can also contribute to winter heating.
Hybrid Retrofit
Where appropriate, retain a compatible gas furnace and integrate the new heat pump as part of a controlled hybrid system.
All-Electric Conversion
Where the building and electrical infrastructure support it, evaluate an appropriate heat-pump and air-handler configuration.
EQUIPMENT OPTIONS
Match the equipment to the application — not the other way around.
Central heat-pump technology is available from multiple manufacturers. DAVESDUCTS can evaluate appropriate equipment based on capacity, low-temperature performance, indoor-equipment compatibility, controls, serviceability, availability and project requirements.
Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric offers ducted cold-climate heat-pump systems including Hyper-Heating technology. Current model-specific capacity and performance should be confirmed for each project rather than relying on older published specifications.
Other Central Heat-Pump Systems
DAVESDUCTS can also assess appropriate central heat-pump equipment from other manufacturers depending on the project requirements, equipment availability and compatibility.
REBATES & INCENTIVES
Check current eligibility before selecting equipment.
Heat-pump incentive programs, qualifying equipment lists and eligibility requirements can change. Confirm the current program requirements before assuming a particular system or project qualifies.
CUSTOM HOMES & MAJOR RENOVATIONS
Plan the heat pump with the rest of the mechanical system.
For custom homes and major renovations, the central heat pump can be coordinated with duct design, hydronic heating, ventilation, filtration, controls and electrical planning before construction limits the available options.
Duct Design
Design supply and return air around the selected equipment and room requirements rather than inheriting existing duct limitations.
Mechanical Integration
Coordinate the heat pump with furnaces, hydronic air handlers, radiant heating, HRV/ERV ventilation and IAQ equipment where applicable.
Commissioning & Ongoing Service
DAVESDUCTS can install the system and remain involved with maintenance, diagnostics and repairs throughout its service life.
SERVICE REQUEST
What should you send us?
- Project address / municipality
- Manufacturer and model number of the outdoor heat pump
- Manufacturer and model number of the furnace or air handler
- Photos of all equipment rating plates
- Thermostat / control photos and any displayed fault code
- Description of the problem and when it occurs
- Whether the problem affects heating, cooling or both
- Photos showing abnormal icing, leakage or other visible concerns where applicable
- For replacement/new installation: approximate home size and existing HVAC information
CENTRAL HEAT PUMP FAQ
Service, repair and installation questions.
Does DAVESDUCTS repair central heat pumps?
Yes. DAVESDUCTS diagnoses and repairs applicable central air-source heat pumps and cold-climate heat-pump systems, in addition to maintaining, replacing and installing them.
Can DAVESDUCTS service a heat pump it did not install?
Yes, for applicable equipment within our service scope. Send the manufacturer, model numbers, fault code if present, equipment photos and symptoms when requesting service.
Can a central heat pump replace my air conditioner?
Yes. A central heat pump provides cooling like a central air conditioner and can also reverse its refrigeration cycle to provide heating.
Do I have to remove my gas furnace?
No. A compatible central heat pump can be paired with a gas furnace in an appropriately designed hybrid or dual-fuel system.
Can a heat pump work with my existing furnace?
Sometimes. The furnace, indoor coil, blower airflow, controls, electrical requirements and selected heat-pump equipment must be evaluated for compatibility.
Can a heat pump heat my home during an Ontario winter?
Cold-climate heat pumps are designed for low-temperature operation, but actual capacity varies by equipment and outdoor temperature. The proposed system should be evaluated against the home’s heating load and intended supplemental-heating strategy.
Is frost on the outdoor heat pump normal in winter?
Some frost can occur during heating operation and heat pumps use defrost cycles to manage it. Persistent or excessive icing, abnormal operation or loss of heating performance should be diagnosed.
Why is my heat pump blowing cool air in heating mode?
Heat-pump supply-air temperatures can feel different from furnace heat, and operation can also change during defrost. If the home is not maintaining temperature or operation appears abnormal, the system should be assessed.
Does a central heat pump need maintenance?
Yes. Appropriate maintenance includes the outdoor equipment and applicable indoor equipment, filtration, airflow, condensate system and controls.
Should I repair or replace my heat pump?
That depends on the diagnosis, age, equipment condition, parts availability, refrigerant system, installation quality and expected remaining service life. Diagnosis should come before assuming replacement is necessary.
Does my ductwork matter with a heat pump?
Yes. Central heat pumps depend on the duct system to deliver the required airflow. Restrictive supply or return ductwork can affect comfort and system performance.
Are heat-pump rebates available?
Programs and eligibility requirements can change. Review the current DAVESDUCTS heat-pump rebate page and confirm qualification before equipment is selected or work begins.
SERVICE • REPAIR • MAINTENANCE • REPLACEMENT • INSTALLATION
Need help with a central heat pump?
DAVESDUCTS can diagnose and repair your existing heat pump, maintain the system, replace aging equipment or design and install a new hybrid or all-electric central heat-pump system around your home.
