Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency | Heating and Air Conditioning | Kingston
Imagine a home in Kingston that stays perfectly warm on bone-chilling January nights and refreshingly cool during the thick of July—yet your utility bills barely budge. HEP makes this possible by combining cutting-edge heating and air conditioning upgrades with smart, data-driven energy assessments. Our certified technicians pinpoint the exact spots where your system wastes power, then replace or retrofit equipment so every kilowatt and cubic foot of gas works to your advantage.
The result is year-round comfort you can feel, savings you can measure, and a lighter footprint you can be proud of. From high-efficiency heat pumps to whisper-quiet AC units, we tailor each solution to Kingston’s unique climate and your unique lifestyle, backing everything with transparent pricing and friendly, local support. Step into a home that performs as well as it feels—HEP is ready when you are.
FAQs
How can I improve the energy efficiency of my existing furnace or air conditioner in Kingston’s climate?
Start with the low-cost steps: replace or wash filters every 1–3 months, keep supply and return vents clear of furniture, and program your thermostat to set-back 2–3 °C when you are sleeping or away. Seal obvious air leaks around windows, doors and duct joints with caulking or foil tape; leaky ductwork can waste up to 30 % of the conditioned air you pay to heat or cool. A professional tune-up once a year includes cleaning the burners/evaporator coil, checking refrigerant charge and testing airflow, all of which can boost seasonal efficiency by 5–15 %. Finally, consider adding attic insulation to at least R-60 and upgrading to ENERGY STAR® variable-speed equipment when your current unit nears the end of its life.
Is switching to a heat pump a good option for Kingston homes, and will it work in our cold winters?
Yes. Modern cold-climate air-source heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently down to –25 °C and can supply 60–90 % of a typical Kingston home’s annual heating needs at a fraction of the cost of electric baseboards or older gas furnaces. They also provide high-efficiency air conditioning in summer. Look for a unit with a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ≥ 10 and variable-speed inverter technology. In many retrofits we recommend keeping the existing furnace as an auxiliary system for the coldest snaps; the smart controls will automatically choose the least-cost fuel. A professional load calculation is essential to size the heat pump correctly and ensure comfort year-round.
What rebates or incentives are available in Kingston for upgrading to high-efficiency HVAC equipment?
Homeowners can currently access two main programs: (1) The Canada Greener Homes Grant offers up to $5,000 toward eligible measures such as ENERGY STAR® heat pumps, smart thermostats, and insulation upgrades. It also refunds up to $600 of the cost of the required pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluations. (2) Enbridge Gas offers additional rebates—up to $5,000—when you install qualifying high-efficiency boilers, furnaces (96 % AFUE or higher), or hybrid heat pump systems. Both programs can be stacked, potentially covering a large share of your project. Our team can guide you through the paperwork and connect you with a certified energy advisor.
How do I know what size heating or cooling system my home really needs?
Bigger is rarely better. An oversized furnace or A/C will short-cycle, wasting energy and causing uneven temperatures and humidity swings. We perform a Manual J (CSA F280 in Canada) heat-loss/heat-gain calculation that considers your home’s insulation levels, window types, orientation, air leakage and even internal loads like appliances. In Kingston, the design winter temperature is –23 °C and the summer design is 30 °C with 50 % RH—values we feed into the software to model your specific conditions. The result is a right-sized system that runs longer, quieter and at its peak efficiency.
How often should I service my HVAC equipment to keep it running efficiently?
Schedule professional maintenance once a year for each system: a furnace tune-up in early fall and an air-conditioner or heat-pump service in spring. The technician will clean the blower, burners and coils, lubricate bearings, check safety controls, calibrate the thermostat and verify refrigerant pressures. Neglected units can lose 5 % efficiency every season and are more prone to unexpected breakdowns. Between visits, change filters regularly, keep outdoor condensers free of leaves and snow, and make sure the condensate drain is clear.
Are smart thermostats really worth it, and can you install them for me?
Absolutely. Studies by Natural Resources Canada show that ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostats save the average household 8–12 % on heating and 15 % on cooling by learning your schedule, using geofencing and optimizing equipment run-time. Many models also provide monthly energy reports and maintenance reminders. We supply and professionally install smart thermostats that are compatible with gas furnaces, heat pumps and dual-fuel systems, and we’ll help you connect them to Wi-Fi and set up energy-saving schedules. Rebates of $75–$125 are often available from utilities, further reducing the payback period.