How to evaluate a heat pump yourself
Which spec-sheet numbers really matter?
Four numbers: heating capacity at low temperature, COP at low temperature, HSPF2 and the lowest operating temperature. The rated capacity on the AHRI certificate is measured at 8.3 °C (47 °F) and −8.3 °C (17 °F) (NEEP specification); it does not tell you what the unit delivers in deep cold.
| Number | Verified benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Heating capacity at −15 °C (5 °F) | Close to your heat loss at −15 °C, or backup heat planned for the gap | The NEEP list publishes capacity down to −15 °C (NRCan guide) |
| Capacity at −25 °C or at your design temperature | NRCan Option 4D: close to the design load (higher to do without backup heat) | NRCan guide; “lowest cataloged temperature” in the NEEP list |
| COP at −15 °C | ≥ 1.75 (ENERGY STAR Cold Climate; NEEP, at maximum capacity) | ENERGY STAR, NEEP v4.0 |
| Capacity retained at −15 °C | ≥ 70% of capacity at 8.3 °C (ENERGY STAR Cold Climate) | ENERGY STAR |
| HSPF2 | ENERGY STAR Cold Climate: ≥ 8.5 ductless, ≥ 8.1 ducted | ENERGY STAR (HSPF2 calculated for Region IV) |
| HSPF Region V | Canadian minimum 7.1; market 7.1 to 13.2 | NRCan : Region 5 covers most of southern Canada |
| Lowest operating temperature | Standard: generally down to −8 °C; low-temperature: down to −20 °C | Québec.ca; check the manufacturer’s data sheet |
| Outdoor unit noise | Most: 76 dB or less; check the municipal bylaw | NRCan, Hydro-Québec |
| Warranty | Often 1 year parts and labour, plus 5 to 10 years on the compressor; service life 15 to 20 years | NRCan |
| Defrost | Demand defrost control | NRCan, Hydro-Québec |
How do you compare capacity with your heat loss?
First work out the home’s heat loss at the design temperature: an order of magnitude with thequick estimate, then validate with the heat-loss calculator. The NRCan guide assumes a load proportional to the difference from 15.6 °C (equation 4). Site calculation: in Montréal (−23 °C), the load at −15 °C is about 79% of the design load; in Québec City (−25 °C), about 75%.
Below the balance point, the temperature at which the heat pump’s capacity equals the heat loss, backup heat covers the gap. NRCan suggests targeting the load at −8.3 °C (Option 4C, with backup) or the design load (Option 4D, often with a cold-climate model) and strongly recommends the manufacturer’s extended performance data (NRCan guide).
What does “cold climate” mean: ENERGY STAR, NEEP or LogisVert?
Three lists, three definitions. A model can be on one and not on another: check each with the system’s exact AHRI number.
| List | Main requirement | What the list shows |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | COP ≥ 1.75 at −15 °C; capacity at −15 °C ≥ 70% of capacity at 8.3 °C; HSPF2 ≥ 8.5 (ductless) or ≥ 8.1 (ducted); controls verification | Certification and system ratings |
| NEEP ccASHP v4.0 | Variable-capacity compressor; COP ≥ 1.75 at −15 °C at maximum capacity; HSPF2 ≥ 8.5 (ductless) or ≥ 7.7 (ducted) | Minimum, rated and maximum capacity and COP at 8.3 °C, −8.3 °C, −15 °C and the lowest cataloged temperature; HSPF2 Regions IV and V |
| LogisVert (Hydro-Québec) | ENERGY STAR certified system; “cold climate” type: $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at −8 °C instead of $50 | AHRI number, capacity at −8 °C and rebate per model |
Does the model qualify for LogisVert?
Since November 26, 2025, the complete system must be new, ENERGY STAR certified, have an outdoor unit of at least 12,000 BTU/h (nominal cooling capacity), be bought in Québec and be installed by a company holding the appropriate RBQ licences. The rebate is based on the capacity at −8 °C shown in the list, and the invoice must show the AHRI or ENERGY STAR number (Hydro-Québec). Details: 2026–2027 rebates.
What is the AHRI certificate for?
The AHRI number identifies one specific combination of outdoor unit and indoor units. Hydro-Québec recommends searching its list by AHRI number, because model numbers can vary (LogisVert tool). Check that the models in the quote are exactly those on the certificate in the AHRI Directory.
How should the installer size the heat pump?
With a heating load calculation, room by room or zone by zone, such as the CSA F280 standard cited by NRCan (Option 3A), at your location’s design temperature. Ask in writing for the calculated heat loss, the design temperature used, the unit’s capacity at that temperature and the expected balance point (NRCan guide).
Bigger is not better: an oversized heat pump runs inefficiently in mild weather (NRCan). NRCan notes that CSA F280 long capped heating capacity at 140% of the design heat loss; the cap was removed in 2012 (NRCan guide).
Which red flags should you watch for?
- Only the nominal capacity at 8.3 °C is given, with no data at −15 °C or at your design temperature.
- No low-temperature data : no manufacturer extended data sheet and no NEEP listing.
- Capacity chosen per sq ft only, with no heat-loss calculation.
- Oversizing : capacity far above the calculated heat loss.
- Different models from the AHRI certificate, or missing from the LogisVert list when a rebate is promised.
- Door-to-door sales in Hydro-Québec’s name : Hydro-Québec does not go door to door for LogisVert (fraud notice).
Checklist
- Home’s heat loss known (quick estimate, then the full calculator).
- Capacity at −15 °C and at your design temperature compared with that loss.
- COP at −15 °C ≥ 1.75 if you want a cold-climate model.
- HSPF2 (and HSPF Region V if provided) noted.
- Lowest operating temperature colder than your design temperature, or backup heat planned.
- AHRI number checked in the LogisVert list and the AHRI directory.
- Noise level and location comply with the municipal bylaw.
- Warranty read: length, parts, labour, compressor, conditions.
- Written load calculation, and the company’s RBQ licence checked (RBQ).
Frequently asked questions
Is the nominal capacity enough to compare two models?
No. It is measured at 8.3 °C (47 °F). For a Québec winter, compare the heating capacity at −15 °C and at your location’s design temperature, from the manufacturer’s data or the NEEP list.
Does a “cold climate” model heat on its own at −30 °C?
Not necessarily. The ENERGY STAR Cold Climate criterion is measured at −15 °C (5 °F). Check the lowest operating temperature and the capacity at your design temperature; below the balance point, backup heat takes over.
How do I know if a model qualifies for LogisVert?
Look up the system’s AHRI number in Hydro-Québec’s search tool. The list shows the capacity at −8 °C used to calculate the rebate.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR, Heat Pump Equipment Key Product Criteria (Cold Climate criteria). Checked October 20, 2026.
- NEEP, Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Specification, version 4.0 (effective January 1, 2023), and the ccASHP list. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Hydro-Québec, LogisVert program, residential customers, efficient heat pump search and seven points to consider. Checked October 20, 2026.
- NRCan, Heating and cooling with a heat pump (HSPF Region 5, noise, warranties, oversizing). Checked October 20, 2026.
- NRCan, Air-Source Heat Pump Sizing and Selection Guide, Steps 3 and 4, equation 4.
- Québec.ca, Heat pump. Checked October 20, 2026.
- AHRI, directory of certified products; RBQ, check a contractor’s licence. Checked October 20, 2026.
- NRC, National Building Code of Canada 2020, Table C-2.
Step 1: quick heat-loss estimate →
Step 2: full heat-loss calculator →