Québec businesses must sometimes contend with aging buildings, narrowing profit margins and growing expectations for environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors while maintaining reliable facilities. Given these realities, heating, which can represent 40% to 60% of the electricity bill in winter, remains a key driver to improve a building’s energy performance quickly and sustainably and reduce energy costs.
Benefits of a heat pump
Heat pumps have emerged as one of the most strategic equipment assets for businesses. They provide heating in winter and cooling in summer, deliver efficiency up to three times that of a traditional electric heating system and provide a range of benefits:
- More accurate energy demand management
- More stable temperatures throughout the building
- Lower energy use, especially in winter
- Sustained reductions in operating costs
- A solid foundation to integrate other energy efficiency measures (ventilation, heat recovery, automation, building envelope upgrades)
Measurable results from the outset
Each year, through the Efficient Solutions Program, Hydro‑Québec supports hundreds of businesses in optimizing their heating systems. The OSE calculation tool plays a key role by assessing a building’s improvement potential, comparing scenarios and targeting the most cost-effective measures from the outset.
In practice, the results are clear:
- Businesses that implement a high-efficiency heating solution see measurable efficiency gains as early as the first year, leading to a sustained reduction in electricity costs. Combined with available financial support, the savings free up cash flow that can be reinvested in the business, making energy efficiency a true lever for growth.
- The most effective projects often combine a heating measure and a control measure and a heat recovery measure.
Did you know?
Heat pumps sustainably reduce energy consumption and enhance the performance and efficiency of buildings.
A cost-effective and sustainable choice
Hydro‑Québec provides financial support to cover up to 90% of eligible costs for the purchase and installation of a high-efficiency heat pump, accelerating the return on investment and reducing project risks.
Each building comes with its own constraints but also significant efficiency potential. By evaluating different scenarios and targeting the measures best suited to your needs, you can move from intention to a structured project backed by tools and financial support.
