Heat Pump Savings Calculator (Ontario)
Estimate how much electricity a heat pump could save compared to electric baseboard/resistance heating. Uses a simple COP model in plain English.
Updated 2026-02-12
Heating need
If you don’t know, start with a rough estimate and compare scenarios. This represents heat delivered to your home.
Efficiency + price
Optional: include delivery/GA changes you notice with higher usage.
How it works
- Electric baseboards are ~1:1 (1 kWh electricity ≈ 1 kWh heat).
- Heat pumps move heat. COP 2.5 means ~2.5 kWh heat per 1 kWh electricity.
- Higher COP = lower electricity use for the same heating output.
Educational estimator only. Real-world results depend on temperature, system sizing, backup heat, and how the home is operated.
Why heat pumps can reduce electricity use
Electric baseboard and resistance heating systems convert electricity directly into heat. In simple terms, they produce about one unit of heat for each unit of electricity consumed. Heat pumps work differently. Instead of creating heat directly, they move heat from outside to inside, which can allow them to deliver more heat than the electricity they consume.
That is why a heat pump with a COP above 1.0 can use less electricity than electric resistance heating for the same heating output. The higher the COP, the greater the potential reduction in electricity use.
Why COP matters so much
COP stands for Coefficient of Performance. It is one of the most important factors in estimating heat pump savings. A COP of 2.5 means the heat pump delivers about 2.5 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it uses.
In Ontario, COP can change significantly depending on outdoor temperature, equipment design, installation quality, and how the system is operated. That is why this calculator works best when you test a few different scenarios rather than relying on a single number.
Why winter results may be different
Heat pump performance is not constant throughout the year. In milder weather, a heat pump may operate at a higher COP and produce strong savings. During colder Ontario winter periods, the COP may fall, which means the system uses more electricity for the same amount of heating output.
Some homes also use backup resistance heat during very cold periods. When that happens, total electricity use may be higher than a simple heat pump-only estimate suggests. This is why it is useful to test both conservative and optimistic assumptions in the calculator above.
What this calculator does and does not show
This tool is an educational estimator. It compares the electricity needed to provide the same amount of heat using electric resistance heating versus a heat pump with a chosen COP value.
It does not include installation cost, maintenance, equipment lifespan, rebates, or fuel switching economics. It also does not predict a perfect utility bill. Instead, it helps Ontario households understand how heat pump efficiency can influence monthly electricity consumption and potential savings.
When this heat pump calculator is useful
This calculator is especially useful for households that currently use electric baseboards, electric furnaces, or other resistance-based heating systems and want to understand how much lower electricity use might be with a heat pump.
It is also useful for comparing “what-if” scenarios. For example, you can test how much savings change if electricity prices rise, if winter COP falls, or if your heating demand is higher than expected during cold months.