How much does a heat pump, furnace or AC cost in Canada?
In September 2026, a 3-ton cold-climate ducted heat pump installed in Canada costs $12,283 to $16,618 before tax and before rebates. A high-efficiency gas furnace runs $4,769 to $7,225, central air conditioning $4,335 to $6,936, and a single-zone ductless heat pump $5,347 to $7,948. Provincial and federal rebates can take $2,000 to $16,000 off a heat pump depending on where you live and your income.
Updated 2026-09-02 · Reference ranges, before tax · 12 cited sources
Heating & cooling cost by scope
| Scope | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 60,000 BTU, 96% AFUE | $4,208 | $4,950 | $5,693 |
| Gas furnace, 80,000 BTU, 96% AFUE | $4,633 | $5,450 | $6,267 |
| Central AC, 2.5 ton, 16 SEER | $4,123 | $4,850 | $5,578 |
| Furnace 80k + AC 2.5 ton combo | $7,523 | $8,850 | $10,178 |
| Ducted heat pump, 2 ton, cold-climate | $11,008 | $12,950 | $14,892 |
| Ducted heat pump, 3 ton, cold-climate | $12,283 | $14,450 | $16,618 |
| Ducted heat pump, 4 ton, cold-climate, premium | $15,258 | $17,950 | $20,643 |
| Ductless heat pump, single zone | $5,483 | $6,450 | $7,417 |
| Ductless heat pump, three zones | $11,433 | $13,450 | $15,467 |
Heating & cooling cost by city
3-ton cold-climate ducted heat pump, high efficiency. City ranges combine Job Bank median trade wages for the region with published local price premiums. Click a city for its page.
| Scope | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, BC | $14,136 | $16,630 | $19,125 |
| Toronto, ON | $13,422 | $15,790 | $18,159 |
| Victoria, BC | $13,348 | $15,704 | $18,060 |
| Mississauga, ON | $13,179 | $15,505 | $17,831 |
| Kelowna, BC | $12,961 | $15,248 | $17,535 |
| Hamilton, ON | $12,622 | $14,849 | $17,076 |
| Ottawa, ON | $12,622 | $14,849 | $17,076 |
| Calgary, AB | $12,607 | $14,832 | $17,057 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo, ON | $12,464 | $14,664 | $16,864 |
| Edmonton, AB | $12,246 | $14,407 | $16,568 |
| Montréal, QC | $12,158 | $14,303 | $16,448 |
| London, ON | $12,065 | $14,194 | $16,323 |
| Québec City, QC | $11,870 | $13,965 | $16,060 |
| Saskatoon, SK | $11,774 | $13,852 | $15,930 |
| Regina, SK | $11,774 | $13,852 | $15,930 |
| Winnipeg, MB | $11,495 | $13,524 | $15,553 |
| St. John's, NL | $11,325 | $13,324 | $15,323 |
| Halifax, NS | $10,902 | $12,826 | $14,750 |
| Moncton, NB | $10,381 | $12,213 | $14,045 |
What drives the price
- Equipment type and capacity in tons or BTU. Size follows a heat-loss calculation, not the old unit's label.
- Efficiency tier: single-stage, two-stage or modulating; 14, 16 or 18+ SEER.
- Cold-climate rating for heat pumps, which most rebates require.
- Ductwork changes, at roughly $2,000 to $2,500 per ton, and electrical panel upgrades at $2,500 to $8,000.
- Brand tier. Equipment is about 60 percent of the installed price.
- Local labour. HVAC mechanic wages run $30 an hour in Nova Scotia to $40 in Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan.
What a HVAC quote should include
- The exact model number, capacity and efficiency rating
- Removal and disposal of the old equipment
- New refrigerant line set, pad, drain and thermostat
- Electrical hookup and whether a panel or circuit upgrade is needed
- Permit and inspection
- Startup, commissioning and a heat-loss calculation on file
- Parts warranty (usually 10 years registered) and labour warranty (1 to 2 years)
Questions to ask the contractor
- What heat-loss calculation did you use to size the system?
- Is this model cold-climate rated and eligible for the provincial rebate?
- Is a panel upgrade or new circuit included, or extra?
- Who registers the warranty, and what does labour coverage include?
- Is the permit included and who calls for inspection?
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a heat pump cost in Canada after rebates?
- Before rebates, $12,283 to $16,618 for a 3-ton cold-climate ducted system in Canada. Rebates vary by province and income: Ontario up to $7,500 for non-gas homes, BC up to $16,000 income-tested, Québec about $120 per 1,000 BTU/h, Manitoba $2,000. Net cost is commonly $7,000 to $14,000.
- Is a furnace and AC combo cheaper than buying separately?
- Usually by about $1,000, because the crew, permit and shared components are done once. Published Ontario ranges put a furnace plus AC combo at $9,000 to $13,000 for an average home.
- How big a heat pump do I need?
- It depends on the home's heat loss, not its square footage alone. Roughly 2 tons for a small bungalow, 3 tons for a 1,800 to 2,400 sq ft two-storey, 4 tons or more for larger or leaky homes. Ask for the calculation.
- Ductless or ducted heat pump?
- Ducted if you already have good ductwork from a furnace; it heats the whole house evenly. Ductless is cheaper per zone and suits homes without ducts, additions, or targeted rooms. Multi-zone ductless can cost as much as a ducted system.
- Do HVAC prices vary by province?
- Yes. BC tends to be highest for furnace installs, Ontario high for AC, Québec and the Prairies lower, and Atlantic Canada has the cheapest ductless installs at high volumes.
Sources
- AJob Bank wages: refrigeration and AC mechanics (NOC 72402), Government of Canada, 2025-11-19.
- ACleanBC Energy Savings Program expansion (news release), Government of British Columbia, 2024-07-03.
- BCost to install a gas furnace, Home Depot Canada, n.d..
- BLennox equipment dealer prices, HVAC Trust and Cozy Castle (Toronto area), 2026-09-02.
- CFurnace and heat pump prices in Canada, FurnacePrices.ca, 2026-09-01.
- CCentral air conditioner prices in Canada, FurnacePrices.com, 2025-12-02.
- CHVAC installation cost, RenoAssistance (Desjardins), 2026-05-06.
- BCanadian ductless heat pump costs, Reliance Home Comfort, 2026.
- COntario cost guides (roofing, HVAC, windows), Custom Contracting, 2026.
- CCost breakdowns by province and city, Homeowner.ca, 2026-03-15.
- ABuilding permit fees, effective January 1, 2026, City of Toronto, 2026-01-01.
- ABuilding and trade permit fee schedule R2026-02, City of Calgary, 2026.
Grades: A government, B retailer or contractor-network data, C cost guide. Ranges are reference estimates for typical scope, not bids, and have not yet been calibrated against observed quotes. Methodology.