Central units and heat storage units
Whole-home heating and cooling through your ducts, plus a heat storage unit to heat outside Hydro-Québec's peak hours, and a federal rebate announced for 2027 (details to come).
What is a central unit?
A central unit is a ducted heat pump: an outdoor unit paired with an indoor air handler connected to your home's ductwork. It heats in winter and cools in summer in every room at once, through the same vents as your current furnace. It usually works with an electric furnace or a heat storage unit, which takes over in extreme cold.
Who is it for?
- Homes that already have ducts (forced-air furnace)
- Owners replacing a furnace at the end of its life
- People who want even comfort everywhere, without a wall unit in every room
Brands: we mainly install Hisense and Samsung central units. Gree, Élios, DirectAir and Zephyr are also available on request, depending on the project.
No ducts? A wall-mounted or multi-zone heat pump is often simpler. We'll recommend the best option during our visit. See our wall-mounted heat pumps
Heat storage units: store heat before peak hours
A central heat storage unit holds high-density ceramic bricks. It heats them with electricity during off-peak hours, then releases that heat into the home through the ducts during peak hours, without drawing power at that time. It's installed in the basement, replacing your furnace or working alongside it.
Climaref installs heat storage units, on their own or combined with a central unit.
Winter peak and the Flex D rate
On Hydro-Québec's Flex D rate, electricity costs less than rate D for most of the winter (December 1 to March 31), but more during peak events, at most 120 hours per winter, between 6 and 10 a.m. and between 4 and 8 p.m. A heat storage unit charges before those periods and keeps you warm during them. According to Hydro-Québec, a central system with heat storage on the Flex D rate could save you $200 to $300 a year, or more, compared with rate D, and more if combined with a central unit (heat pump).
Why it makes sense for Québec winters
Whole-home comfort
Even heat on every floor, and central air conditioning in summer with the same system.
Lower heating costs
The heat pump does most of the work for most of the winter; electric backup or heat storage takes over in extreme cold.
Ready for peak hours
Peak hours are the mornings and late afternoons of the coldest days, when Hydro-Québec asks customers to cut back on electricity (usually 6 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. in winter). With a heat storage unit, heat is stored ahead of those hours, a good match for the Flex D rate.
Current and upcoming rebates
Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program (current)
- Hydro-Québec LogisVert rebate for a central heat pump alone: $50 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C (ENERGY STAR®) or $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C (ENERGY STAR® cold climate), if you are eligible. The amount depends on the model and the installation date.
For the heat pump, the unit must be new and ENERGY STAR® certified, and you apply within 9 months of installation.
Federal heat pump rebate announced for 2027
On October 8, 2026, the Government of Canada announced the National Heat Pump Rebate: up to $10,000 for households with below-median income, and $2,000 for other eligible households, for a cold-climate electric heat pump on the list of eligible products. Eligible models, including central heat pumps, are not yet known. According to the announcement, it can be combined with provincial programs such as LogisVert. Hydro-Québec says these rebates are planned starting in 2027 and that the details are not yet known. Announced, details to come: dates, criteria and eligible models will be published by the Government of Canada.
Amounts from official sources checked on October 9, 2026: LogisVert, Canada.ca. Eligibility and the amount are confirmed by the organization paying the rebate; programs may change without notice. The Chauffez vert program ended on March 31, 2026.
Warranties
Legal warranty of good working order: free 6-year legal warranty, parts and labour, on new heat pumps and air conditioners sold since October 5, 2026 (sections 38.1 and following of Québec's Consumer Protection Act). The manufacturer's warranties are in addition to it, according to their terms.
Let's talk about your home
Tell us about your current system (furnace, ductwork, basement) and we'll call you back with a free quote. ClimaRéf Québec inc., RBQ licence 5813-2804-01.