Heating & Cooling

Cold-Climate Heat Pumps in Trenton & Quinte West

Modern cold-climate heat pumps heat and cool your home efficiently — even when temperatures drop well below freezing. Johnston Mechanical HVAC LTD installs heat pump systems in Trenton, Quinte West, Belleville, and Brighton.

Heat pumps have come a long way. Today's cold-climate models — like the TOSOT Apex Ultra Heat — maintain full heating capacity down to -30 degrees Celsius, making them a practical choice for Ontario winters. They move heat rather than generate it, delivering up to three times more energy than they consume.

Johnston Mechanical installs both ducted and ductless (mini-split) heat pump systems. Ducted systems integrate with your existing forced-air setup. Ductless mini-splits are ideal for additions, garages, or homes without existing ductwork. Brandon will recommend the right configuration for your home.

One of the most common questions Brandon hears is whether a heat pump can handle a Trenton or Quinte West winter. The answer is yes — with the right equipment. Johnston Mechanical installs cold-climate heat pumps rated to operate efficiently at temperatures as low as -25°C. These are not the same units sold in southern climates. They are engineered for Ontario winters and sized to carry the full heating load without relying on backup electric resistance heat.

In many cases, the lower operating costs of a cold-climate heat pump make it the most financially sensible choice for a home that currently heats with oil or propane. Brandon will walk you through the actual numbers during your site visit so you can make an informed decision.

Serving Trenton, Quinte West, Belleville, Brighton, Frankford, Stirling, Campbellford, and surrounding Hastings County and Prince Edward County communities.

Homeowners in Brighton and Belleville can find dedicated information about HVAC services in their area — see our Brighton HVAC page and Belleville HVAC page.

Before any work begins, Brandon visits the site to assess your home's heating and cooling load, existing ductwork or wall penetration options, and electrical service capacity. Heat pump installations often require an electrical panel upgrade — Brandon will identify this during the site visit and include it in the written quote. There are no surprises after the work starts.

All installations include a 5-year labour warranty, with a 10-year upgrade available. Equipment manufacturer warranties apply on top of the labour warranty — TOSOT carries strong parts coverage on their cold-climate heat pump lines.

Heat pumps require annual maintenance to perform at their rated efficiency and to keep the manufacturer warranty valid. Brandon offers seasonal tune-ups for heat pump systems — refrigerant pressure check, coil cleaning, defrost cycle verification, and electrical inspection. If your heat pump was installed by Johnston Mechanical, Brandon already knows the system and can complete the tune-up efficiently.

What's Included

  • Load calculation and system sizing
  • Heat pump unit supply and installation
  • Refrigerant line set and electrical
  • Integration with existing furnace (dual-fuel setup)
  • Thermostat or smart control installation
  • Full system commissioning and refrigerant charge
  • Walkthrough and operating instructions
  • 5-year labour warranty (10-year upgrade available)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a heat pump work in a cold Ontario winter?

Yes. Cold-climate heat pumps like the TOSOT Apex Ultra Heat are rated to -30 degrees Celsius. Most installations pair the heat pump with a gas furnace as a backup — the system automatically switches to gas when temperatures drop below the heat pump's efficient operating range.

Is a heat pump more efficient than a gas furnace?

At moderate temperatures, yes — a heat pump delivers 2 to 3 times more heat per dollar of electricity than a furnace delivers per dollar of gas. The economics depend on your local electricity and gas rates. Brandon can help you model the numbers for your situation.

What Our Customers Say

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Alandra Emerson

October 19, 2026

Would 100% recommend Brandon, I called him in a panic with a newborn and a heat pump system that wasn't cooling our house in the middle of August, after another company gave us a ridiculous quote. He got it done for half and came the same day I called. Thank you so much.

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Rijax Bloodmore

October 19, 2026

Realized my furnace went dead and made the call, had a technician in in a few hours and they found the issue had the part ordered and was installed the next day, professional kind and quick 10 out of 10 would use again.

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Scott Marshall

October 18, 2026

We are new to our home, and weren't sure who to call for an outage with our home heating and cooling system. We found Johnston mechanical through an online search, and are very glad we we contacted them. They were honest, dependable, and fixed up our system in a professional manner. I highly recommend this business to others!

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trevor roffey

October 17, 2026

Johnston Mechanical HVAC installed a radiant natural gas heater in my garage. They were professional, punctual, competitively priced and had a clean job site. Additionally, he took the time to answer my questions and explain the process. Would recommend

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Get a Written Quote — No Obligation

Pricing is provided after a site visit. No made-up numbers over the phone — just an honest assessment from a TSSA certified technician.