What Size Heat Pump Do You Need for Your Nova Scotia Home?

heat pump sizing nova scotia

Heat pump sizing in Nova Scotia must be based on your home’s square footage, insulation levels, layout, and air leakage. Installing the wrong size heat pump can increase power bills, reduce comfort, and shorten system lifespan. Properly sized cold-climate heat pumps provide maximum efficiency, stable temperatures, and the lowest long-term operating costs.

Heat Pump Sizing in Nova Scotia — Why It Matters

Heat pump sizing in Nova Scotia is far more important than most homeowners realize. Many homes across Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, and rural Nova Scotia were built before modern insulation standards existed. Because of this, two homes with the same square footage can require very different heat pump capacities.

Oversized systems short-cycle, waste electricity, and wear out faster. Undersized systems run continuously, struggle in cold weather, and drive up power bills. Quinn Energy performs full heat-loss calculations to ensure each home receives a properly matched system.

What Determines Proper Heat Pump Size?

FactorWhy It Matters
Square footageBase heating load
Insulation qualityHeat retention
Air leakageEnergy loss
Window type & quantityDraft infiltration
Ceiling heightAir volume
Floor layoutZoning requirements

Common Heat Pump Sizes (General Guide)

Home SizeTypical System Capacity
800–1,200 sq ft12,000–18,000 BTU
1,200–2,000 sq ft18,000–30,000 BTU
2,000–3,000 sq ft30,000–48,000 BTU
3,000+ sq ftMulti-zone systems

These are general ranges — real sizing must be calculated per home.

How Insulation Impacts Heat Pump Size

Homes with spray foam insulation and proper air sealing require smaller systems because they retain heat more effectively. This results in:

• Lower install cost
• Lower monthly power bills
• Longer equipment lifespan
• Better comfort

Quinn Energy often pairs insulation upgrades with heat pump installations to maximize performance.

Why Nova Scotia Homeowners Choose Quinn Energy

Quinn Energy specializes in:

• Cold-climate heat pump installations
• Spray foam insulation upgrades
• HRV ventilation
• Rebate and financing handling

Ready for the Right-Sized System?

👉 Book your free heat pump sizing assessment with Quinn Energy today.