Which heat pump for a home in St. John’s?
Updated October 24, 2026
In St. John’s, a heat pump is sized for -15 °C in winter and 25 °C in summer. Here is the load for typical homes and the Kanartic system that fits.
- Winter design temperature-15 °C
- Summer design temperature25 °C
- Heating degree-days4,578
- Electricity15.59 ¢/kWh
Source: CNB 2020 (hiver) · HOT2000 St. John’s Intl; NBC 2020 winter temperature where available.
Heating load in St. John’s
| Home | After 2010 | 1990 to 2010 | Before 1970 | DIY system | Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condo 900 sq ft | 13,500 | 13,500 | 13,500 | ZERO 18,000 wall unit | $2,895 | 100 % |
| Bungalow 1,100 sq ft + basement | 16,500 | 18,300 | 36,600 | Z-PRO 18,000 · 2 zones | $3,825 | 98 % |
| Two-storey 1,800 sq ft + basement | 27,000 | 27,000 | 47,400 | Z-PRO 27,000 · 3 zones | $4,875 | 100 % |
| Two-storey 2,600 sq ft + basement | 39,000 | 39,000 | 62,800 | Z-PRO 36,000 · 3 zones + ZERO 12,000 wall unit | $7,824 | 100 % |
For the typical bungalow, the heat pump carries the house alone down to -14 °C; below that, your current heating fills in a few hours a year.
Estimated savings
For this bungalow (12,800 kWh/yr heating need), the heat pump would save about $1,300 a year compared with electric baseboards, and $2,000 compared with heating oil ($1.80/L).
Rebates in your province (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Here, rebates require a contractor: going DIY, your advantage is saving the installation cost.
- Oil to Electric Incentive Program · takeCHARGE (Newfoundland Power + NL Hydro)
Mini-split: $5,000 (general) or $10,000 (income-qualified); multi-zone: $6,500 or $13,000; up to $22,000 overall
- takeCHARGE Greener Homes (income-qualified) · takeCHARGE + Gouvernement du Canada
One single-zone mini-split free, with insulation, HRV and energy assessments
- On-bill financing · takeCHARGE
Heat pump financed on your power bill, term up to 60 months — a loan, not a rebate
- National Heat Pump Rebate (announced) · Gouvernement du Canada
$2,000; up to $10,000 for low- and median-income households
Install it yourself (DIY)
Kanartic DIY versions ship with pre-charged line sets and quick connectors. You mount the units, drill the wall, connect and plug in: no refrigerant handling.
All rebates in Newfoundland and Labrador
How many BTU in St. John’s by floor area
500 sq ft800 sq ft1,000 sq ft1,200 sq ft1,500 sq ft1,800 sq ft2,000 sq ft2,400 sq ft
Other cities
Frequently asked questions
What is the design temperature in St. John’s?
-15 °C in winter (January, 2.5%) and 25 °C in summer (July, 2.5%). These are the temperatures used to size heating and cooling.
Can a heat pump heat a house in St. John’s?
For a 1,100 sq ft bungalow built between 1990 and 2010, the Z-PRO 18,000 · 2 zones covers 98% of the load at -15 °C. Kanartic models keep heating at −30 °C.
Can I install a heat pump myself in St. John’s?
Yes, with Kanartic DIY versions: pre-charged line sets and quick connectors, no refrigerant handling. Check your province’s rebate conditions, which often require a contractor.