Which heat pump for a basement?
Updated October 24, 2026
A basement loses heat mostly through its foundation walls and floor. Well insulated, it needs little capacity; a wall-mounted heat pump heats it in winter and dehumidifies it in summer.
Heating at -23 °C12,000BTU/h
Cooling at 30 °C1,700BTU/h
Recommended system
ZERO 12,000 wall unitfrom $2,349 · DIY
Covers 100% of the heating load at -23 °C
See on kanartic.caLoad by floor area and city
| Area | Toronto (-18 °C) | Montreal (-23 °C) | Edmonton (-32 °C) | Cooling Montreal | System (Montreal) | DIY price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 sq ft | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 1,300 | ZERO 9,000 wall unit | $2,199 |
| 600 sq ft | 9,000 | 9,000 | 9,000 | 1,500 | ZERO 9,000 wall unit | $2,199 |
| 800 sq ft | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 1,700 | ZERO 12,000 wall unit | $2,349 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 1,700 | ZERO 18,000 wall unit | $2,895 |
| 1,200 sq ft | 18,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 1,900 | ZERO 18,000 wall unit | $2,895 |
Good to know
- Mount the indoor unit high on an exterior wall, where the outdoor unit can sit above the snow line.
- If condensate cannot drain by gravity, plan for a condensate pump.
- Uninsulated foundation walls can double the load: insulate them before choosing the size.
- In summer, dry mode cuts the humidity typical of basements.