Electrical Industry Canada Electric Heating Issue - 8

RETROFITTING CANADIAN HOMES FOR
ENERGY SAVINGS:
OIL TO ELECTRIC CONVERSION
The Challenge
Extreme Canadian temperatures mean we oſten must rely on heating and air conditioning
to keep our homes comfortable throughout the year. But this constant use of energy has a big
impact on our utility bills and the environment, particularly in rural areas where oil is oſten
used for heating and less expensive fuel sources may not be available.
This is especially true when it comes to heating in sub-zero weather. Research shows that
Canadian households spend more energy for space heating than all other end uses
combined [i]. But energy consumption only goes up when households are using older
heating systems, and even more so when using oil to heat a home.
The desire for lower energy bills and carbon emissions is familiar for the Boivin's, who used
to spend over $6,000 a year on utility bills and $4,000 alone on oil.
Located in Campbellford, Ontario in a rural community not serviced by natural gas, their
1,800-square-foot bungalow was built in the early 1970s and relied on an oil furnace for
heating. It has three bedrooms, one bathroom and a large masonry fireplace in the centre of
the living room.
With little insulation and set on top of a hill that makes it vulnerable to heavy winds, the
house suffers from air gaps and cold draſts. So, the family decided to invest in a new
energy-efficient heating solution that works better for their wallet and the planet. The new
heating system needed to perform well even in extreme cold temperatures.
The Solution
As the owners of René's Total Home Comfort - a company dedicated to providing
customers with quality heating and cooling solutions such as stoves, furnaces, air
conditioners and custom ductwork - the Boivin family was familiar with their options and
knew where to find the best products.
In this case they needed a centrally ducted cold-climate system. They selected the
Mitsubishi Electric Zuba Central heat pump. Designed to be ultra efficient in cold climates,
the heat pump is the ideal solution for keeping their space warm in winter while saving
money on their energy bills.
ELECTRICAL INDUS TRY CANADA
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
8

http://mitsubishielectric.ca/en/hvac https://cdn.agilitycms.com/mesca/casestudies/cas-202017e-boivin-house-web.pdf http://mitsubishielectric.ca/en/hvac/professionals/zuba-family

Electrical Industry Canada Electric Heating Issue

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