Heating a cottage in Quebec with a heat pump: A complete guide 2026
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Do you own a cottage in the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships, Lac-Saint-Jean, or elsewhere in Quebec? Heating is likely your biggest expense after the purchase. Between wood, propane, heating oil, and electricity, the options are numerous—but heat pumps are increasingly emerging as the ideal solution.
Here's why and how to efficiently heat your cottage with a heat pump.
Why a heat pump is ideal for a cottage
1. Substantial savings
If your cottage is heated with electric baseboard heaters or propane, you're paying a lot. A heat pump can reduce your heating costs by 40 to 60%.
Concrete example:
- 800 sq ft cottage with baseboard heating: ~$1,500/year
- Same cottage with heat pump: ~$600-$800/year
- Savings: $700 to $900/year
2. Heating AND air conditioning
Summers are getting hotter and hotter in Quebec. A heat pump gives you air conditioning as a bonus — no more sweating nights in July.
3. DIY installation is perfect for cottages
DIY heat pumps are particularly well-suited to cottages:
- No need to have an installer come to a remote area
- Install it on a weekend while you are at the cottage
- Savings on technician travel expenses
4. Remote control
With the Wi-Fi app, you can:
- Preheat the cottage before arriving
- Check the temperature when you're not there
- Receive alerts if the temperature drops too low
- Adjust the heating without travelling
Backup heating or main heating?
The most frequently asked question: can a heat pump be the only heating system for my cottage?
Scenario 1: Cottage used all year round
If you regularly visit your cottage in winter:
- Heat pump as primary heating: Yes, it's possible
- Recommended backup heating: Electric baseboard heaters or a wood stove for very cold weather
- Ideal configuration: Heat pump + baseboard heaters as backup (set to 15°C)
Scenario 2: Three-season cottage (spring-summer-fall)
If you close the cottage in winter:
- The heat pump is perfect as a standalone system
- Excellent for spring/fall heating and summer air conditioning
- No need for backup heating
Scenario 3: Cottage heated while you are away
If you maintain a minimum temperature throughout the winter to protect the plumbing:
- The heat pump can maintain 10-12°C very efficiently
- Preheats quickly before your visits
- Major savings vs. baseboard heaters running 24/7
What capacity for a cottage?
No square-foot rule
A cottage is hard to size by floor area: uneven insulation, large windows, cathedral ceilings, wind exposure and a colder climate change the needs a lot. That is why we do not give a table by area.
What changes the capacity you need
- Insulation: an old log cottage needs more capacity than a renovated one.
- Windows: a lot of glass increases heat loss.
- Cathedral ceilings: a larger volume of air to heat.
- Region: the further north, the higher the winter needs.
- South exposure and three-season use: both reduce the needs.
Enter this information in the free BTU calculator to get the right capacity for your cottage.
Installing at the cottage: special considerations
Electricity
Check your electrical panel:
- 9000-12000 BTU: 15-20A circuit, 115V or 230V
- 18000-24000 BTU: 20-30A, 230V circuit required
Warning: Many older cottages have limited electrical service (60A or 100A). If your panel is full, you may need an upgrade.
Location of the outdoor unit
Cottages present particular challenges:
- Snow: Raise the unit at least 45-60 cm in areas with heavy snow accumulation
- Animals: Protect against rodents that love to nest in outdoor units
- Trees: Keep a distance to avoid leaves and sap
- Sloped ground: Ensure a level base
Wi-Fi connection
Remote control requires an internet connection at the cottage. Options:
- Cable/fibre internet (if available)
- Satellite internet (Starlink)
- Cellular hotspot (if coverage is available)
Without internet, the heat pump works perfectly — you just lose remote control.
Getting the most out of it at the cottage
"Hold" mode when you're not there
If you keep the cottage heated in winter to protect the plumbing:
- Set the heat pump to 10-12°C
- Baseboards as backup at 8-10°C
- The heat pump will do 95% of the work at a lower cost
"Arrival" mode — Preheat before arriving
With the mobile app:
- 2-3 hours before arrival, raise the setpoint to 20-21°C
- The cottage will be comfortable when you arrive
- No waste from keeping it warm when you're not there
"Departure" mode — Optimize when leaving
- Lower the setpoint to 10-12°C
- The heat pump will hold it efficiently
- Savings vs. leaving standard electric heating on
Off-grid cottage
For cottages powered by a generator or solar panels, a heat pump can still work, with some considerations:
With solar panels
- A 3-5 kW solar system can power a 12,000 BTU heat pump
- Batteries recommended for nighttime operation
- Excellent for three-season cottages (maximum sunshine)
With a generator
- A 3000W+ generator can start a heat pump
- Not ideal for continuous operation (noise, fuel)
- Good for backup or occasional visits
Comparison: Heat pump vs. other heating systems for a cottage
| System | Cost/year* | Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump | $600-900 | Efficient, air conditioning included, remote control | Initial cost, requires electricity |
| Electric baseboards | $1,400-$1,800 | Simple, reliable, no maintenance | Expensive, no air conditioning |
| Propane | $1,800-$2,500 | Heats up quickly, no electricity needed | Delivery, variable cost, tank |
| Wood stove | $500-1,000 | Ambiance, self-sufficient, radiant heat | Manual, someone must be there, maintenance |
| Heating oil | $2,000-$3,000 | Powerful, automatic | Expensive, polluting, delivery, tank |
*Estimates for an 800 sq ft cottage with moderate use. Your costs may vary.
The best combination for a cottage
For most Quebec cottages, we recommend:
Heat pump + wood stove
- Heat pump: Efficient primary heating + air conditioning
- Wood stove: Backup for extreme cold, power outages, and ambiance
Why this combination?
- Maximum savings (heat pump 90% of the time)
- Peace of mind during power outages (wood)
- Authentic cottage atmosphere whenever you want
- Partial energy independence
Cottage FAQ
Can a heat pump protect my plumbing from freezing?
Yes! Set it to 10-12°C and it will maintain that temperature effectively. With the mobile app, you can monitor the temperature remotely.
What happens in the event of a power outage?
The heat pump shuts down, like any electrical appliance. That's why a backup system (wood stove, baseboard heaters with a generator, etc.) is recommended for winter cottages.
Is a DIY installation realistic at a cottage?
Absolutely! It's even easier than in the city: no close neighbours, more flexibility for the placement of the outdoor unit. Plan for a full day's work.
My cottage is a log cabin. Will the heat pump be effective?
Log cabins often have less thermal insulation. The heat pump will work: select poor insulation in the BTU calculator to get the right capacity, and keep a backup heating system for very cold weather.
Can I use the heat pump only for air conditioning in the summer?
Yes! But you'd miss out on the heating savings. You might as well use it all year round.
Conclusion
Heat pumps transform the cottage experience in Quebec: arrive at a preheated cottage, enjoy air conditioning in the summer, and reduce your bills by 40-60%. With DIY installation, it's a weekend project that pays for itself in 2-3 seasons.
