Two Systems, Two Philosophies: Which One Truly Offers the Best Thermal Comfort?
At AirGreen, we are frequently involved in new construction projects in Laval, whether for high-end single-family homes or modern plexes. One of the most common questions we get from architects, developers, and homeowners is:
Should I go with heated floors or a central heat pump?
In this article, we share our technical analysis, based on several recent installations in the Laval area, to demonstrate why the heat pump is increasingly becoming the obvious choice in new residential construction.
Understanding the Heating Needs of Modern Builds in Laval
Energy efficiency standards in Québec, combined with stricter architectural requirements, are significantly changing how heating systems are selected.
Features of 2024–2025 new constructions:
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Very high-performance thermal insulation (R-24+ walls, R-50+ roofs).
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Large south-facing window surfaces.
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Integrated smart home systems.
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Independent comfort zones.
These parameters reduce the overall heating demand while increasing the need for precise control, modulation, and most importantly, reversibility (heating and cooling in one system).
Heated Floors: Known Comfort, but Serious Limitations
Hydronic heated floors are often seen as synonymous with comfort. However, they come with several drawbacks when it comes to new construction.
Advantages of heated floors:
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Soft, even heat through radiant distribution.
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Invisible and silent.
Technical and practical limitations:
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No cooling capability, requiring a second system like a wall-mounted or central air conditioner.
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Very slow response time (long to heat up or cool down).
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Complex and costly to install, especially in multizone configurations.
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Hard to retrofit during renovations or when adding floors.
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Rarely eligible for government energy efficiency grants.
At AirGreen, we’ve removed multiple underfloor heating systems in recent Laval homes—either because they were inactive, poorly designed, or too expensive to maintain.
Central Heat Pump: A Flexible, Subsidized, and Perfectly Suited Solution
In most cases, our teams recommend installing a central forced-air heat pump with Inverter technology, combined with a multizone air handler.
Concrete example: new residence in Duvernay (Laval)
In this 2,600 sq. ft. home built in 2024, we installed:
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A BOSCH BOVA36HDN1-M20G central heat pump – 36,000 BTU – R-454B, with high energy efficiency.
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A BOSCH BVA36WN1-M20 air handler with variable-speed ECM motors.
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A high-efficiency insulated duct network, split into two distinct zones (main floor + basement).
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A BOSCH BCC100 connected thermostat, with multizone control and scheduling.
Benefits delivered:
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Heating + cooling in a single system.
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Eligibility for up to $5,000 in Hydro-Québec LogisVert grants.
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Fast response and automatic modulation based on outdoor temperature.
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Optimized electricity consumption, thanks to Inverter technology.
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Fast installation (total of 5 days), even in multi-level setups.
The result: a perfectly tempered home in every season, using a single central, connected, subsidized, and scalable system.
Technical Comparison: Heated Floors vs Heat Pump
| Criterion | Heated Floors | Central Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Heating | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling | No | Yes |
| Response Time | Slow | Fast |
| Available Grants | Low or none | Up to $5,000 (LogisVert) |
| Installation Cost | High | Moderate |
| Maintenance Complexity | Medium to high | Low |
| Smart Home Integration | Limited | Excellent |
| Flexibility (multizone, scalability) | Low | High |
Client Testimonial in Laval: “We’d Never Go Back to Heated Floors”
Mr. Lafleur, homeowner in Duvernay:
“We had heated floors in our old home. It was fine in winter, but a hassle in summer and took forever to warm up. Since installing the heat pump with AirGreen, everything’s easier, faster—and best of all, we can cool the house without adding anything else.”
Our Advice for Developers and Owner-Builders
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Plan the heat pump into your project from the very beginning: this reduces overall installation cost and improves energy performance.
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Choose brands compatible with R-454B refrigerant: it future-proofs the home and gives access to today’s grants.
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Opt for multizone systems, which better reflect real usage (basement, south-facing rooms, children’s bedrooms…).
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Work with a certified company like AirGreen, who understands Québec’s standards and Laval’s municipal regulations.
Why Choose AirGreen for Your Heating Projects in Laval?
We serve the entire Laval area (Fabreville, Duvernay, Chomedey, Sainte-Dorothée, Saint-François…) and offer:
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Over 1,200 completed HVAC heating projects.
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Advanced expertise in Inverter central heat pumps.
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In-depth knowledge of available government subsidies.
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Specialized in-house teams, with no outsourcing.
Whether for a new build or an energy conversion, we deliver optimal comfort with reliable, quiet, and subsidized equipment.