A poorly optimized central heat pump can quickly turn your heating and cooling system into a financial sinkhole. At AirGreen, we respond daily across Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore to diagnose HVAC installations that, despite being modern or powerful, are causing unexpectedly high energy bills. In this article, we’ll reveal six hidden causes, often invisible to the naked eye, but responsible for excessive energy consumption.
Warm air is escaping: leaks in your ductwork
One of the sneakiest reasons behind rising bills is air leakage in the ductwork system. In many service calls, we’ve found that up to 30% of the treated air from the heat pump can escape through poorly sealed or cracked ducts—especially in attics, basements, or uninsulated walls.
Real case in Laval: During an annual maintenance call, our team discovered a series of micro-cracks in the ductwork of a single-story home equipped with a Goodman 3-ton central heat pump (R-32). After precise detection and professional sealing, the customer reported a 28% drop in monthly electricity usage.
Incorrect heat pump sizing
An oversized or undersized central heat pump can harm overall energy efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, a more powerful unit doesn’t automatically mean more comfort. It tends to start and stop too frequently—a phenomenon known as “short cycling”—which wears out the system and increases consumption.
Service call in Longueuil: A customer complained of constant noise and unusually high heating costs. After a thermal load calculation, we replaced an oversized 5-ton Trane heat pump with a Fujitsu KZAH R-32 3.5-ton model, better suited to the home’s square footage. The result: annual savings of over $700.
Clogged or poorly maintained filters
A simple dirty or clogged filter can send your energy bills soaring. It blocks airflow, forcing the heat pump to work harder and longer. At AirGreen, we recommend checking and replacing filters every 1 to 3 months, depending on the environment.
Example in Boisbriand (North Shore): A filter that hadn’t been changed in two years caused the compressor to overheat and slashed energy efficiency by 40%. After a full maintenance service, including replacing the HEPA filter and cleaning the coils, the system was restored to peak performance.
Poor thermostat settings
A misconfigured or poorly placed thermostat can lead to improper cycles. Temperatures set too high in winter or too low in summer will trigger the system unnecessarily.
Installation in Old Montreal: We replaced a manual thermostat with a smart thermostat compatible with the Bosch BIVA IDS Premium R-454b. By programming optimized cycles based on the customer’s daily habits, electricity usage dropped by 18% in just two months.
Inadequate home insulation
Even the best central heat pump installed by AirGreen can’t compensate for a poorly insulated home. During our thermal inspections, we frequently detect heat loss through windows, doors, attics, or walls.
Single-family home in Saint-Hubert (South Shore): By adding R-50 insulation in the attic and installing a 2.5-ton ACD central heat pump, the interior temperature was stabilized and heating demand cut in half.
Neglected HVAC maintenance
Central heat pumps require regular maintenance to operate efficiently. Coil cleaning, refrigerant level checks, and electrical inspections are just a few tasks we perform during our annual HVAC maintenance visits in Montreal and surrounding areas.
Client in Repentigny: After three years without maintenance, dirt buildup on the evaporator blocked heat transfer. The result: an overworked compressor, unstable temperature, and an extra $320 on the monthly bill. Our intervention brought the system back to full performance.
How to tell if your heat pump is inefficient
Here are some common warning signs:
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Rising electricity bills without any increase in usage
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Uneven or unstable indoor temperatures
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Unusual noises or frequent on-off cycling
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Lukewarm air when heating or cooling
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Musty or damp odors
What we do at AirGreen
At AirGreen, we offer much more than just central heat pump installations. We provide:
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Accurate HVAC diagnostics, including thermal imaging, airflow testing, and energy analysis
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Tailored preventive maintenance, adapted to each system and building
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Custom replacement recommendations, with model suggestions based on available rebates
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Support in securing grants like Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program
We serve Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, and both the North Shore and South Shore daily to ensure optimal comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term performance.
The key takeaway
A central heat pump is a powerful tool for comfort and energy savings—if it’s well maintained, properly sized, and installed by experts. If your energy bills are climbing for no clear reason, don’t put off a professional inspection. A clogged filter or leaking duct could be costing you hundreds of dollars every year.
Trust the team at AirGreen, where every installation is thoughtfully designed, every maintenance service is personalized, and every customer benefits from our unmatched HVAC expertise in residential and commercial heating and cooling.