Wall-mounted, multizone or central heat pump: which one?
The right type mostly depends on one question: does your home already have ductwork?
Wall-mounted heat pump (single head)
One outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit mounted on the wall, with no ducts.
- Suits: an open-plan area, one floor, a finished basement or a cottage.
- Good to know: air doesn't reach closed rooms well. Bedrooms often stay heated by baseboards.
Multizone heat pump
One outdoor unit connected to several indoor units, each with its own control.
- Suits: a home without ducts where you want to heat and cool several rooms or floors.
- Good to know: each indoor unit needs lines run to it and maintenance. Ask how the system behaves when only one room calls for heat.
Central heat pump
One outdoor unit connected to a coil installed in your ductwork, often alongside the existing furnace or a new air handler.
- Suits: a home that already has ducts, for example with an electric, gas or oil furnace.
- Good to know: the condition and size of the ducts matter. Ask whether the existing ducts are suitable and what will heat the house in extreme cold (backup heat).
Replacing an old heat pump?
Ask whether the mount, lines and electrical connection can be reused, and have removal of the old unit included in the quote.
Questions to ask, whatever the type
- What heating capacity does the unit deliver at -15 °C and -25 °C, according to the manufacturer's spec sheet?
- Where will the outdoor and indoor units go? Will the outdoor unit be raised and protected from snow?
- How loud is the outdoor unit? Your municipality may have rules on noise and placement.
- Is the unit eligible for rebates? Get it in writing.
Then compare the answers with our checklist: 8 things to check in a quote.
Free, no obligation. At most 3 RBQ-licensed contractors receive your request. Updated October 28, 2026.