You heat with natural gas and you’re looking for a way to reduce your energy bill without sacrificing comfort? Dual-energy heating is probably the solution best suited to your situation, and it’s also one of the most financially supported options in Quebec right now. Here’s everything you need to know before getting started.
What is dual-energy heating?
A dual-energy heating system combines two energy sources in a single setup: an electric heat pump and your natural gas furnace. Both units work together automatically, based on the outdoor temperature.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- In mild to moderate weather, the heat pump handles heating and air conditioning. It runs on electricity, which is cheaper than natural gas the vast majority of the time.
- In extreme cold (-12°C and below), the natural gas furnace takes over automatically. It’s the most efficient option when temperatures drop sharply.
The result: each energy source works when it’s most advantageous, lowering your overall costs. And since the heat pump also cools your home in summer, you get a single system for both heating and air conditioning.
One important note: dual-energy heating is designed for homeowners who already have a central forced-air heating system running on natural gas. If that’s not your situation, other solutions apply.
Why dual-energy heating is particularly well-suited to Quebec
Quebec’s climate makes dual-energy heating an especially smart choice. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. A heat pump alone can struggle below -20°C or -25°C in standard configurations. With a dual-energy system, that’s not an issue: the gas furnace kicks in exactly when you need it most.
On the flip side, Quebec winters also bring plenty of days at -5°C or 0°C, and that’s where the heat pump excels: it produces heat while consuming far less energy than a furnace. In practice, electricity covers roughly 70% of annual heating needs in a dual-energy system, with natural gas handling the remaining 30% during the coldest periods.
There’s also a real environmental benefit. By reducing natural gas consumption by 70%, your home produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions without giving up comfort. That’s a balance neither energy source can achieve on its own.
Dual-energy heating rebates: up to $7,300 available in 2026
This is where dual-energy heating really stands out. Énergir’s rebate program, supported by the Government of Québec, offers substantial financial assistance to homeowners making the switch. Here are the maximum amounts shown by Énergir for warm-air heating:
- Single-family home or condo: up to $7,300
- Duplex or triplex: up to $9,100
For hot-water heating, the maximum amounts are $4,100 (single-family home or condo) and $4,800 (duplex or triplex). Additional help of up to $7,800 ($8,000 for a duplex or triplex) is available for electrical upgrades. The aid cannot exceed 80% of the project’s extra costs.
To qualify, you must be a residential Énergir customer with a central natural gas heating system (warm-air or hot-water) that has been installed for at least 12 months. The contract must be signed before the work starts with an Énergir partner. Exact amounts vary depending on the equipment installed and the building’s characteristics, and may change without notice. Amounts checked on energir.com on October 14, 2026.
For complete conditions and to verify your eligibility, you can visit Énergir’s dual-energy page directly.
As an Énergir partner, Ventilation Hitech can help you put together your rebate application and submit it correctly.
The Hydro-Québec DT rate: the advantage people often forget to mention
In addition to the installation rebate, switching to dual-energy heating gives you access to the Hydro-Québec DT rate. This is a preferential electricity rate that applies to your entire household consumption, not just heating.
The DT rate has two prices: an advantageous one when the temperature is -12 °C or -15 °C (depending on the region) or higher, and a higher one below that, when the gas furnace takes over. It applies to your dishwasher, dryer, electric vehicle charger and lighting, on top of your heat pump. Your savings depend on your habits: if you use a lot of electricity during extreme cold, the DT rate can cost more than Hydro-Québec’s regular rate.
Dual-energy heating in Laval and on the North Shore: Ventilation Hitech is an Énergir partner
Ventilation Hitech is an Énergir partner and has been based in Laval since 2005. We install dual-energy systems in Laval, Blainville, Terrebonne, Mascouche, Repentigny, Saint-Eustache, and the surrounding area.
What that means for you: you don’t have to navigate the rebate process alone. We know the Énergir dual-energy program inside and out, we know which units qualify, and we can handle submitting your rebate application once the work is done.
Fall is the right time to plan. Schedules fill up quickly as soon as the cold season hits, and a dual-energy system installed now means you start benefiting from the DT rate and the savings this winter.
Visit our heating services page to learn more about the systems we install, or our dual-energy heating system page for the full service details.
Frequently asked questions about dual-energy heating
Do I need to replace my entire furnace to switch to dual energy?
Not necessarily. In many cases, we add a heat pump to your existing natural gas forced-air system without replacing the furnace. An Énergir partner will assess your current installation to determine whether it’s compatible or whether additional work is needed.
Does a dual-energy heat pump work in very cold weather?
Yes, and that’s precisely the advantage of the dual-energy system. Below about -12°C, the natural gas furnace automatically takes over to ensure heating. You don’t have to do anything; the switch happens on its own. You get the reliability of natural gas during extreme cold snaps and the efficiency of the heat pump for the rest of the year.
Does a dual-energy system also cool the home in summer?
Yes. The heat pump included in a dual-energy system operates in cooling mode during summer. You get a single unit that heats in winter and cools in summer, without having to install a separate air conditioning system.
How long does a dual-energy system installation take?
Installation is typically completed in one day for a standard single-family home. Adding a heat pump to an existing furnace is less involved than a full heating system overhaul.
Questions about dual-energy heating?
Our team answers all your questions, no pressure.
(450) 662-9888
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