CAA Habitation recommendedHome › Guides › Hot tubs, pools and heat pumps
Heat pump: the electrical hookup
Disconnect near the unit, a circuit from the panel, a load calculation: the electrical side of a heat pump, from the outdoor unit to the panel.
In short
This guide covers the electrical side of a heat pump: powering it, not choosing the unit or installing it.
- The Code requires a separate disconnecting means for each motor branch circuit.
- For any air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, it must be visible and within 3 m of the unit.
- One more load means a load calculation to redo.
- We hook up heat pumps.
Jump to a section5
The electrician’s role
The electrician powers the unit: a circuit from the panel, a disconnect near the outdoor unit, and the calculation that tells whether the panel can keep up.
According to the Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec, no one may perform electrical work of any kind, in their own home or elsewhere for others, unless they are an electrical contractor.
The disconnect near the unit
Its job: cut the heat pump’s power so it can be worked on without current.
The Code requires a separate disconnecting means for each motor branch circuit.
For any air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, it requires a disconnecting means in a suitable location, visible and within 3 m of the equipment (2018 edition, Rule 28-604 5)).
Panel capacity
With a heat pump, the installation carries one more load: the Régie du bâtiment then requires recalculating the feeders and the service upstream.
In its sample load calculation for a house, the Régie counts a two-unit (split) air conditioner along with the other appliances.
A central heat pump changes the math, especially if the existing electric heating stays in place as backup. The details are in our guides on the 200 amp panel and on 100 amp service.
A heat pump to hook up?
We do the load calculation, and the price is in the quote, which is free.
Send my quote requestWhat we do
We hook up heat pumps.
With us, the load calculation comes first, before any proposal.
The price is in the quote, which is free.
Frequently asked questions
Do you do the electrical hookup of a heat pump?
Yes, we hook up heat pumps.
Is a disconnect needed near the outdoor unit?
For any air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, the Code (2018 edition, Rule 28-604 5)) requires a disconnecting means that is visible and within 3 m of the equipment.
Is my panel enough for a heat pump?
The load calculation decides, and it gets redone with every added load. A central heat pump changes the math, especially with electric backup heat.
Can the HVAC installer do the electrical part?
According to the Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec, no one may perform electrical work for others unless they are an electrical contractor.
When should the disconnect be replaced?
If its box rusts or cracks, if its handle sticks, or if the heat pump it feeds is replaced.
A heat pump to hook up?
We do the load calculation, install the disconnect, and the price is in the quote.
4.9 from 469 Google reviews · RBQ licence 5815-0137-01 · CMEQ members · Free detailed quote
Get a quote: heat pump
Sources
Consulted on October 28, 2026.