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Halifax · Dartmouth · Bedford · Lower Sackville · Hammonds Plains / Fall River · HRM
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Sheet Metal Worker · Halifax HRM

Heat Pump Ductwork & Retrofit in Halifax

Before a ducted heat pump goes in, the ductwork has to be assessed — switching from oil, upgrading old forced-air, or going ducted all put new demands on the air side. We handle the ductwork; for refrigerant, AC, and commissioning we work with licensed heat-pump partners.

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Insulated flexible duct tied into rigid sheet metal takeoffs in a commercial ceiling

What we do

Switching from oil, upgrading old forced-air, or going ducted for the first time all put new demands on the ductwork. We assess what you have, then modify or rebuild the air side so a ducted heat pump can actually deliver the airflow it's rated for. The refrigerant connections and commissioning are handled by our licensed heat-pump partners.

What's included

  • Assessment of your existing ductwork against the new system's airflow needs
  • Duct resizing and modification for oil-to-heat-pump conversions
  • Rebuilt supply and return paths for higher-airflow ducted heat pumps
  • New plenums, transitions and takeoffs matched to the indoor unit
  • Air-side coordination with your licensed heat-pump installer
How heat pumps work with us: We handle the air side — ductwork, ventilation, and airflow. Refrigerant connections, AC, and commissioning are handled by our licensed RACM heat-pump partners, so the full install is done properly. Refrigerant work is a compulsory certified trade in Nova Scotia.

Signs it's time to call us

You're switching off oil and moving to a ducted heat pump
Your installer says the existing ducts are undersized for the new unit
Old forced-air runs that were never sized for heat-pump airflow
Rooms that already don't heat evenly on the current system

Frequently asked questions

Do I need new ductwork for a heat pump in Nova Scotia?

Not always — but the existing ductwork must be assessed first. Old or undersized duct runs often need modification so a ducted heat pump can actually deliver the airflow it's rated for.

Can I keep my existing ducts for a heat pump?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. A ducted heat pump moves more air than an old oil furnace, so undersized or leaky ducts often need modifying first. We assess what you have before anyone orders equipment.

Do you install the heat pump itself?

We do the air side — ductwork, ventilation, and airflow. Refrigerant connections and commissioning are handled by our licensed RACM heat-pump partners, so the full install is done properly.

Working with us

How the work gets done

01Send the detailsTell us what's happening and share photos if you have them.
02Review the projectWe assess the home, airflow, ductwork or ventilation issue.
03Quote the workClear recommendations, honest scope, and next steps.
04Install cleanlyCompleted with attention to airflow and sheet metal finish.

More services

Furnace Conversion Ductwork

Getting off oil? We ready the ductwork side of your furnace-to-heat-pump conversion so the new system delivers.

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Ductwork Installation & Replacement

New duct runs, replacements, trunk and branch lines, transitions and clean sheet metal installation.

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HRV, ERV & Air Exchangers

Fresh-air ventilation for tight new builds and older moisture-prone homes — install, replace, or re-duct the air exchanger.

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Helpful guides

Small-Duct High-Velocity HVAC, Explained

A small-duct high-velocity (SDHV) system heats and cools a whole home through insulated flexible supply tubes roughly 2 inches across, small enough to route through existing wall cavities, closets, and joist bays — which is why the technology was developed in the 1970s for older homes that can't take conventional ductwork. Air is delivered at high velocity through small, discreet outlets, mixing each room evenly and dehumidifying better than standard systems. Paired with a cold-climate inverter heat pump, an SDHV system heats reliably in Nova Scotia winters. The three established manufacturers are Unico, SpacePak, and Canadian-built Hi-Velocity. Done right — a proper heat-loss calculation, a generous outlet count, and sound-attenuating tubing at every outlet — it runs quietly; those design steps are what separate a good install from a noisy one.

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How Much Does Ductwork Cost — and How Long Does It Last?

As a planning estimate only, a full ductwork replacement in a typical 1,500 sq ft Canadian home commonly starts around $4,500–$7,500 for straightforward access, but budget $8,000–$12,000 or more once finished walls, multiple storeys, added returns, or custom transitions are involved — which is most real homes. Material runs roughly $15–$25 per linear foot for insulated flex and $30–$45 for galvanized sheet metal, and materials are commonly 40–50% of the bill. Lifespan is a material question, and the gap is large: InterNACHI's inspection standard puts ducting at 60 to 100 years, while flexible duct is more typically 10–15. Most homes don't need full replacement — targeted rework plus sealing is far more common and much cheaper. These are estimates, not quotes: the scope of your specific project determines the cost, and only seeing the system produces a real number.

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Heat Pump Rebates in Nova Scotia: What's Left in 2026

The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) is closed to new applicants in Nova Scotia — its funding was fully allocated and Efficiency Nova Scotia stopped taking applications on July 2, 2026. (The federal program page lists a July 31, 2026 deadline, but Nova Scotia homeowners apply through Efficiency Nova Scotia, so that date no longer helps here.) The federal Canada Greener Homes grant and loan are also closed to new applicants. What remains is the Home Energy Assessment path and the income-tested Moderate Income Rebate, which can be combined. Amounts and availability change often, so confirm current details with Efficiency Nova Scotia before you plan around them.

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How to Choose a Sheet Metal Contractor in Halifax

To choose a sheet metal contractor in Halifax, look for someone who specializes in the air side — ductwork, ventilation, and fabrication — not just equipment sales. Ask whether they fabricate custom fittings, how they handle return air and duct sizing, and how they deal with refrigerant work (which is a separate licensed trade in Nova Scotia). A clear written scope, references, insurance, and honesty about what they don't do matter more than the lowest price.

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Oil Furnace to Heat Pump Conversion: What Happens to the Ductwork?

In an oil-furnace-to-heat-pump conversion, the existing ductwork usually stays in place, but it rarely comes along untouched. The old furnace is removed and a heat-pump air handler takes its spot, connected to the duct through a new plenum and coil transition. The ducts almost always need assessing, sealing, and often added return air and resizing, because a heat pump moves air differently than the oil furnace did.

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Ductwork Sizing for Ducted Heat Pumps

Ductwork sizing determines whether a ducted heat pump can move the air it's rated for. A heat pump needs a specific airflow (roughly 350–400 CFM per ton of capacity), and undersized supply or return ducts raise static pressure, cutting airflow below what the equipment needs. That robs heating and cooling capacity, increases noise, and shortens equipment life — which is why proper sizing matters more for a heat pump than it did for the old furnace.

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Common Ductwork Problems in Older Halifax Homes

The most common ductwork problems in older Halifax homes are leaky and disconnected joints, undersized or too-few cold-air returns, returns built out of open joist cavities instead of sealed metal, and crushed or kinked flexible duct. Each one wastes heat and starves rooms of air. Most are visible from the basement and fixable without replacing the whole system.

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Why Some Rooms Stay Cold After a Heat Pump Install

When one room stays cold after a heat pump install, the equipment is usually working fine — the ductwork feeding that room can't deliver enough warm air. Undersized branch ducts, too little return air, leaks in the basement or attic, and a system that was never balanced all starve the rooms farthest from the unit. The fix is almost always airflow, not the heat pump.

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Do You Need New Ductwork for a Heat Pump in Nova Scotia?

Not always — but your existing ductwork has to be checked first. A ducted heat pump moves more air, more continuously, and at a lower temperature than an oil or electric furnace, so ducts that worked for the furnace are often undersized, leaky, or short on return air. Most homes need targeted modifications, not a full replacement — an assessment tells you which.

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Ducted vs Ductless Heat Pumps for Halifax Homes

Choose a ducted heat pump for even, whole-home comfort when you already have — or can fit — good ductwork. Choose ductless mini-splits when you want to heat and cool specific rooms without running ducts, or your home has no ductwork at all. Many Halifax homes end up with a hybrid: ducted for the main living space, a mini-split for a stubborn room, addition, or basement.

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Heat Pump Ductwork & Retrofit Prep in Halifax HRM

Tell us what's happening and share a few photos — we'll get you a practical quote.

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