Cooling Services in Ottawa
Central air, heat pumps and ductless systems sized for Ottawa's humid summers
- 5.0 · 578 Google reviews
- TSSA & HRAI approved
- 24/7 emergency service
- Family-owned since 2014
Central air, heat pumps and ductless systems sized for Ottawa’s humid summers
- Free quotes on any equipment purchase
- Financing from $49/month (OAC)
- All makes and models serviced
Three ways to cool an Ottawa home
Our cooling services in Ottawa cover the three systems that make sense in this climate. Which one fits depends mostly on whether your home has ductwork and how you heat it in winter.
Central air conditioner.
An outdoor condenser paired with a coil on top of your furnace, sharing the furnace's ducts and blower. It cools only. See AC installation in Ottawa.
Ducted heat pump.
Looks like an AC from the outside but reverses in winter to heat the house. Cold-climate models keep heating to around −25 °C to −30 °C, and most Ottawa installs keep the gas furnace as backup. See heat pump installation.
Ductless mini-split.
A wall-mounted indoor head connected to a compact outdoor unit by refrigerant lines. It heats and cools one room or several, with no ducts at all. See ductless mini-splits.
Portable and window units still have a place in a rental or a single room, but they are loud, inefficient and do little for humidity in the rest of the house.
Choosing a system for Ottawa humidity
In Ottawa, the hardest part of a heat wave is usually the humidity, not the temperature. A 30 °C day with a humidex of 35 to 40 feels miserable indoors unless the system pulls moisture out of the air, so humidity control should drive the decision as much as cooling capacity.
Right-sized beats oversized
An oversized air conditioner cools the air quickly, satisfies the thermostat and shuts off before the indoor coil has time to remove moisture. The result is a cold, clammy house. A correctly sized unit runs longer, steadier cycles and keeps indoor humidity in the comfortable 40–50% range.
Variable speed helps most
Two-stage and variable-speed (inverter) systems run at low output most of the summer, which is exactly what removes moisture best. They cost more up front but are noticeably quieter and more even, especially in split-level and two-storey homes where the upstairs runs hot.
| System | Best for | Also heats? | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | Homes with a gas furnace and ducts | No | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Furnace + AC together | Both units near end of life | Yes (gas) | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Ducted cold-climate heat pump | Ducted homes wanting lower-carbon heat | Yes | $9,000–$18,000 |
| Ductless mini-split, single zone | One room, addition or basement | Yes | $3,500–$6,500 |
| Ductless mini-split, multi-zone | Homes with no ducts (baseboard or boiler) | Yes | $7,000–$16,000 |
Final price depends on your home, the equipment you choose and the ductwork, venting and electrical work involved. Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase.
Our cooling services in Ottawa
One licensed team handles every part of your cooling system, from the first quote to the yearly tune-up. All of our technicians hold refrigeration and gas licences, so the same person can work on your AC and the furnace it depends on. Already have a system? Book AC repair, a spring AC tune-up or heat pump repair.
AC installation
Central air conditioners from Lennox, Goodman and all major brands, sized with a proper load check. Same-week installation, and many installs finish in a day.
Learn more →AC repair
Diagnosis and repair on every make and model, from failed capacitors to refrigerant leaks. Same-day service is often available, with 24/7 emergency calls.
Learn more →AC maintenance
A 16-point spring inspection that cleans the condenser, checks refrigerant charge and tests electrical parts before the first heat wave.
Learn more →Heat pump installation
Cold-climate ducted heat pumps, including hybrid setups that keep your gas furnace as backup for the coldest nights.
Learn more →Heat pump repair
Defrost faults, ice build-up, reversing valves, refrigerant leaks and backup-heat problems, in summer or in the middle of January.
Learn more →Ductless mini-splits
Single-zone and multi-zone systems for additions, basements, condos and homes heated by baseboards or boilers.
Learn more →Replacing an old AC? Consider a heat pump
If your air conditioner is 12 to 15 years old and your furnace still has life left, a heat pump is worth pricing alongside a straight AC replacement. It does the same cooling job in summer, then heats the house through spring, fall and most of winter.
In a hybrid setup, the gas furnace takes over automatically when it gets very cold, so you are never relying on the heat pump alone at −30 °C. Rebates may be available for qualifying heat pumps; Oria will check current programs for your home. See our HVAC rebates page for details.
A heat pump costs more to install than an AC, so it is not the right answer for every home. We will price both options so you can compare.
Signs your cooling system needs attention
Most air conditioners give some warning before they quit, usually in the first humid week of June when they are working hardest. Call for service if you notice any of these:
- Air from the vents is cool but not cold, or the house never gets below 24–25 °C on a hot afternoon.
- The outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin, or it clicks on and off every few minutes.
- Ice on the copper lines or water pooling around the furnace.
- Indoor humidity stays above about 55% even with the AC running.
- Hydro bills are climbing in summer with no change in how you use the AC.
Some problems have simple fixes you can check first, like a tripped breaker or a clogged filter. Our article on what to do if your AC is not working walks through them. If the unit is over 15 years old or uses R-22 refrigerant, it is usually time to compare repair with replacement.
Family-owned, serving Ottawa since 2014
- 5.0 stars from 578 Google reviews · Google Guaranteed
- TSSA and HRAI approved, with licensed refrigeration and gas technicians
- Same-week AC installation · financing from $49/month on approved credit
- 24/7 emergency service · licensed to work in Gatineau, Quebec
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers from licensed Ottawa technicians. Still have a question? Call us any time.
What is the best type of air conditioning for an Ottawa home?
For a house with ducts and a working gas furnace, a correctly sized central air conditioner or a ducted cold-climate heat pump is usually the best fit. Homes without ducts, such as those heated by baseboards or a boiler, are better served by ductless mini-splits. The right choice depends on your heating system, budget and how humid your home gets in summer.
How much does it cost to add air conditioning in Ottawa?
A central air conditioner replacement typically costs $4,000–$8,000 installed in Ottawa. A ducted cold-climate heat pump runs $9,000–$18,000, a single-zone ductless mini-split $3,500–$6,500 and a multi-zone system $7,000–$16,000. These are typical ranges before rebates. Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase so you get a firm price for your home.
Should I get a heat pump instead of an air conditioner?
If you are replacing an aging AC anyway, a heat pump is worth comparing. It cools exactly like an AC in summer and also heats your home for much of the year, with your gas furnace as backup in deep cold. It costs more to install, so Oria prices both options side by side and checks current rebate programs for your home.
How long does a central air conditioner last in Ottawa?
Most central air conditioners in Ottawa last 12 to 20 years. Our short cooling season helps, but freeze-thaw cycles, cottonwood fluff and skipped maintenance shorten that. Once a unit passes 15 years, or if it uses R-22 refrigerant, it makes sense to start planning a replacement rather than waiting for it to fail in a July heat wave.
Do you offer emergency AC repair in Ottawa?
Yes. Oria Heating and Cooling offers 24/7 emergency service for air conditioners, as well as furnaces, water heaters, humidifiers and HRVs. Same-day repair is often available during regular hours. Our technicians repair all makes and models, and we were voted third place for Best Air Conditioning Repair in the 2022 Ottawa Choice Awards.
Do you install air conditioning in Gatineau?
Yes. Oria holds the licences required to work in Gatineau, Quebec, in addition to our Ontario TSSA and HRAI approvals. Many Gatineau homes are heated with electric baseboards, which makes ductless mini-splits and heat pumps a popular choice there, since they add air conditioning and efficient heating at the same time.
Book Service or Get a Free Quote
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Serving Ottawa, Gatineau and the Surrounding Area
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