One Montréal renter said a planned HVAC upgrade may come with a massive limitation after the landlord notified them that he didn't want the heat pump used for heating.
The restriction would keep the household on inefficient electric baseboards instead of the cheaper and more efficient heat pump.
Here's what to know
The tenant laid out the situation in a post to Reddit's r/heatpumps community. The apartment in question was a 1,250-square-foot third-floor unit in a 120-year-old triplex. The roof membrane, lining, and flashing were replaced in 2024.
"He's worried that there will be so much ice accumulation during winter use around the unit that it will put undue pressure in one spot, creating another issue," the original poster wrote, asking if the concerns were warranted.
Because the compressor would be mounted on a stand on the roof, the landlord was worried that weight would be concentrated. Winter access was difficult enough that regular maintenance would be limited.
The tenant was trying to determine whether that concern reflected a real technical issue or an overly cautious decision that would stand in the way of lower energy bills.
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"The baseboards will cost you 3x more than the heat pump for heat," one commenter said. "He's probably getting an incentive for putting it in BECAUSE it reduces consumption."
Another wrote: "It's not going to be an issue. Melted water is only created in defrost mode, and most of that minimal water evaporates away. I'd forget he said that."
More background
Heat pumps are often viewed as one of the simplest ways to reduce home energy use while improving comfort in both summer and winter. In a cold-weather city such as Montréal, the heating side of that equation is especially important.
Of course, rooftop equipment requires careful planning. Snow loads, drainage, mounting height, wind exposure, vibration, and warranty requirements can all shape installation decisions.
Still, renters often run into uninformed rules from their landlords that block money-saving lifestyle changes, from growing food in gardens to hanging clotheslines instead of using dryers.
A dispute over whether a heat pump can be used for heating fits into that broader pattern of people wanting lower bills and more efficient homes but running into restrictions they do not control.
Where can I learn more?
Whether renters can benefit from efficient heating and cooling often comes down to landlord rules and building policies. The stories below look at what happens when HVAC choices, repair delays, and outdated standards leave tenants paying more or sacrificing comfort at home.
• A renter's frustrations with their landlord's HVAC decision turned a heat pump upgrade into a debate.
• In Minnesota, refused heating repairs left one renter facing frigid rooms and higher bills.
• Across the U.S., landlords opt out of air conditioning even as dangerous heat intensifies.
These stories are a reminder that access to efficient climate control often depends on decisions renters do not get to make themselves.
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