Electric heating and cooling

Electrical installation for baseboard heating, heat pumps, air conditioners and in-floor heat in Edmonton homes and buildings, with load calculations and permits.

Heating and cooling run on electricity

Even a gas furnace needs power for its blower and controls. Electric baseboards, heat pumps, air conditioners and in-floor heat are some of the largest loads in any home or building. Getting the circuits, controls and capacity right makes the equipment safer, quieter and more efficient.

Alberta Electrical handles the electrical work for heating and cooling across Edmonton and the surrounding area:

• Electric baseboard heating for basements, additions, cabins and whole houses.
• Heat pump wiring for cold-climate heat pumps, including backup heat and controls.
• Air conditioner installation circuits, disconnects and thermostat wiring.
• In-floor heating with electric mats and cables under tile, and electrical for hydronic systems.

Whether you are finishing a basement, replacing an old furnace with a heat pump, or adding air conditioning before the next heat wave, the electrical plan is part of the job, not an afterthought.

For commercial buildings, we wire rooftop units, make-up air units, unit heaters in shops and warehouses, and the controls that tie them to building automation. The same rule applies: confirm the capacity, size each circuit from the nameplate and coordinate with the mechanical contractor.

Capacity comes first

Many Edmonton houses have 100 A services, and older homes may still have 60 A. Adding a heat pump with electric backup heat, or converting a basement to baseboard heat, can push a panel past what it can safely carry. A load calculation under the Canadian Electrical Code tells us whether the new equipment fits.

If it does not, there are choices: managing loads so they do not all run at once, choosing equipment with smaller backup heat, or a service upgrade. We will explain the trade-offs rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.

Older homes deserve a second look before adding big loads. Aluminium branch wiring from the 1960s and 70s, panels from manufacturers with known problems, and overloaded or double-tapped breakers are all worth fixing before new heating or cooling equipment goes in. We point them out during the load calculation visit.

Working with your HVAC contractor

Heat pumps, air conditioners and furnaces are installed by HVAC trades who handle refrigerant, gas and ductwork. We handle everything electrical. Coordinating the two avoids the classic problems: a unit set where no circuit can reach, a breaker sized wrong for the nameplate, or a thermostat that cannot control both the heat pump and the backup heat.

We are happy to work with the HVAC contractor you choose, or to recommend one.

Safety and permits

New heating and cooling circuits require an electrical permit. In Edmonton the City issues it; in other municipalities it depends on where you live. We take care of the permit and inspection.

What drives cost

We do not post prices. Costs depend on the equipment and its electrical requirements, the distance from the panel, whether walls and ceilings are open, panel space and capacity, the thermostat and control system, and whether a service upgrade is needed. Combining heating, cooling and other upgrades into one project often saves on permits and disruption.

Timing helps too. Air conditioning installs book up quickly before the first summer heat wave, and heating work is busiest in the fall. Planning a few months ahead gives you more choice of dates.

Questions we hear