Red Seal electrical
Electrical Services
Our team includes fully certified Red Seal electricians. That means the electrical side of every heat pump we install is done right — and it means we can take on your service upgrade, generator system or new-construction wiring as a standalone job.
- Red Seal
- Interprovincially certified electricians
- 100 → 200 / 400 A
- Service upgrades for homes and businesses
- Permitted
- Every job permitted and inspected
Sound familiar?
Why people call our electricians
A panel that cannot take a heat pump
Fuse boxes and crowded 100-amp panels are common in older Nova Scotia homes. We either upgrade the service or add load management so the heat pump can go in.
Insurance asking for 200 amps
For a centrally ducted heat pump to be your main heat source, insurers usually expect 200-amp service. We handle the upgrade, permit and inspection.
Outages with no backup
A generator panel or a Generac automatic transfer system keeps the heat pump, fridge and well pump running when the power goes out.
Drag to rotate · tap a number
Inside the panel
What a heat-pump-ready electrical service looks like
The parts of a clean, insurable installation, all done by Red Seal electricians and inspected under permit.
Electrical services
From the service entrance to the last light switch
Our fully certified team of Red Seal electricians takes on the heavy work and the finishing work alike.
- 01
Service upgrades: 100 to 200 or 400 amps
New panel, meter base and service entrance, coordinated with the utility, so your home has capacity for electric heat, an EV and whatever comes next.
Best for: Heat pump conversions, older homes, additions
- 02
3-phase service entrances
Three-phase feeds and distribution for commercial buildings, shops and heavy equipment.
Best for: Commercial and light-industrial buildings
- 03
Generator panels and Generac transfer systems
Manual generator panels or fully automatic Generac transfer switches sized for the circuits you want protected.
Best for: Rural properties, homes with wells and heat pumps
- 04
Indoor and outdoor lighting
Pot lights, landscape and security lighting, LED retrofits and controls.
Best for: Renovations, kitchens, driveways and yards
- 05
Hot tub installations
Dedicated GFCI-protected circuits, disconnects and bonding for hot tubs and spas.
Best for: Backyard upgrades
- 06
HVAC wiring, new construction and load management
Heat pump circuits, disconnects and surge protection; complete wiring for new builds; load-management devices that avoid a panel upgrade.
Best for: Every heat pump we install, new homes, tight panels
Step by step
How a service upgrade goes
Most upgrades are completed in a day, with the power off for only part of it.
- 1
Assess the panel and your loads
We look at what you have, what you are adding and what the insurer or utility expects, then quote the upgrade or a load-management alternative.
- 2
Permit and utility coordination
We pull the electrical permit and coordinate the disconnect and reconnect with the utility so the day runs smoothly.
- 3
Install the new service
New panel, breakers, grounding and bonding, meter base and service mast as required, all to current code.
- 4
Inspect, label, hand over
The inspector signs off, every breaker is labelled in the directory, and we walk you through the panel.
From our technicians
Straight talk about panels and heat pumps
What our electricians explain on almost every heat pump quote.
- 01
Most panels can take a ductless system
Most electrical panels and even fuse boxes can work with ductless split heat pumps. Sometimes an upgrade is needed, and we tell you on the first visit, not on installation day.
- 02
Ducted usually means 200 amps
For centrally ducted heating systems you usually need a 200-amp service for the heat pump to be considered the main heat source for insurance.
- 03
Fuses to breakers
Whether you need to switch from fuses to breakers or upgrade from 100 to 200 amps, we handle the whole job including the permit.
- 04
The economical alternative
To avoid the expense of a panel upgrade, a load-management device such as a Load Miser can be installed with the heat pump to keep total demand within your service.
- 05
Disconnect boxes
Wherever you see a heat pump you will find a disconnect box nearby. It connects the panel to the heat pump and lets technicians cut power quickly for service. Only certified electricians should install them.
- 06
Surge protectors
Essential for any heat pump installation. They absorb excess current and safeguard the system's electronics during a lightning strike. Green light out or red light on means it is time to replace it.
Is it right for you?
Certified electrical work, from the panel out.
- Service upgrades from 100 A to 200 A or 400 A
- Fuse boxes that need to become breaker panels
- Standby generators and Generac automatic transfer systems
- Hot tubs, EV-ready circuits, lighting and new builds
- 01
Panels sized for electric heat
Most panels can run a ductless heat pump, but a centrally ducted system is usually expected to have a 200-amp service to count as a main heat source for insurance. We assess your panel and quote the upgrade up front.
- 02
Load management instead of a full upgrade
Where a panel upgrade is not in the budget, a 'Load Miser' style load-management device installed with the heat pump can be a more economical option.
- 03
Disconnects and surge protection
Every heat pump gets a nearby disconnect box so power can be cut safely for service, and a surge protector that absorbs lightning-induced spikes. Only certified electricians should install them.
- 04
Generators and 3-phase
From generator panels and automatic transfer switches to 3-phase service entrances for commercial buildings, we handle the heavy electrical work too.
What's included
Everything, itemized.
No vague line items. This is what a typical project with us covers.
- Electrical service upgrades, 100 A to 200 A or 400 A
- 3-phase service entrances
- Generator panels and Generac automatic transfer systems
- Indoor and outdoor lighting
- Hot tub and spa installations
- HVAC wiring, disconnects and surge protection
- New-construction wiring
Recent work
From our job sites.
Real installations across Nova Scotia, photographed by our own crew.
Upgraded 200-amp electrical panel with labelled breakers 
Heat pump disconnect and line-set cover on an exterior wall 
Outdoor unit with disconnect box installed beside it
What our clients say
Comfort you can feel. Service you remember.
The service from Smart Heat Pumps was impeccable! Their technicians were knowledgeable and efficient, transforming our home's comfort level in no time.
I highly recommend Smart Heat Pumps. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and quality solutions is evident in their work and the results.
Common questions
About electrical services
If yours isn't here, call — a technician will answer it.
What is a Red Seal electrician?
Red Seal is Canada's interprovincial standard of excellence for skilled trades. A Red Seal electrician has passed the national certification exam and can work to that standard anywhere in the country.
Do I need 200-amp service for a heat pump?
Not usually for a ductless system. For a centrally ducted heat pump to be your main heat source, insurers generally expect 200-amp service. We confirm what your home needs during the assessment.
Do you pull permits and arrange inspections?
Yes. All electrical work is permitted and inspected as required in Nova Scotia.
Can you wire a generator to run my heat pump in an outage?
Yes. We install generator panels and automatic transfer systems sized for the circuits you want protected, including the heat pump.
More from Smart
Other ways we can help
- Ductless Mini-Split Heat PumpsSingle- and multi-zone systems for homes without ductwork.
- Ducted & Central Heat PumpsWhole-home air handlers that use your existing ducts — including oil-furnace conversions and add-on heat pumps that pair with your furnace.
- Heat Pump Repair & MaintenanceDiagnostics, repairs and preventive tune-ups that keep any heat pump running efficiently through Nova Scotia winters.
- HRV / ERV Installation & MaintenanceHeat and energy recovery ventilators that swap stale indoor air for fresh air — without throwing away the heat you paid for.
- Commercial HVACDesign, installation and service of heat pump systems for shops, offices, restaurants and multi-unit buildings across Nova Scotia.
Start your comfort journey
Get a free, no-pressure quote for your home or business.
Tell us a little about your place and we'll arrange a visit, size the right system and show you exactly what it costs after rebates.
- Call or text902-220-4182
- Emailinfo@smarteheatpumps.com
- Service areaAll of Nova Scotia