The Complete 2026 Guide to Ouellet Heating: Reliable, Quiet, and Built to Last
We have all been there. It is 3:00 AM in the dead of winter. You are finally drifting into a deep sleep when suddenly, TICK... TICK... CRACK... TICK.
No, your house isn't haunted. It’s just your cheap electric baseboard heater expanding and contracting as it heats up. It is the "symphony of metal" that has kept Canadians awake for decades.
If you are tired of the midnight noise, or the "cold bathroom dash" in the morning, it might be time to look at Ouellet. As one of our most requested brands at Maple Electric Supply, Ouellet offers a solution that prioritizes silence, safety, and engineering precision.
When it comes to heating Canadian homes and businesses, reliability is not optional it is a necessity. Ouellet Canada has established itself as a premier manufacturer of heating solutions, offering everything from standard baseboards to complex commercial unit heaters.
At Maple Electric Supply, Ouellet is one of our most requested brands. But with a catalog that ranges from 120V residential heaters to 600V industrial units, choosing the right product can be tricky.
Here is a deep dive into why Ouellet products are effective, which ones are our top sellers, and how to navigate installation.
Why Ouellet Products Are Effective
The primary reason professionals choose Ouellet is the engineering focused on acoustic comfort and safety.
• Silence by Design: One of the biggest complaints about electric heating is the "ticking" noise caused by thermal expansion. Ouellet addresses this in their standard baseboards by using a floating heating element mounted on high-temperature nylon bushings. This eliminates metal-on-metal friction, resulting in silent operation.
• Durability: These aren't flimsy plastic units. The fan heaters often feature shock-resistant cast aluminum front covers, while baseboards are constructed with 22-gauge steel bodies.
• Safety Features: For families, safety is paramount. Models like the OFM baseboard feature rounded upper corners to prevent injury and linear high-limit temperature controls with automatic reset to prevent overheating.
Types of Products Available
Ouellet divides its massive catalog into three distinct categories to meet specific building codes and needs.
1. Residential (Produits Résidentiels)
This category focuses on comfort and aesthetics. It includes:
• Baseboards & Convectors: The standard for bedroom and living room heating.
• Radiant Floor Heating: Supported by specific "Heated Floor Calculators" to ensure perfect sizing.
• Heat Pumps: Including the Capella, Slim24 HH, and ACD series.
2. Commercial & Industrial
Built for warehouses, garages, and offices, these include:
• Unit Heaters (Aérothermes): For heating large open spaces.
• Air Curtains (Rideaux d’air): To maintain climate control at entryways.
• Explosion-Proof Units (Antidéflagrants): Specialized heaters for hazardous industrial environment.
3. Controls & Thermostats
Ouellet offers a full range of controls, from simple mechanical dials to "Smart Controls" (Contrôles intelligents) that optimize energy usage.
Top Sellers at Maple Electric (And Why)
Based on customer demand, these are the two standout products in the Ouellet lineup:
1. The OFM Standard Baseboard Heater This is the workhorse of the residential line. It is the most compact baseboard option available, maximizing your wall space without sacrificing heat output.
• Why it sells: It is versatile. Available in voltages from 120V to 240V/208V, it features a white epoxy finish that can be repainted with interior paint to match any room.
2. The OVC Compact Electronic Fan Heater When you have a cold bathroom or hallway but no wall space for a long baseboard, this is the solution.
• Why it sells: It delivers immediate, intense heat using a whisper-quiet squirrel-cage fan. It packs up to 1500W of power into a very small footprint.
Honest Opinion: Ease of Installation
Is Ouellet a DIY brand? Yes and No.
The Pros: Ouellet provides incredible support for installation. Their website offers 2D and 3D CAD drawings for architects and specific power calculation tools to help you size the system correctly.
The Challenge (The "Voltage Trap"): The biggest challenge with installation isn't mounting the unit; it is the electrical compatibility. Ouellet products are strictly rated for specific voltages (e.g., 208V vs. 240V).
• Warning: If you install a 208V heater on a 240V residential line, you risk overheating the unit. Conversely, a 240V unit on a 208V line will underperform.
• Because of this, we strongly recommend installation by a licensed electrician or qualified professional.
Why Buy from Maple Electric vs. "Direct"?
You might be tempted to try and buy directly from the manufacturer, but Ouellet operates on a distributor model. Their site directs users to "Find a Distributor" (Trouver un distributeur) and utilizes a secure Extranet for partners.
Buying from Maple Electric Supply offers three distinct advantages:
1. Access: We carry the inventory that is otherwise gated behind the distributor network.
2. Match Support: We prevent the "Voltage Trap" mentioned above. If you send us your model details and what you are connecting to, we ensure you get the exact 208V or 240V part you need.
3. Warranty Support: Ouellet requires a "Retailer Adhesion Form" for warranties on complex items like heat pump. As an authorized supplier, purchasing through us establishes the paper trail needed to protect your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Ouellet baseboards noisy? A: No. They use nylon bushings to float the heating element, specifically designed to reduce expansion noises.
Q: Can I paint my Ouellet heater? A: Yes, the standard baseboard finish is designed to be repainted with interior paint to match your decor.
Q: Does the OVC fan heater have a built-in thermostat? A: It depends on the model. The "-PW" model requires a separate non-pulsing wall-mounted thermostat, while the "-TH" model has a built-in electronic thermostat.
Q: Where can I get technical help? A: Ouellet offers a dedicated customer service line, but for immediate help matching a part to your order, you can contact Maple Electric directly.
