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The difference between a boiler and a hot water tank has to do with the way in which each uses the hot water that it produces.

Both boilers and hot water tanks take cool water, heat this water and then distribute it throughout a home via pipes. However, the water that is heated by a boiler is distributed throughout the home via pipes, radiators and radiant in-floor systems in order to heat it – to keep the rooms, floors, garage, etc. comfortable and warm.

On the other hand, a hot water tank heats water that is used for cooking and cleaning purposes – for showers, dishwashing, laundry, etc.

A furnace could stop working for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, furnaces stop working because of:

• Blocked or clogged vents, blowers, and/or ductwork
• A dirty, clogged filter
• Thermostat malfunctions (or just a low battery)
• Problem with your power supply
• Damage to the flue
• Issues with belts
• Problems with the pilot light
• Wiring issues

Winters in Edmonton, Alberta can be cold! Avoid layers upon layers of sweaters – if you’re experiencing any of the following issues, get your furnace repaired right away: 

• Strange smells, like burning or chemicals 
• You can’t turn the furnace on
• Inadequate and inconsistent heat. For example, some rooms are hotter than others and some rooms have no heat at all.
• Loud, banging or rattling noises

If you are in Edmonton and surrounding area, contact ProSolutions Inc, we’d love to be your HVAC company of choice!

Need a new heating system and wondering whether it’s better to rent or buy a furnace? Renting a furnace is definitely cheaper initially but is not the right option for every household.

If you rent a furnace, you will pay a monthly fee and the HVAC dealer will be responsible for maintenance and repairs. However, there are some drawbacks. It is likely that over time you will pay at least double what the furnace is worth. And, because you do not own the heating system, it does not add to the value of your home.

If you can afford to buy a new furnace this is the best option. By buying the furnace outright, you won’t pay any interest and may also be able to benefit from manufacturer or government rebates. Owning the furnace will also add to the value of your home.

It can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500 to repair a furnace, depending on the issue. If you’re in the Edmonton area, the average cost to repair a furnace will be around $700.

Make sure the furnace company you choose to do your repairs is upfront with their pricing. They should be able to provide you with the price ahead of time so that you know exactly what to expect before moving ahead!

Want to save some money? Often professional heating and plumbing companies will offer a Service Partner Plan – we call ours the ProComfort Plan. This type of plan will help you keep on top of the regular maintenance your furnace needs for a fraction of the price. Regular furnace tune-ups and maintenance will help prevent any major issues, saving you from repairs and replacements that could cost you thousands of dollars! With plans like this, there is often a discount for members, meaning you’ll save money with every visit.

Yes! If you’re a ProComfort Dual or ProHeating Member, you can upgrade your plan with our Air Filter Delivery Add-On—designed to make clean air easy and automatic.

Here’s how it works:

• You choose your filter size (we offer a variety to match your system)

• We deliver a full case of filters right to your door

• You set the delivery schedule based on your home’s needs—every few months, seasonally, or just once a year

Whether you’re dealing with allergies, pets, or just want to keep your system running efficiently, this add-on takes the guesswork out of remembering when to replace your filter. It’s one less thing on your list—and one more way we keep your home comfortable, year-round.

The size of the furnace you’ll need largely depends on the size of your home. Size recommendations based on square footage are:

1,200 square foot home: 36,000 to 72,000 BTUs
1,500 square foot home: 45,000 to 90,000 BTUs
1,800 square foot home: 54,000 to 108,000 BTUs
2,100 square foot home: 63,000 to 126,000 BTUs
2,400 square foot home: 72,000 to 144,000 BTUs

Other factors that affect the size of the new furnace installation you’ll need include:

• Climate zone (for example, Edmonton is in Climate Zone 5)
• Quality of insulation
• Window thickness
• Ceiling height
• Number of people living in your home
• Preferred temperature
• Size and state of the basement

For more info om furnace shopping, read our full article on “how to choose the right furnace“.

Shopping for a new furnace and wondering what are BTUs? BTU stands for British Thermal Unit – a value traditionally assigned to heat. Technically, a single BTU is the amount of energy that is necessary to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at sea level. As far as a heating system goes, BTUs refer to the amount of heat that a furnace is able to output.

When it comes to furnaces, the larger the square footage that needs to be heated, the more BTUs you’ll require. For example, it’s suggested that a 1,500 square foot home has a furnace that is able to output 45,000 to 90,000 BTUs.

A residential boiler system is used to heat a household. The boiler heats water inside a tank and distributes this hot water (or, in some cases, steam) via pipes, radiators and/or a radiant in-floor system in order to heat the inside of a home. Once the water has cooled and can no longer provide heat, it is sent back to the boiler to be reheated.

Although the name might suggest otherwise, modern-day boilers do not boil water. The term boiler comes from the fact that, in the past, steam boilers were common. Steam boilers boil water in order to create steam for heating purposes. Today, however, most boilers are water heating systems that distribute hot water, rather than steam, in order to heat a house.