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FAQ Category: Boiler

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.

The most energy-efficient furnace is one that is ENERGY STAR certified and has an efficiency rating of 97% or higher. When you see an ENERGY STAR symbol on your appliance, you can be certain that it has been certified as energy efficient. 

When it comes to the type of furnace, gas furnaces are typically the most energy-efficient. Although preferred in some situations, electric and oil furnaces are less efficient. Therefore, gas-powered furnaces are recommended.

The heating professionals at ProSolutions PHAC recommend the following high-efficiency furnaces:

  • TRANE S9V2-VS Gas Furnace
  • AirEase A97MV High-Efficiency Modulating Gas Furnace
  • Goodman GMVM97 Modulating, Variable-Speed Gas Furnace

The cost of servicing your furnace can cost between $150 – $500 per visit, depending on what is being done and the type of furnace you have in your home.

On average, heating and plumbing companies charge a rate of $150 – $300 per hour. However, if you have a membership to a Service Partner Plan, or another annual plan, you can reduce your cost. 

By signing up for a plan with a local furnace company in Edmonton like ProSolutions Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, and scheduling regular servicing, you can save money on the services provided and in energy costs. 

As well as the cost savings, regular servicing will help to prevent your system from encountering any unexpected problems – especially important during the long winter months.

Check our Furnace Offers & Coupons section for deals on Furnace Tune-ups & Servicing. We always offer competitive pricing too.

It shouldn’t take a professional heating company in Edmonton too long to install a new boiler. For a simple boiler replacement, you can expect a trained professional to take between 4 and 6 hours.

Your new boiler will be up and running in less than a day. However, installing a brand new boiler, where one didn’t exist before, is a bigger job. Upgrading your current boiler to a different system or moving your boiler to a new location can also be more involved and will take a bit longer.

Because these jobs are more complex, they may take a team of professionals a few days to complete. Typically, you can expect to wait no more than a week for your new system to be up and ready!

Can’t decide if a furnace service plan is worth it? Beyond saving you time, money, and the headache of an unexpected furnace breakdown in the dead of winter, here are some of the benefits of a service plan:

  • Identification of potential breakdowns before they occur
  • Piece of mind and the ensured safety and comfort for you and your family
  • Lower utility bills as a result of regular maintenance
  • No premium fees for emergency service
  • Automatically scheduled service – so you don’t have to worry about calling to book an appointment!
  • Priority service
  • Discounts on furnace services provided
  • Professional services from trusted experts
  • Satisfaction guarantee

Furnace on the fritz? Here are a few things to check if your furnace isn’t working:

  • Power switch – is the power on? If so, try turning the furnace off and then on again.
  • Furnace filter – check to see if the filter is clogged. If it is, exchange it for a new one. You should be changing your furnace filter ever 3 months.
  • Batteries in the thermostat – check the batteries in your thermostat and replace them if they’re low.
  • Flame sensor – turn off the power to your furnace (this is an important first step) then remove the sensor and clean it.
  • Pilot light – check to make sure the pilot light is on. If it’s out, relight it using your furnace model’s igniting instructions.
  • Air intake and exhaust pipes – check the exhaust flue for blockages and clear any blockage you find. For example, during the winter in Alberta, you might find icicles covering the screen of the flue. Remove these to solve the problem.

If one of these is not the issue, you may need a professional to help you uncover and solve the problem. Don’t wait until it’s too late – a broken furnace, especially during an Edmonton winter, can result in broken and burst water pipes! Find a local furnace repair contractor to fix the problem as soon as possible.

Furnace filters should be changed every three months. Regularly changing your filter will ensure the air quality inside your home, as well as the safety and comfort of you and your family. In addition, regularly changing the filter will ensure your furnace doesn’t overheat, resulting in damage or an unexpected breakdown.

Preventative maintenance like this extends the longevity of your furnace and helps reduce maintenance and repair fees.

Not sure how long ago your filter was changed or if it needs to be replaced? A heating services provider can take a look at your filter and let you know if it should be replaced with a new one.

A professional technician will have an extensive checklist to go through when providing furnace tune-up service and maintenance. The items on this list cover every part of your furnace in order to ensure that it is in top working condition.

Some of the most important items included in this furnace service checklist are:

  • Vent, blower, and ductwork cleaning
  • Inspection of the flue for damage and dents
  • Examination of all belts and their tension
  • Adjustment of the furnace’s pilot light flame
  • Calibration of the thermostat
  • Visual inspection of all electrical wiring
  • Inspection of the furnace filter
  • Cleaning and removing any debris

A checklist that includes no less than 22 points of inspection should be used during your furnace service.

If there is a crack in the heat exchanger of your heating system, your furnace could be leaking carbon monoxide (CO). This can be dangerous for you and your family, as CO can cause serious bodily harm and even result in death. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless gas and therefore is not easily detected, especially in small quantities.

Your furnace may be leaking carbon monoxide if you or other members of your household are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling hungover
  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion
  • Blurred vision
  • Loss of consciousness

If you think your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide contact a local heating company right away. If you think you are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, please seek professional medical advice immediately.

You should consider replacing your furnace if it’s over 15-20 years old, requires frequent and costly repairs, produces uneven heating, or if your energy bills have been steadily increasing.

It’s also a good idea to upgrade to a more efficient model to save on long-term energy costs.

There are several heating systems to choose from, including:

  • Gas Furnaces: These are efficient and widely used for their affordability and heating capabilities.
  • Electric Furnaces: These are suitable for areas with milder winters but tend to be less energy-efficient.
  • Heat Pumps: They can both heat and cool your home, providing year-round comfort.
  • Hybrid Systems: Combining a heat pump and a gas furnace for maximum efficiency in different weather conditions.
  • Ductless Mini-Splits: Ideal for heating individual rooms or spaces without a central duct system.

The key to knowing when to replace your furnace versus when to repair it depends on its age and how many more years you can expect it to last. But, rather than humming and hawing about these questions, there is a simple equation you can use to help you decide.

This equation compares the cost of repairing the unit to the cost of replacing it. Here’s the calculation you can use to decide when you should replace your furnace:

Cost of Repair” x “Age of Unit (in years)” > “Cost to Replace Furnace” = Replace Furnace

Multiply the cost of the furnace repair by the age of the unit. If this number is less than the cost of replacing your gas furnace, then opt for the repairs. If this number is larger, it will be cheaper to replace the furnace.

If you’re living in Alberta, in the St. Albert/Edmonton area, and you’re still unsure, talk to a local heating company. With their expert knowledge about your particular climate, they will be able to help you make a decision as to whether you should repair or replace your furnace.

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