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.
Yes—you definitely should! Even though your furnace isn’t heating your home during the summer, your HVAC system still uses the same ductwork and blower when you run your central air conditioner. That means your furnace filter is still working hard to trap dust, pollen, pet hair, and smoke particles—especially during Edmonton’s dry, dusty summers or wildfire season.
In fact, summer can be one of the most important times to stay on top of filter changes if:
You use central AC
You have allergies
You experience poor outdoor air quality (like wildfire smoke)
You have pets that shed
Not sure when to change it? Our Air Filter Delivery Add-On (available with ProComfort or ProHeating Memberships) makes it easy. We deliver the right filter size on your preferred schedule—so your home stays cool and your air stays clean, no matter the season.
Heat pumps do not work in Alberta.
While heat pumps are designed to heat efficiently and cool homes by drawing heat from the outside air during cold months and expelling hot air from inside during warmer months, their effectiveness varies based on the climate.
In milder climates, heat pumps can be an excellent alternative to traditional furnaces and air conditioners. Some homeowners even prefer them for their dual functionality. However, in colder regions like Alberta, especially places like Edmonton, the efficiency of heat pumps diminishes.
The reason? As temperatures drop, heat pumps struggle to extract enough warmth from the frigid air to heat a home adequately. In contrast, traditional furnaces are specifically designed to provide consistent and reliable heat, even in the harshest of winters. For Alberta homeowners, where winters can be particularly brutal, relying solely on a heat pump can be a gamble.
Therefore, while heat pumps might be a viable option in some parts of the world, in Alberta, a traditional furnace remains the trusted and recommended choice for ensuring warmth and comfort throughout the year. There are also other and more reliable heating and cooling solutions available to Alberta homeowners.
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.
The best way to reduce your energy bill at home is to ensure all of your household appliances are in top working condition. This includes your furnace, hot water heater and air conditioning system. These types of appliances use a lot of energy. Therefore, if they aren’t running as efficiently as possible it can result in a high energy bill.
The best way to guarantee that these appliances are running efficiently is to conduct regular maintenance. If you live in Edmonton or the surrounding area, your plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems should be professionally serviced once per year. Regular maintenance and servicing will ensure these appliances are working effectively and efficiently and can help to reduce your energy bill by up to 30%.
If you have old appliances, you might also consider upgrading them to more energy-efficient models. Installing a new furnace, hot water heater or AC unit can help to drastically reduce your energy bill.
There are several heating systems to choose from, including:
The average cost to install a furnace in Edmonton is between $5,500 and $10,000+. The cost depends on various factors, including brand, size, company, etc. However, with the average cost of a new furnace being around $3,000 – $6,000, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 in total, including installation.
Check out our Current Offers to see how you can save with deals and rebates.
In Alberta, a heat-loss calculation must be done when installing a new furnace. When hiring a professional to do your install, this will be factored into the price.
Hiring a professional heating company to install your furnace is essential. It may cost more initially but will save you money, time, and headache in the long run.
Furnace on the fritz? Here are a few things to check if your furnace isn’t working:
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.
A gas furnace is the most efficient way to heat your home and by far the most popular in Alberta. Gas furnaces are reliable, cost-effective, and efficient and manufacturers are continually improving their efficiency and quietness and introducing new features.
Amana is one of the best brands of furnaces, especially for homes in Alberta. Amana is one of the few furnace brands with a stainless steel heat exchanger and the only with a lifetime replacement warranty. This makes an Amana furnace a reliable option for any household.
We also think that Trane Furnaces are an exceptional option in Alberta. They have been very reliable over the past few years and look to continue that manufacturing trend.
If you’re wondering what is the best brand of furnace for your home, talk to a local heating services provider. Their expertise can help you make the best choice for your climate.
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:
For more info om furnace shopping, read our full article on “how to choose the right furnace“.
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:
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.
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.
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