Have questions on general Heating questions? Find answers to some of the most common questions on heating in our FAQ section.
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.
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.
Unless you’re a trained professional, it’s not a good idea to attempt to install your own furnace. Yes, you’ll save money now but the issues and damage that can occur from an improperly installed furnace can result in costs far beyond what you would have spent to hire professionals to do your install.
Hiring a professional heating services provider in your area to install, maintain, and repair your furnace is always the best way to go. This will save you time and money in the long run. In addition to properly installing and calibrating your new furnace system, technicians are trained to help you find the perfect size furnace for your home. This will ensure that your furnace is not too big or too small. This, as well as the additional services provided by professional technicians during installation, including the calibration of your thermostat, will result in a highly-efficient furnace that will save you money in energy costs.
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:
A checklist that includes no less than 22 points of inspection should be used during your furnace service.
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.
If you live in Edmonton or other northern areas your furnace should be professionally serviced once per year. This will prevent you from having to get expensive furnace repairs or replacements and will extend the life of your furnace. In fact, regularly scheduled inspections and service on your heating system can help identify potential breakdowns and reduce emergency repairs by as much as 95%! Regular service can also lower utility bills by up to 30%.
Harsh winters in Edmonton, and other Albertan cities, can take a toll on heating systems. A company that provides furnace service and maintenance will ensure that everything is in top working condition so that you can rely on your furnace all through the winter without having to worry about issues or failures.
Here’s how much furnace tune-ups & servicing costs in Edmonton.
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.
There are several heating systems to choose from, including:
A modern, high-efficiency furnace should last approximately ten to fifteen years. This is based on the average lifespan of a furnace so it is possible that yours may last longer or need to be replaced sooner.
The key to a long-lasting furnace is regular maintenance and upkeep. It’s important to stay on top of minor furnace repairs, tune-ups, and maintenance. Scheduling regular maintenance with a professionals heating company will help to maximize the life of your furnace and minimize the need for major repairs. This is especially true in Alberta, where cold winters can take a toll on your furnace.
A local furnace company will know how to care for your furnace in this climate and what to look for if it is having issues.
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.
Yes, there are energy-efficient and eco-friendly furnace options available. Look for ENERGY STAR-certified furnaces that meet strict efficiency and environmental standards. High-efficiency furnaces, often with AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings of 90% or higher, are also environmentally friendly. They consume less fuel and produce fewer emissions, contributing to reduced carbon footprint and lower energy bills.
Heat pumps, which use electricity to transfer heat rather than burning fuel, are another eco-friendly option. Additionally, consider furnaces with features like variable-speed blowers, which improve efficiency and comfort. Your HVAC professional can help you choose the best option based on your environmental concerns and budget.
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.
