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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.

Heat pumps do not work in Alberta alone.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

In the Edmonton area, you should typically change your furnace filter every 1 to 3 months—but it depends on your home and lifestyle:

• Every 1 month if you have multiple pets, allergies, or live in a dusty area

• Every 2 months for average homes with one pet or light allergies

• Every 3 months in smaller homes with no pets and minimal dust

• More often during heavy-use seasons, like winter (heating) and summer (if you use central AC)

Filter size and quality also play a role—smaller or lower-MERV filters usually need changing more frequently.

If you’re tired of remembering when to replace them, our ProComfort Dual and ProHeating Memberships offer an Air Filter Delivery Add-On. We’ll deliver the right filters to your door on schedule—so your home stays clean, your air stays fresh, and your HVAC system runs at its best without any guesswork.