Are you ready for winter? In Canada, we know the importance of making sure your home is ready for the extreme wind, snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures our winters can bring.
Staying comfortable during the cold months starts with having the right heating solution for your home that runs smoothly and efficiently all season long. Whether you are considering upgrading your heating equipment, need a repair, or are looking for ways to help save on energy this winter, this guide will help to answer your questions and provide you with the information needed to make smart and informed decisions about your heating equipment.
The process of finding the right heating equipment for your home can often feel like an overwhelming task. There are a variety of options to consider and, depending on the needs of your home, there are different features available to customize your equipment for optimal comfort.
To help you navigate through this complex buying or renting decision, below are some details about the various options and answers to common questions about home heating.
To tailor a solution to your home, we recommend having a trained professional assess your needs and recommend what is best for you and your home. Learn more about booking an expert in-home consultation here.
There are three main types of furnaces: single-stage, 2-stage, and modulating furnaces. All three types of furnaces are great options for heating your home. Finding the right one for you comes down to your home, budget, and desired level of efficiency.
Single stage furnaces are the most basic and commonly installed type of furnaces. This type of furnace only has one d setting. When on, your furnace operates at the maximum flame setting—there is no middle ground between the system being on or off.
This type of furnace often comes at a lower up-front cost but is not the most efficient option.
Two-stage furnaces have two different settings when your furnace is on, a high setting as well medium intensity setting to deliver a wider range of operation. This type of furnace can help to give you more temperature control in your home.
The furnaces are more expensive than the single-stage options but are generally more energy-efficient as there are different levels of heating available.
Modulating furnaces offer an advanced type of heating technology that delivers more even heating throughout your home. With a modulating furnace, the flame increases and decreases in finer increments to help maintain your home’s temperature. This reduces temperature fluctuations and helps meet your comfort needs more precisely.
Modulating furnaces are the most expensive to purchase upfront but will deliver consistent heating most efficiently.
ENERGY TIP
New furnaces have a variety of advanced features to help reach optimal comfort and ensure maximum efficiency. Here are a few of the new technologies found in today’s furnaces:
In a condensing furnace, the exhaust is moved through an additional (secondary) heat exchanger. More heat is extracted from the exhaust gasses and transferred safely through the home. This additional heat recovery allows for increased fuel efficiency.
An Electronically Commuted Motor (ECM) is a motor technology in forced air heating applications that works to reduce the electrical consumption of the furnace motor. This technology can reduce your furnace’s electrical consumption by as much as 60% over a standard motor. These motors work with the furnace, adjusting speed to provide adequate air flow. Less electrical consumption results in a reduction of air noise in your home.
Modern furnaces come with electronic ignition, which is a technological advancement replacing the pilot light system. With electronic ignition, fuel is only used when it is time to start the furnace. In older technology, a pilot light would use a small amount of fuel continuously, resulting in additional energy consumption.
New furnaces have a digital integrated control board that controls all the functions related to the heating/cooling operations in your home. It controls the gas valve, the igniter, the flame sensing circuit, and the blower fan. The control board also communicates with standard thermostats, smart learning thermostats, air conditioners and humidifiers
ENERGY TIP
Before you purchase a new furnace, consider which fuels are available in your area. You should review advantages and disadvantages of your available energy sources.
Gas furnaces are some of the most commonly installed heating appliances in Canada. This type of furnace is a top choice for many homeowners because it provides a safe, reliable and comfortable solution to heating homes. In recent years gas furnaces have also become more efficient and advanced, using sophisticated technologies to connect with other home appliances like smart learning thermostats.
In Canada, most new gas furnaces have efficiency ratings from 92-98% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which let you feel confident that your new heating solution will not blow your monthly budget. The AFUE is a standard rating specified by the furnace manufacturer.
Inexpensive
Depending on the area you live in, gas is typically more cost effective than oil or propane.
Affordable Installation
Gas furnaces installations are usually very straightforward; a professional (and licensed) team should be able to install your unit at an affordable rate.
Wide Selection
There are many models of gas furnaces available, making it easy to find the right solution for your home and budget.
Smart home compatible
Modern units can be integrated with smart learning thermostats allowing you to control your home’s temperature from anywhere.
Availability
In rural areas, gas may not be available and there may be a more readily available or affordable fuel
Ductwork
Gas furnaces require ducts to circulate heat throughout your home
Maintenance
Gas furnaces need to be inspected regularly so it is important to schedule annual maintenance
Size
Gas furnaces are generally larger than a ductless split unit and will take up more space
Propane furnaces are a common choice for homeowners in rural areas or areas where other fuels are scarce, expensive or unavailable. To operate a propane furnace, a propane tank will be installed outside of your home and connected to your furnace. As the propane is used to fuel your furnace, the tank will need to be refilled by a local service company.
Availability
Propane is readily available across the country, including remote areas
High Efficiency
Propane furnaces must meet a minimum efficiency standard of 92% but most new propane furnaces have AFUE ratings of 92% to 98.5% efficiency
Cost
It is often more expensive to operate than a gas model but is usually a more cost effective solution than an electric option
Refuelling and storage
Propane tanks can only be filled by a licensed, trained and certified professional
Propane must be kept in government approved outdoor storage containers
Ductwork
Propane furnaces require ductwork to circulate heat throughout your home
Maintenance
Propane furnaces need to be inspected regularly by a trusted professional
Availability
Oil furnaces are often a good choice when other fueling options are scarce or unavailable
Most regions of Canada have access to oil
Smart home compatible
Temperature can be controlled remotely when you pair with a smart thermostat
Price
Oil furnaces are usually more expensive to operate than gas or propane furnaces
Storage
A tank needs to be installed outside of your home to hold the fuel
Efficiency
Oil furnaces tend to operate less efficiently than most modern gas and propane options
Ductwork
Ductwork is required to circulate heat throughout your home
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is required to keep the system operating efficiently
Electric furnaces heat air that moves through ductwork by a fan, but instead of gas, propane or oil fueled burners, these types of furnaces produce heat using electric heater elements controlled by circuit breakers.
The cost of operating an electric furnace is relatively high in most regions, limiting the popularity of the equipment.
Benefits of an electric furnace:
Things to consider when buying an electric furnace:
Depending on your home, budget and desired level of efficiency, a furnace may not always be the right option for heating your home. There are many great alternative options available.
An air source heat pump split is a compact, modern, refrigerant-based heating and cooling system. It consists of an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units, sometimes called heads. Splits were first popularized in Asia and Europe and are now becoming more common in North America.
The outdoor unit looks like a slim version of a conventional air conditioning unit. The indoor units are mounted in the ceiling, on the wall, or near the floor like baseboard heaters.
Benefits of an air source heat pump split:
Considerations of an air source heat pump split:
Central air source heat pumps are similar to splits, but rely on ductwork to circulate both heating and cooling air in the home. The outdoor unit is called a condenser and the indoor unit is called an evaporator coil. It is an efficient, clean energy option that operates a lot like a traditional furnace.
Benefits of a Central air-source heat pump:
Considerations of a central air-source heat pump:
A boiler, or a hydronic heating system, provides heating by using a fuel source to heat a fluid (such as water or glycol) that is pumped through your hydronic heating system to various devices such as radiators or in-floor heating loops. Boiler heat does not require ductwork and is often be found in older homes.
Combi-units
A combi-unit is a heating source that can also provide hot water through your home.
Benefits of a Boiler:
Considerations of a Boiler:
Geothermal systems are top of the line heating and cooling equipment. These systems are also often referred to as ground source heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps change the temperature in your home by transferring heat between the home and the ground.
How it works
Geothermal takes advantage of a fundamental of basic physics: during cool seasons the temperature underground is warmer that the temperature of the outside air; and during warmer months it is cooler than the outside air. Ground source temperature differentials are smaller than the air sourced differentials, allowing the heat pump to remain in a more efficient range. Geothermal systems move heat using liquid rather than air.
Benefits of a geothermal heat pump:
Considerations of a geothermal heat pump:
Beyond selecting the right furnace type for you and your family, there are several other things to consider to ensure your unit is the right choice for your home and budget. Here is some information about furnace financing options, installation and accessories.
One of the most important decisions when upgrading your heating equipment is choosing whether to rent or buy your system. Before making the decision, you will want to determine the equipment you are having installed, the total cost of ownership and the cost and effort of maintenance.
Renting and buying are both viable options, and making the right decision really comes down to your needs, time and budget. To help you evaluate the two options, here are a few things to consider
Your furnace plays an essential role in keeping your home warm as well as running your air conditioner in the summer. When it comes time to replace your furnace, consider upgrading your AC at the same time to help ensure you are getting the most out of your investment.
Energy Efficiency
Anytime you upgrade outdated equipment you could be investing in a more efficient system. Replacing both your furnace and air conditioner at the same time will help you maximize your energy savings.
Equipment performance
Since your furnace and air conditioner work together, replacing just one piece could prevent the newer piece of equipment from reaching its potential performance.
Potential savings
Furnace and air conditioners are often sold together, so if you decide to upgrade both there may be deals or discounts available. Having both pieces of equipment installed at the same time may also result in cheaper labour and installation costs.
The key to having a great heating system starts with a good installation. Here are a few of the frequently asked questions about having your furnace installed.
Even if you are a handy person, installing something as complex as a new home heating or cooling system is not a good idea. A professional technician brings experience and updated knowledge of code requirements, modern electronics and new technologies. Unless you are a certified HVAC technician, a self-installed furnace could lead to a poorly operating, unsafe system.
What makes a good furnace installer?
How long does a furnace installation take?
Depending on the system that you are having installed, a furnace installation can take anywhere from a half-day to a full day to be properly installed. This includes the installation, testing and clean up.
What should I expect during the installation?
Most furnace installations will be done by two professionally trained technicians. A good installation team will come on time and prepared with all the parts necessary to get the job done. The technicians should also be wearing booties over their shoes to protect your home, rolling out additional carpet and floor protection where needed.
The furnace installation itself can take a few hours and once it has been installed, the team will fire it up and conduct tests to make sure it is working properly and in sync with your other systems. Then they clean up completely, removing the old furnace, all parts and packaging.
How should I prepare for a furnace inspection?
Before the installation, you should ensure the furnace room and any other work areas are clean, clutter-free and well lit. For everyone’s safety, keep children and pets away from the work area.