Ontario winters aren’t known for being gentle, so you need a furnace that can keep up. And in order for that to happen, you might need to upgrade y...
Ontario winters aren’t known for being gentle, so you need a furnace that can keep up. And in order for that to happen, you might need to upgrade your furnace before winter hits to ensure performance, longevity and efficiency. You’ll also want to know the costs and steps involved to do so.
In today’s blog we’ll do just that. We’ve been installing furnaces in the Hanover, Waterloo and Listowel areas for years, and our technicians have a wealth of information you can use to give you total confidence when it comes time to upgrade your system.
Let’s dive in to learn how modern, forced-air furnaces work, and what to expect when buying a new one.
How Does a Forced Air Furnace Work?
The basic principle behind forced air furnaces is pretty simple: air is warmed up and blown through a series of ducts in your home, warming the interior and helping your family feel more comfortable.
Maybe that’s a bit too simplified. The real process involves several complex and sensitive parts to help your furnace work safely and efficiently. Here’s a breakdown of these components work together:
- Your thermostat senses the ambient temperature in the house and alerts the furnace to turn on when it drops below your specified temperature.
- The furnace’s heat source will then activate. Depending on the type of furnace you have installed in your home this could be a gas burner or an electric heating element.
- Your furnace uses a blower to pull your home’s cool air to the heat exchanger where it circulates while it heats up.
- The newly heated air then moves through the ducts in your home, warming up every room and increasing your comfort.
Do You Need A New Furnace?
Here are the most common signs that point to furnace replacement:
Strange noises or smells
Banging sounds or burning smells are not normal and shouldn’t be considered as part of normal operation. They point to issues within your heating system that need prompt repair or replacement to ensure performance and safety.
Inconsistent heat or no heat at all
If your furnace is struggling to maintain your desired temperature, is blowing cold air or if you’re noticing cold spots throughout your home, it could be a sign that your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan, or was not sized correctly for your home. Call us today for your detailed, in-home evaluation today!
Constant, recurring repairs
If you're consistently calling us for repairs, it may be time for a full replacement. The general rule of thumb is if the repair cost is more than half the price of a new furnace, replacement is the best way to go not only for your wallet’s sake, but also for overall comfort and performance.
What Should Ontario Homeowners Consider When Investing in a New Furnace?
Fuel Type
There are three main types of furnaces on the market today: oil, natural gas and electric. Oil furnaces generate heat quickly, but aren’t nearly as efficient as natural gas furnaces. Electric furnaces don’t need to vent exhaust which makes them a safe and efficient choice, however we’ve found the upfront cost and higher maintenance tickets often dissuade most homeowners.
That leaves the most popular furnace type, and the one that our team specializes in: Natural Gas.
Natural gas furnaces have come a long way in terms of efficiency and performance. They generate heat quickly and keep you warmer for longer and for less money. Regular maintenance is pretty standard, and repairs are typically done quickly due to the accessibility of parts.
The Size of Your Home
It’s important to remember that your furnace needs to be powerful enough to heat your entire living space. So larger homes will need a larger furnace capable of generating and maintaining enough heat. Generally, your furnace should produce 30-60 BTUs per square foot of space.
Form Factor
It’s not just the square footage of your home that matters, it’s also the volume of the space you need to heat. Rooms with higher ceilings or rooms with untraditional layouts may require a bigger furnace to heat them adequately. That’s why we always recommend professional installation from Cross Heating & Air Conditioning, our technicians have seen it all and know what it takes to get you an appropriately sized equipment option installed.
Our furnace installation team also always takes into account your home’s insulation and the number of windows and doors when sizing your new furnace.
Duct System
Replacing your furnace may also require changes to your home’s existing ductwork. This is usually only necessary if you want to add additional heating zones to your home. Adding additional zones allows for individualized heating control, rather than a central hub distributing heat evenly throughout your home.
Efficiency Ratings
All furnaces in today’s market have an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient your furnace is.
More efficient furnaces tend to come with a higher upfront cost, but the long-term savings on your energy bills more than make up for it.
Installation Location
Furnace installation can be more complex than you think. There needs to be appropriate air circulation, power/fuel availability, existing ductwork and of course enough space to access the unit for any repairs. Because of this, the importance of professional installation cannot be overstated. So give our expert team a call today!
How Much Does A New Furnace Cost?
The cost for a new furnace usually starts at about $5000 and goes up from there based on the brand, size and type of furnace chosen, and associated installation costs.
When you call Cross, our thorough evaluation and recommendation process helps get you the perfect unit for your needs and budget.
Professional Maintenance From Cross Heating & Air Conditioning - for everything else
Once a year, schedule a furnace tune-up with Cross Heating & Air Conditioning to make sure your furnace is running safely and efficiently. Our team of experts will inspect and maintain the sensitive components of your furnace including:
- Checking the pilot light and cleaning the ignition
- Cleaning the blades of your blower motor
- Checking the drive belt and other components
- Lubricating and cleaning any moving parts
- Sealing leaks in vents or ducts
We also conduct both a reliability check and an efficiency check.
Reliability checks include:
- Gas piping leaks
- Inconsistent or rising temperatures
- Vent cleanliness and quality
- Age and general wear
Efficiency checks include:
- Strange noises or air impurities
- Static and kinetic gas pressure
- Vent pressure
- Proper drainage and condensate leaks
- Safety and high limit flame sense
After the tune-up is completed, we’ll check in to ensure you’re delighted with the service and your system is running perfectly.
We even offer ongoing maintenance to catch small issues before they become big problems. When you sign up for the Cross Advantage Program, you’ll enjoy:
- 1-year repair warranty
- Annual HVAC Dollars
- 10% discount on future repairs
- 20% discount on air filters
- Reduced service rates
- Product warranty protection.
Give us a call today to learn more or to sign up!
Repair Cost Considerations
Small repairs, small cost. Big repairs, bigger cost. So don’t ignore issues and hope they go away! Call Cross right away at the first sign of an issue to help keep repair costs from ballooning out of control.
And with our exclusive No Regret Repair guarantee, you’ll never have to worry about the cost of repairs if you purchase a new furnace within 14 days of your repair. We will deduct the full or partial cost of the repair from your purchase total.
We hope that you’ve found this blog helpful if you’re considering upgrading your furnace this year. When you’re ready to buy, contact the expert team at Cross Heating & Air Conditioning. Our experienced professionals are standing by to find you the perfect furnace for your home’s unique needs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Replacement & Upgrading
How much does running my furnace cost?
Most heating bills can get up to $150-$300 during heating season. But energy efficient equipment, and regular maintenance can ensure costs stay low, long-term.
How long does a new furnace last?
Most furnaces last for about 15 to 20 years, but that’s assuming you take good care of your system and schedule regular professional maintenance for it. For best results, follow the DIY maintenance tips above and call us to give your furnace a check-up and tune-up at least once a year (usually in autumn, before the cooling season gets fully underway).
How long will it take to replace my furnace?
Every installation is different, but no matter the timeframe our installation technicians are dedicated to the fastest service possible, without sacrificing quality. After the installation, we will also check in with you, post-installation to ensure every component is working together properly and that you are 100% satisfied.
Why Choose Cross
- Honest pricing
- We value your time
- All-star service from start to finish
- Lifetime workmanship
- 100% Satisfaction, and more!
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