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When to Turn Off Your Furnace in Ontario?

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Thermostat for home furnace

Living in Canada, you know all about cold winters, hot summers, and everything in between. You might wonder when to turn off your furnace in Ontario, since warm spring days may give way to very cool evenings. One day it could be much too hot to run the heat, while the next day could leave you shivering if you’ve already turned it off. Knowing when to turn off the heat in Ontario is often a matter of experience, but there are some standard things you should consider. 

  • The type of heat you have.
  • Why does your furnace keep running in the summer?
  • Furnaces burn fuel even when the temperature is set low.
  • There are risks and benefits to turning off your furnace.
  • What season is the right time for a shut-off?
  • Is your furnace OK to turn off?

Some modern furnaces don’t need to be turned off, while others will be costly to leave on when you aren’t using the heat. Let’s answer some of the questions you might have about when to turn on the heat in your house, and when to turn it off completely. 

What’s Your Heat Type?

Heating systems fall into one of two categories, regardless of fuel type:

  • Forced air
  • Water-based

Forced air systems use ductwork to deliver air that has been heated or cooled throughout your home. Because it uses the same distribution system as an air conditioning system, forced air is one of the more widely used options, particularly in newer homes.

Older homes may have radiant heat, which is water-based. Baseboard heaters, radiators and radiant floor heating all rely on a boiler system to heat water that then heats your home. 

Both systems can be electric, gas, propane, or oil-burning, but natural gas is the more available and cost-effective option. However, with any furnace or boiler that burns fuel, there’s a pilot light used to ignite the fuel. You’ll often need help from a professional to light the pilot on your furnace, so you’ll want to wait until any chance you’ll need the heating system has passed for the year before you think about turning it off. 

Male arm and hand replacing disposable air filter in residential air furnace

Why Your Furnace Keeps Running in the Summer

You may have noticed that your natural gas usage keeps going, even into the summer month. Why? If all the rest of your appliances are electric, why would you still be using gas? 

The answer is that your furnace burns a minimal amount of gas even when it’s not actively heating your home. Plus, if the outside temperature drops below your thermostat setting, the heat might kick on accidentally. 

If you don’t like to run the air conditioning in the summer unless it’s very hot and a cool evening occurs, it can turn the heat back on. No matter how low you set your temperature on the thermostat, you might still have the occasional evening where it burns more fuel. 

What About Fuel Use When It’s Warm Outside?

Older furnaces, those manufactured 15 or more years ago, have an always-on pilot light. That pilot light constantly burns fuel to stay on. When furnaces first started using a pilot light to allow automatic ignition and thermostat-controlled temperature changes, it was a huge leap forward for indoor comfort. Today, that same leap also leads to lagging energy efficiency.

Not only does the pilot light constantly burn natural gas, but it also affects the AFUE rating of the furnace heating your home. An AFUE rating is a way of quantifying the amount of gas used that actually turns into heat. If a furnace were 100% efficient, it would transform every iota of gas into heat for your home.

No system is quite that efficient, but older systems often rate as low as 56%, while newer systems with instant, electronic ignitions can reach ratings as high as 98.5%. Upgrading to a newer furnace means you’ll have a pilot light that only burns when the furnace is running. But, if you have an older unit, you’ll want to find ways to maximize the energy efficiency of the unit you already have. Turning off your furnace is a great way to avoid paying for an always-on pilot light. 

The Pros and Cons of Turning Off Your Furnace

We’ve looked at some of the benefits of turning off your furnace already, but there are many, such as:

  • Lower energy bills
  • Reduced wear and tear on your furnace
  • Less risk of excessive levels of CO2

However, turning off your furnace is not without its own set of risks. If you turn off your furnace and don’t get the right maintenance, it could lead to:

  • Rusting
  • Corrosion
  • Buildup of dirt and debris

Your furnace is likely in your basement, which can get damp in the summer, causing your furnace to rust. Any soot that sits on the surface of the combustion chamber or any other surface can cause corrosion. Anything that gathers in the pipes or intake could lead to problems the next time you try to run the furnace. All of these problems can shorten the usable life of your furnace, but you can avoid them by scheduling routine seasonal maintenance for your HVAC systems. 

Can You Shut Off the Furnace in Winter?

The short answer is that it’s a bad idea. A home without heat during the winter is one that is vulnerable to problems like frozen pipes which can quickly lead to burst pipes and the resulting flooding. Plus, if you’re turning off the heat to save a buck or two on a few unexpected warmer days, expect to pay even more to warm your home back up when the temperatures drop. 

Winter is when to turn on the heat in Ontario if you haven’t already. Fluctuating temperatures that still drop below freezing outside mean that you should let your thermostat handle the work of regulating your heating system. 

If you turned your furnace entirely off during the summer, you may want to know when the heat should be turned on in Ontario, and the answer is fairly early in the fall. The temperature can fall pretty suddenly and without a lot of warning, so it’s important to have access to heat, before you need it. 

Is It OK to Turn Off My Furnace in the Summer?

Yes, you can turn your furnace off in the summer. While not every furnace has a pilot light that burns energy, those that do can be costly to keep running when you aren’t using the heat. So of course you can turn the furnace off. 

But, you should only turn off your furnace once you’re passed any time when you want to turn on the heat in Ontario. If evenings are still pretty cold, it’s likely better to wait until a bit later in the season. 

If your furnace is connected to other major home systems such as the air conditioning or hot water, you might have to leave it on year-round. With some HVAC systems, the blower on the furnace also blows cold air when the AC is running, while boiler systems may heat all the water in your home, not just the water in your radiators. 

How Do You Turn Off a Furnace?

Once you know that it’s safe and beneficial to turn off your furnace, you need to know how. Given the seasonal temperatures in Ontario, we generally recommend waiting until the end of May, and then, you can follow these simple steps:

  1. Locate your pilot light controls and turn the knob to the “off” setting.  
  2. Shut off the gas to the furnace, but leave the main gas line running to power other appliances. Your furnace should have its own supply line and shut-off valve. 
  3. Schedule your maintenance visit on the same day you turn off your furnace. It’s easy to forget to do, and you’ll want a professional to handle cleaning, testing, and re-lighting your furnace in the fall. Scheduling the maintenance visit ahead of time means you won’t forget and be stuck scrambling when winter rolls in. 
  4. Change the air filter as soon as you turn off the furnace. You don’t want to be stuck with a dirty filter when you need your system next season, and it’s easy to forget if you don’t handle it immediately.

Do You Need to Turn Off Your Furnace?

If your furnace has an electric ignition, that means it doesn’t have a standard pilot light. It won’t constantly burn gas to keep the pilot on, and there isn’t much benefit to turning off the furnace. However, if you leave it on, be sure to change the air filter regularly, since air will still travel through and fill it up.

To get a free quote for your next furnace maintenance service, contact a FurnacesPrices.ca certified partner. We connect you with licensed and insured HVAC companies with all of the skills and expertise needed.

Is a Furnace Leaking Water Dangerous?

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Furnaces are an essential part of any home’s heating system, but they can also be a source of frustration when they start to leak water. A leaking furnace can cause damage to your floors, walls, and ceilings, as well as create an unpleasant musty odor and mold. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons why your furnace may be leaking water, and what furnace repair you can do to fix the problem before you get too much water damage.

Possible Reasons Water is Coming From the Furnace

Clogged condensate drain

The condensate drain is a small pipe that carries away the water that is created during the combustion process. If this condensate line becomes clogged, the water has nowhere to go and will start a condensation leak out of the furnace.

How to Fix It

  1. Locate the condensate drain: The condensate drain is typically located near the bottom of the furnace, and is connected to a PVC pipe that carries the condensate away from the furnace.
  2. Check for blockages: Use a pipe snake or a stiff wire to clear out any blockages in the condensate drain. This could be caused by algae, mold, insects, or other debris.
  3. Clean the PVC pipe: Use a pipe cleaning solution or a mixture of water and vinegar to clean out the PVC pipe. This will help to remove any buildup that may be causing the clog.
  4. Check the trap: Make sure the condensate trap is not clogged. The condensate trap is typically a small plastic or metal container that sits in the PVC pipe. It is designed to prevent sewer gasses from entering the home.
  5. Check the safety switch: Make sure the safety switch, which is typically located near the condensate drain, is functioning properly. If it isn’t, it may need to be replaced.
  6. Consult the manual: If the problem persists, refer to the furnace manual for troubleshooting tips or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
  7. Professional help: It’s also a good idea to call an HVAC professional technician to check it and fix it if needed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a clogged condensate drain can cause damage to the furnace and even can lead to dangerous gasses being released into the air.

Dirty air filter

A dirty air filter generally won’t directly cause your furnace to leak, especially during the winter. However, in the summertime when your central air conditioner is running, a dirty filter can impact airflow across the coil, which may cause extra condensation and leaking.

How to Fix It:

To fix this problem, you should check your air filter on a regular basis and replace it when it becomes dirty.

Faulty humidifier

If your furnace has a built-in humidifier, it may be the source of the water leak. A faulty humidifier can cause water to leak out of the furnace and onto the floor.

How to Fix It:

  1. Check the water level: Make sure the water tank is full, and the float valve is functioning properly.
  2. Clean the humidifier: Remove any mineral buildup or mold on the humidifier by cleaning it with white vinegar or a humidifier cleaning solution.
  3. Replace the water panel: Check if the water panel needs to be replaced, as it may be clogged or no longer functioning properly.
  4. Check the fan: Make sure the fan that blows air through the humidifier is working properly.
  5. Check the wiring: Ensure that all the wiring connections are secure and in good condition.
  6. Check the humidistat: Make sure the humidistat is working properly and set to the desired humidity level.
  7. Consult the manual: If the problem persists, refer to the humidifier’s manual for troubleshooting tips or contact the manufacturer for assistance.

It’s also a good idea to have a professional technician check it and fix it if needed.

Leaky condensate pump

If your furnace is located in a basement or crawl space, it may have a condensate pump that is used to pump the water away from the furnace. If this pump becomes faulty, it can cause water to leak out of the furnace.

A repairman working on a leaking furnace

How To Fix It

  1. Check the tubing: Make sure the tubing that carries the condensate from the furnace to the pump is not clogged or leaking. If it is, clean or replace the tubing as necessary.
  2. Check the pump: Make sure the condensate pump itself is not leaking. If it is, it may need to be replaced.
  3. Check the float switch: Make sure the float switch, which activates the pump, is functioning properly and not stuck.
  4. Check the discharge line: Make sure the discharge line, which carries the condensate away from the pump, is not clogged or leaking.
  5. Check the power supply: Make sure the pump is receiving power and that the outlet or switch it is connected to is functioning properly.
  6. Consult the manual: If the problem persists, refer to the pump’s manual for troubleshooting tips or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
  7. Professional help: It’s also a good idea to have a professional technician check it and fix it if needed.

It’s important to note that if the leak is coming from the condensate pump, it’s likely that the pump needs to be replaced.

Rusting or corroded furnace

An older furnace that is rusting or corroded can be a source of water leaks.

How to Fix It:

  1. Identify the source of rust or corrosion: Inspect the furnace to determine where the rust or corrosion is coming from. Common areas to check include the heat exchanger, burners, and any metal parts.
  2. Clean the furnace: Use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove as much rust and corrosion as possible. Clean the affected area with a rust remover solution or a mixture of water and vinegar.
  3. Apply a rust inhibitor: Once the rust is removed, apply a rust inhibitor to the affected area to prevent further corrosion.
  4. Check for leaks: Look for any leaks or cracks in the furnace caused by rust or corrosion. If any are found, they should be repaired before the furnace is used again. Be especially vigilant around the heat exchanger. If cleaning corrosion from the heat exchanger reveals a crack or hole, DO NOT USE the furnace. Call a professional to evaluate whether the heat exchanger can be replaced; it cannot be repaired.
  5. Check for safety hazards: If the rust or corrosion has caused damage to any safety features of the furnace, the furnace should not be used and should be repaired or replaced by a professional.
  6. Consider replacement: If the rust or corrosion is extensive or affects a critical component of the furnace like the heat exchanger, it may be more cost-effective to replace the furnace rather than attempting to repair it.

It’s important to keep in mind that rust or corrosion in a furnace is a safety hazard and can lead to dangerous gasses being released into the air. Therefore it’s recommended to have a professional technician check it and fix it.

What To Do if Your Furnace is Dripping Water

In conclusion, a leaking furnace can be caused by several different problems, including clogged condensate drains, dirty air filters, faulty humidifiers, leaking condensate pumps, and rusting or corroded components.

To fix the problem, you should try to identify the source of the leak and take appropriate action. If you’re building the house, ensure you have a floor drain in the room where your HVAC system will be installed.

If you’re not sure what’s causing the leak, it’s best to call a professional for help. With proper maintenance and timely repairs, you can prevent your furnace from leaking water and keep your home warm and dry.

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Heat Pumps vs. Furnaces: Which One Is Right For Heating Your Home

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Trying to figure out which HVAC heating system is the right one for your home can be confusing. With so many options available, it can be challenging to make the right choice.

This article will break down the two most popular HVAC heating systems: the reliable home heating furnace, and the modern cold climate heat pump. We’ll examine the pros and cons, compare them and answer a few questions about which one may be better for heating your home.

What’s The Difference Between a Heat Pump and a Furnace?

Before we take a closer look at the pros and cons of each system, let’s find out how each of these heating systems works.

The Furnace Heating System

A furnace is one of the most popular ways to heat a home. Approximately 77 million furnaces are installed in households across North America. Furnaces heat a home using electricity, propane, natural gas, or oil. Several styles, brands, and types of furnaces are available on the market. A furnace does one thing – it heats your home with hot air.

In most cases, it does this by using a power source to ignite a burner located inside the furnace cabinet. Once the burners are lit, they heat a chamber. Then a blower fan sends air through the chamber where it picks up that heat and sends it through your ductwork and out the vents in your home to warm up the rooms.

An electric furnace works the same way, except it uses an electrically heated element instead of a burner, and the fan blows your air directly over it into the ducts.

With proper and regular cleaning of the filter and ducts, a furnace will provide 15 to 20 years of warm air in your home. Whether these systems are gas furnaces, electric furnaces, oil furnaces, or propane furnaces, they are all designed to generate heat during even the coldest winter temperatures.

The Heat Pump System

A heat pump works much differently than a furnace, and it can do more than simply warm a home. A heat pump can also work as an air conditioner, air filter, and dehumidifier. This one piece of technology can replace almost all the other HVAC equipment you would need for your home.

A heat pump can perform all these tasks efficiently because it doesn’t produce heat itself. Instead, it harvests and transports heat. During the winter, a heat pump takes heat from outside, concentrates it, then transports it throughout your home. During the summer, it reverses the process and draws heat energy from inside your house, and transports it outside. 

Although it may sound like brand-new technology, it isn’t. The heat pump has been around for decades and uses the same technology found in refrigerators and air conditioners. Recently, innovative developments in heat pump technology have given them the ability to transport heat in and out of the home even when the temperatures are well below freezing outside.

Another selling feature of the heat pump is that it doesn’t necessarily require any of the standard ductwork a furnace does. Individual rooms or areas can be heated or cooled.

The most common heat pump for a home these days is an air-source heat pump. Geothermal systems are also available which takes heat from a water source or ground source to pump into your home.

When it comes to electricity usage, a heat pump uses much less power than a regular furnace. You’ll get 2x to 4x the amount of heat energy out of a heat pump vs electrical energy consumed.

The Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps and Furnaces

Each system comes with advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at some things you can expect from each system.

The Advantages of Installing a Furnace

  • The initial cost of installing a furnace is typically lower than installing a heat pump.
  • Furnaces use standard technology that most technicians are familiar with.
  • The dry and cozy heat from a furnace is also a familiar feeling most people are accustomed to.
  • If properly maintained, a furnace can heat a home quickly.
  • The furnace heat system can run on several forms of energy, such as natural gas, propane, oil, and electricity.

Even though furnaces are the most popular way to heat a home, they come with a few noticeable drawbacks.

The Disadvantages of Installing a Furnace

  • A furnace, whether it’s a natural gas furnace, electric furnace, oil furnace, or propane furnace, uses much more energy than a heat pump system for a given output of heat – in some cases, three or more times as much.
  • Installing a furnace means you will also have to install ductwork if you don’t already have some. This can be an expensive installation process, especially if the ductwork has to be retrofitted through the building frame.
  • If your furnace is not properly cleaned and maintained, furnaces can malfunction prematurely.
  • A furnace that is not correctly maintained and cleaned can also be a fire hazard.
  • Furnaces don’t usually deliver a consistent temperature; they turn on and off multiple times a day.
  • Whether you install a natural gas furnace, propane furnace, electric furnace, or oil furnace, the movement of hot air can introduce more airborne dust into your home.
  • A furnace can only heat your home. You will have to install an air conditioner, dehumidifier, and air filter separately.

The Advantages of Installing a Cold Climate Heat Pump

  • A cold-climate heat pump system does it all. It cools, cleans, heats, and dehumidifies the air. You won’t need any other HVAC system installed.
  • Heat pumps are easy to maintain, and you’ll only need them serviced once a year.
  • Cold climate heat pumps are two to four times more efficient compared to any furnace.
  • You can usually get a federal or state home improvement rebate when you install a heat pump.
  • Heat pumps don’t burn fossil fuels like gas furnaces so they don’t pose any carbon monoxide risk to your home.
  • The air that is circulated with heat pump systems may feel more comfortable and less dry than air heated by a furnace.
  • Heat pump systems don’t necessarily need ductwork. This means fewer installation costs or retrofitting for older homes. They are available in several different styles that can even use existing ductwork and are available as mini-splits to heat or cool only one room or a few rooms.

Disadvantages of Installing Heat Pumps

  • For those in colder climates, you may require a backup heating system to help during extremely cold weather. A cold climate heat pump can’t heat adequately if the outdoor air drops below -23ºC (-10ºF), and they are less efficient below -12° (10° F).
  • The initial installation cost for a heat pump can be more expensive than a traditional furnace installation.

Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Things to Consider

Pros and cons aside, when choosing the right HVAC heating solution for your home, there are some things to consider. Let’s hone in on some of the things you should specifically look for with these heating systems and see if they fit your specific needs.

Choosing a Furnace

Most people leaning towards a specific type of furnace, like electric furnaces or gas furnaces, do so for several different reasons. Here are some things that might make you choose a furnace installation over a heat pump installation.

  • You prefer to spend less on upfront installation costs.
  • You want the bare bones in home heating systems.
  • Your home already has air ducts and gas lines installed.
  • You prefer and are prepared to keep a well-maintained furnace.
  • You prefer a furnace’s heat over other heating systems like air-source heat pumps.
  • You choose to install air conditioning separately or you already have AC.
  • Your home doesn’t qualify for government assistance for the installation of a heat pump.

Choosing a Heat Pump

Cold climate heat pumps come as air-source heat pumps, water-source heat pumps (drawing energy from a lake or river), or even geothermal heat pumps that draw heat from the ground.

All heat pumps are 200% to 300% more efficient than an electric furnace. Here are some other reasons people choose a heat pump over a furnace:

  • Although more expensive upfront than a furnace, government rebate programs may cover a heat pump installation.
  • You prefer all of your climate control, heating, cooling, filtering, and dehumidifying to be done by one piece of equipment.
  • You understand the costs associated with using a gas furnace or heating oil and the possible problems related to a furnace that can produce carbon monoxide.
  • Your home does not have existing ductwork or is not designed for ductwork installation.
  • You have an older home that requires unique heating needs to heat the house evenly.
  • You like the idea of room-by-room temperature control if you use mini-split systems. And even heat one room while cooling another.
  • You want a low-maintenance heating system.

Heat Pump vs. Furnace FAQs

Are you still wondering about the great furnace debate of heat pump vs. furnace? To help you with your decision, let’s look at the most common questions people have about these two different heating systems.

Are Electric Furnaces a Good Option?

Yes, electric furnace systems are a good choice for many homeowners. They require minimal upfront installation costs, but these systems are less energy efficient than other heating systems.

So if you’re looking for better energy efficiency, there are definitely better options than an electric furnace.

Do You Need a Dual Fuel System With a Heat Pump?

You won’t need supplemental heating systems like a gas or electric furnace with heat pumps for mild winter temperatures.

Heat pumps work by harvesting heat energy from the outside air. However, in super cold climates where the outdoor temperature drops below -23ºC (-10ºF), an air source heat pump may need an additional (typically) electric heater installed as a backup.

Do Heat Pumps Need Gas to Work?

No. Heat pumps run on electricity only and don’t directly use fossil fuels like gas, propane, or oil. In the debate over a heat pump vs. a furnace when it comes to direct fossil fuel use, heat pumps win even if the electricity is generated with fossil fuels.

Oil, propane, or gas furnaces can leak carbon monoxide if not properly maintained. It’s always important to have your oil, propane, or gas furnace inspected and maintained regularly.

Heat Pump vs. Gas Furnace: Which One is Cheaper to Run?

In most cases, heat pumps are cheaper to run than gas furnaces. However, depending on what province you live in, energy costs can vary drastically.

Generally speaking, heat pumps can be up to four times more energy efficient than a gas furnace. The energy efficiency of heat pumps means that you’ll be cutting down on your home’s energy waste quicker than you would with a gas furnace.

Do You Need an Air Conditioner With Heat Pumps?

No. The heat pump’s indoor and outdoor units can keep your home warm during winter and also cool during the summer. During the summer months or in warmer climates, the indoor unit cools off and circulates the hot indoor air, which quickly cools the home.

And during the winter, the outdoor unit generates its own heat source by drawing any heat from the outside and transferring it to the home’s indoor air. An additional air conditioning unit is not needed.

Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Which One is the Noisiest?

Heat pumps are quiet systems. Gas furnaces use heat exchangers that can expand and contract, along with the ductwork, making noises. Heat pumps are a better choice if you like a particularly quiet home.

However, there are some very quiet gas furnaces on the market if you need a more cost-effective option that can be almost as quiet.

Can You Replace a Heat Pump With a Furnace?

Yes! You can replace traditional gas furnaces or electric furnaces with a heat pump, but the other way might not work as easily. Heat pumps can be installed in a home regardless if there is existing ductwork or not.

However, if the home doesn’t have any existing ductwork and you want to install a gas furnace, you will also have to install ductwork – which is a very large extra cost. Installing fuel lines can also be expensive. Before installing a gas furnace or a heat pump, look at your home’s features and layout.

This will determine if gas furnaces or heat pumps will work best with your home’s design.

Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Final Thoughts

Installing any HVAC system requires careful planning and decision-making. Are you looking for better heating efficiency or reducing heating costs? Do you like the idea of heat energy drawn from the outside with heat pumps?

Or do you prefer a traditional indoor unit like a gas furnace? Are you concerned about the air quality? And is your home designed to accommodate ductwork installation?

Asking a few simple questions like these will determine which type of heat system will be better suited for your home. Ultimately, the decision to heat your home will be based on many factors, such as budget, heat energy, style, and personal preference.

Talk to a local HVAC specialist for more information on these heating options.


How Long Does It Take To Install or Replace a Furnace?

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When it’s frigid outside, during the worst winter can throw at us, the last thing you want is a furnace that doesn’t keep your house warm. If the damage isn’t repairable, or it’s too costly to fix, that means you’ll need a new furnace. But, that leaves you with a host of decisions to make. 

Where will you stay until your new furnace is up and running? How long does it take to replace a furnace? Will you need to book a hotel for weeks or is it a job that can be done on a weekend? 

Let’s answer some of those questions for you. In most cases, professionals can install a furnace in 10 hours or less, but there are some factors that can impact the timeline, including: 

  • The size and condition of your home
  • Fuel type
  • Unit availability
  • Is it a replacement or a new installation?
  • What type of infrastructure does it need?

We’ll answer all of these questions and more as we take a deep dive into furnace installation and what you can expect when you need to install a new furnace. 

Average Furnace Installation Timeline

Most furnaces install in about 4 to 10 hours, which often means a single day of work can have your home warm and cozy. If that seems like a wide range, that’s because furnaces use a variety of fuel types and methods for heat delivery.

The larger and more complex the system, the longer it will take for your heating professionals to swap out a broken unit for a new one. If your current heater is in bad condition, it can also delay the tear-out process. How long does it take to take out a furnace? Tear-out is usually fast and efficient, but if some parts are rusted in place or require more work to remove, it can delay the start of your new furnace installation. With at least two well-trained heating technicians handling the work, you could have heat flowing through your home in as little as a couple of hours.

Home furnace air filter replacement

 Larger Houses Take Longer During Furnace Installation

Size matters when it comes to your furnace. A larger unit means you’ll need more hands to help maneuver the new furnace in place and to get everything hooked up properly. It can also take longer to test the system since you have a larger area to heat. 

The condition of the heating infrastructure in your home can also play an important role in determining the timeline. If your vents or radiators aren’t in good condition, you may need to have those repaired as part of your furnace installation.

 Picking the Right Furnace Fuel

Furnaces are available that use a wide variety of energy sources. Most are fuel-burning, but there are electric options. Natural gas is one of the most affordable options since it is a very low-cost fuel, but gas lines aren’t available everywhere. If you don’t have easy access to gas, you might prefer to install a propane furnace along with a storage tank, or an electric heater. 

If you’re doing a simple swap for an older model unit that uses the same fuel type as your new furnace replacement, it can streamline the process and reduce the installation time. If you want to upgrade your furnace to a more affordable and energy-efficient option, such as switching from oil heat to natural gas, it will add time and increase the cost of your installation. 

Additional Purchasing Considerations

When shopping around for a new furnace, factors such as availability and heat distribution can influence your decision. Here are some vital situations to consider when you’re looking to purchase a new furnace.

Is Your New Furnace In Stock?

While most HVAC companies have a wide selection of furnace options available locally, if you have a specific request or want a model that isn’t immediately available, you might have to wait. Shipping times can vary and weather can slow down shipping, turning your one-day heating installation into a multi-week project. Be sure to ask about availability before signing off on the new furnace installation.

Replacement vs. New Installation Timelines

When you have all of the infrastructure in place to support your new furnace, you may only need to swap one unit for another. That helps keep the time short. But, if you’re switching to an electric furnace from an oil-burning one, you might also need to upgrade your electric panel. 

If you’re making the switch to natural gas, you’ll need your installer to check the gas lines and make sure they can support the extra fuel load. Whenever you’re switching furnace types, it can add time to the installation process. 

Forced Air vs. Radiant Heat

How heat is distributed can also impact your final timeline. If you have a forced air system, which is most common for furnace heat, you’ll want it thoroughly inspected before you get your new unit. Sagging ducts and poorly sealed seams can cause tremendous heat loss. 

Radiators may need bleeding or other maintenance before producing enough heat for every area of your home. Make sure your installer checks the supportive infrastructure before they quote a price or give you an estimated time for completion.

Upgrade Your Furnace Today

It usually takes no more than 10 hours to install a furnace. However, if your home is unusually large or you’re doing more than simply swapping one model for a newer version, it can extend the time it will take. Even longer furnace installation projects generally don’t take more than two days, so you can avoid booking a lengthy hotel stay and maybe find a friend or family member to put you up over a weekend. 

Get a quote today from FurnacePrices.ca certified partners. We check over 15 different criteria, so you only get upfront pricing from reliable HVAC companies.

What to Do When Your Furnace Stops Working

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During the winter months, your furnace is one of the most important home appliances that you’ll need. A fully functioning furnace should be able to produce adequate heat to keep you and your family warm throughout the coldest months of the year. But what about when it stops working?

When your furnace stops working, it can be a disaster. If your furnace stops working during the frigid winter months, the temperature inside your home can drop rapidly. You can also end up with frozen water pipes as well as irreparable damage to your home, and even your health. 

Keep reading to learn more about what to do when your furnace stops working and how to fix your furnace when it does – even without calling a furnace repair technician.

Why Has My Furnace Stopped Working?

There are several reasons that your furnace might have stopped working. The most common reasons are:

  • A clogged filter
  • A broken safety switch
  • Debris on the burners
  • Problems with the gas line
  • A tripped breaker or blown fuse

These are only a few of the problems that may cause your furnace to stop working. Overall, the most common reasons your furnace will stop working are parts of the equipment breaking down over time. If your filter becomes clogged or the safety switch stops tripping, your furnace will stop producing adequate heat.

Your furnace may also stop working because of a problem with the electrical or gas lines connecting to the furnace, or a tripped breaker. If you have not checked your electrical and gas lines recently, it is recommended to do so to make sure your furnace is in working order.

Issues with a gas leak or carbon monoxide leak, which could trigger safety shut-off mechanisms in the furnace, need immediate attention from a professional. If this is the case, your furnace may be red-tagged to prevent further use until repairs are made use, so it’s something that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible.

What to Check if Your Furnace Stops Working

If your furnace stops working, there are several things that you can check on your own before calling a furnace repair professional. Of course, if you don’t feel confident working on your furnace, a professional is always the best option, as they have the necessary training to repair parts of an HVAC system.

  1. Make Sure the Furnace is On

The very first thing that you will want to check before looking at anything else is whether or not your furnace is on. This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people think their furnace is broken when it simply wasn’t turned on. 

When you check to make sure that the furnace power switch is on, you should also check that the furnace is connected correctly. A gas furnace will need to be connected to your gas line, and an electric furnace will need to be connected to your electrical system. 

  1. Inspect the Filters

After making sure that your furnace is connected correctly, you will want to inspect your furnace’s filters. These filters are there to protect your furnace from the hair, dust, and debris that could be sucked into your furnace through the return duct. 

Over time, a furnace filter may become clogged, which will reduce the amount of air that your furnace can pull in and heat. If your furnace hasn’t completely stopped working but the air flow has slowed down significantly, then you may have clogged furnace filters. 

  1. Check for Debris in the Combustion Chamber

Most furnaces produce gasses, including carbon monoxide, that need to be vented outside of the home to prevent dangerous gas buildup. The gas can either be exhausted via piping or via a chimney that is attached to the furnace. 

Over time, damage can occur and the chimney or pipes can stop working as well; they can become clogged or blocked, or even start leaking. To make sure that this isn’t the case you should check inside the combustion chamber of your furnace. If you see residue, wet patches, or water runoff, it is a sign that your chimney is not working properly and you should call in an HVAC professional. 

  1. Check the Safety Switch

The safety switch is the part of your furnace that keeps it from overheating. This switch is designed to shut the furnace down if it becomes too hot.

Over time, your safety switch may stop working and could become less sensitive or overly sensitive to changes in temperature. This could cause it to constantly shut off the furnace even when it hasn’t overheated.

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to this problem if the safety switch is what’s causing the issue. All you’ll have to do is install a new safety switch. This can be done by a professional or, if you’re feeling up to it, you can install a new safety switch by yourself.

  1. Change your Thermostat’s Batteries

Another common reason that your furnace may stop working is not actually an issue with the furnace. Your furnace is set to turn on and off based on the temperature that your thermostat detects. If your thermostat batteries die, it will not send signals to the furnace telling it when to turn on and off. 

  1. Call a Professional

If you have checked all of these easy fixes and everything seems to be correctly installed and in working order, it’s time to call a professional. An HVAC professional will be able to troubleshoot and figure out exactly what is wrong with your furnace. 

Furnace problems should not be taken lightly. The last thing you want to do is make the problem worse by trying to do a repair that you are not trained to do. An HVAC professional will also help you by recommending the most cost-effective ways to repair your furnace. If a warranty is still valid they can also help you to contact the company and redeem your warranty for new parts or a replacement furnace. 

Maintaining your Furnace

The most effective way to prevent problems from happening with your furnace is to maintain it properly. This will help to prevent problems before they even start. Here are some things you can do as part of a maintenance regimen:

Regularly Change the Filters

One of the easiest things you can do on your own to keep your furnace in good condition is to regularly change the filters. These are the filters that keep hair, dust, and other debris from entering your furnace. Over time they can become clogged which will lower the efficiency of your furnace. On average, you should change the filters in your furnace every three months.

Regular Professional Maintenance

The most important thing you can do to maintain your furnace and keep it from breaking down is to have a regular furnace tune-up from an HVAC professional. There are only so many repairs that you can do on your own and repairing incorrectly could do more harm than good.

An HVAC professional will also be able to check for things like carbon monoxide leaks which can occur for various reasons. In the process of heating your home, gas-burning furnaces may produce a by-product called carbon monoxide, especially if the gas is not burning cleanly. In a properly installed and maintained furnace, this carbon monoxide gas is contained and pumped out of your home.

If your furnace is not properly maintained, carbon monoxide can build up in your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea, and, in severe cases, death. This is just one more reason that your furnace needs to have professional maintenance done. 

When in Doubt, Call in a Professional

The most important thing for you to take away from this article is that when in doubt, you should always call in a professional furnace repair technician. Yes, there is some furnace troubleshooting that you can do and you can sometimes figure out how to fix a furnace on your own. However, it is always best to call an HVAC professional to fix your furnace system.

A professional furnace repair technician is highly trained in the common issues you may encounter with your heating system – from clogged furnace filters and heating ducts to a full repair or replacement of your heating system. They can also perform maintenance that will help prevent the same issue and other issues from occurring in the future. 

Don’t take any kind of furnace problem lightly and never aim to repair a furnace on your own if you have no experience or know-how.

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