General HVAC News, Tips & Advice

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Want a new furnace or air conditioning system but don’t have the money to pay thousands of dollars in upfront costs? Or maybe you simply prefer to spread the payments out over a period of months or years, giving you a manageable and predictable monthly amount to pay every month. Consider Furnace Financing

With flexible and affordable furnace and air conditioner financing you can upgrade or replace your heating and cooling system now and start enjoying the benefits of a new high-efficiency HVAC system right away, but pay for it later.

Start saving money on your gas or electricity bills immediately, which can even offset the cost of your new unit.

Or if your old furnace broke down, financing can help you avoid being stuck without heat in the middle of winter!

Plus, you may even have the option to not pay for up to 6 months, meaning you can get your new furnace or AC installed now and not have to make payments until months later.

Great for landlords & business owners too!

Furnace financing is also great for business owners and landlords who can build the predictable cost into their tenants’ lease or monthly business expenses.

Other products you can finance include:

• central air conditioners
• ductless heat pump/mini-split systems
• combi-boilers
• tankless hot water heaters
• and even water softeners

Who to get financing from?

Most of our Certified Partners across Canada provide affordable consumer financing options to their customers. For more info, simply request a quote from our local partners in your area, and mention financing in the Additional Info box.

Unlike banks and traditional lenders, this type of direct financing is designed specifically to help with home and commercial heating & cooling needs. With extensive experience in the HVAC industry, our partnersare able to help you every step of the way, from choosing the right furnace or A/C model, selecting a payment plan that works for you, and handling the installation and servicing as well.

Get more information or a free estimate by visiting: Get a financing quote on a new heating & cooling system now!

Or check out our current deals page for special offers from our local HVAC contractor partners across Canada!

Financing Features & Benefits

• Financing allows you to take as little as 12 months or as many as 15 years to pay it off (with dozens of options in between)
• Flexible monthly rates to suit your budget
• Up to 100% financing for all your home heating & cooling needs
• Open Loan – Pay off the entire loan at any time without penalties
• Personal and Confidential
• Easy deductions from your bank account
• Very competitive rates
• High-efficiency ENERGY STAR® systems that qualify for government rebates (up to 98.5 % AFUE)
• Top brands like Goodman, Amana, American Standard, Lennox, Carrier, Trane, Rheem, Napoleon, and more!
• Save up to 40% or more on your energy bills & enjoy a more comfortable and environmentally-friendly home

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A common question consumers often have is who makes a given brand of furnace or air conditioner. And many consumers may not realize that popular makes of heating and cooling equipment are owned by the same parent company.

In many cases, brands are acquired by larger multinational conglomerates and added to their portfolio.

Reasons manufacturers acquire other brands

• Expanding their market reach by acquiring a brand that may be popular in a particular region or country, or achieving deeper market penetration
• Targeting new market segments, like high-income consumers
• Diversification, such as acquiring a company that makes a different but related type of product (e.g. furnace & A/C manufacturer acquiring a ductless mini-split manufacturer)
• Acquiring technology or manufacturing capabilities, or achieving greater economies of scale and lowering costs
• Overall growth, or other strategic goals and ‘synergies’

Sometimes these brands will be allowed to continue operating largely independently, or the parent company may take a more hands-on approach and seek to improve the manufacturing process, increase efficiency, eliminate redundancies, merge distribution channels or supply chains, or share technology and components.

Note that although two brands may be owned by the same parent company, this does not necessarily mean that the heating & air conditioning systems are the same. Some parts may be shared between them, and the units may even look similar, but certain core components may be different, the manufacturing process may be different, and warranties or other features may not be the same.

Similar to different car brands operating under a larger conglomerate, each brand may be designed to appeal to a specific target market or type of homeowner, with different features and price points.

Ownership Breakdown of Top HVAC Manufacturers

Now, on to the list of who makes or owns every major make and brand of furnace or air conditioner. Note that we’ve limited ourselves to the most common manufacturers sold in the Canadian market.

Here’s a breakdown of who owns or makes which furnace and air conditioner brands:

Johnson Controls owns/makes:^[1]

• York
• Luxaire
• Coleman

Trane Technologies plc owns/makes:^[2]

• American Standard
• Trane

UPDATE: In 2020 Ingersoll Rand spun off its HVAC division, which it is renaming Trane Technologies plc

Carrier Global Corp. owns/makes:^[3]

• Carrier
• Bryant
• Payne
• International Comfort Products, which owns/makes:^[4]
  • ComfortMaker
  • Arcoaire
  • Heil
  • KeepRite
  • Tempstar

UPDATE: In 2020 U.T.C. underwent a merger with Raytheon Company, which involved spinning off its HVAC division into a new company called Carrier Global Corp.

Daikin Comfort Technologies, L.P. owns/makes:^[5]

• Daikin
• Goodman
• Amana

Daikin recently renamed its parent company to reflect a more unified structure between all subsidiaries.

Lennox International owns/makes:^[6]

• Lennox
• Service Experts (Joint venture between: Lennox & Enercare)
• ALLIED AIR ENTERPRISES, LLC, which owns/makes:^[7]
  • Concord
  • Armstrong Air
  • Ducane
  • Aire-flo

Nortek Global HVAC owns/makes:^[7]

• Frigidaire
• Maytag

Rheem Manufacturing Company owns/makes:^[8]

• Rheem
• Ruud

Wolf Steel Ltd. owns/makes: ^[9][10]

• Napoleon
• Continental

It can be fascinating to see how well-known and sometimes seemingly competing brands are actually owned by the same organization, and how various mergers and acquisitions have shaped the HVAC industry.

That being said, you should not necessarily base your purchasing decision on this list. There can be a number of factors, including the reliability of the actual contractor or distributor, and the quality of the installation that can impact the performance and longevity of your heating & cooling system.

To get a quote from trusted local distributors in your area, check out our FREE Quote Page.

Has there been a major brand acquisition we’re not aware of or think something is inaccurate? Let us know!

Sources

1. https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/buildings/our-brands
2. https://www.warrantyweek.com/archive/ww20211202.html
3. https://www.warrantyweek.com/archive/ww20211202.html
4. https://www.icpusa.com/who.html
5. https://www.amana-hac.com/about-us/amana-history
6. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1069202/000119312512065358/d259633dex211.htm
7. https://www.nortekhvac.com/
8. https://www.rheem.com/about
9. https://continentalheatingandcooling.com/about-us/
10. https://ca.linkedin.com/company/wolf-steel-ltd

Furnace Pricing are one of consumers’ top concerns when replacing their old furnace or A/C. We look at the real factors that affect what you’ll pay for your new heating & cooling system.

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One of the top things homeowners want to know when they’re in the market for a new furnace or air conditioner is “what’s it gonna cost?” (Heck, there’s a reason this site is called FurnacePrices.ca!)

A new furnace or A/C is a major purchase, and it’s not something the average person buys every day, so it’s not surprising the typical homeowner isn’t sure what to expect, especially with the volume of brands and models available.

And of course, everyone wants to make sure they’re getting a good deal. That is why furnace pricing is important.

Variables Affecting Furnace Pricing of a New Furnace

Like most home renovation jobs, there are many variables that can affect the final cost, including:

• The brand you choose
• The model you choose – efficiency rating, type (single-stage, multi-stage, etc), features, and so on
• The size of the unit (depending on the layout and square footage of your home)
• Factors relating to the installation like whether you’re replacing an old unit or adding a new one, how old your current unit is and whether any venting and other upgrades are needed to meet modern building codes, whether it’s a conversion (i.e. from oil to gas, for example).
• Where you live. Different areas can vary by the number of companies in the city and how competitive it is, if you live in a more rural area and they have to travel further to service you, that may factor into the price. Local permits and regulations may also vary by municipality.
• Which company you deal with. Every company is different, and each one has their own costs, pricing structure, number of staff & overhead, and so on.

“But what’s the REAL price of the unit?”

People often want to know the “real” price of a furnace or A/C model… I can’t count the number of emails and comments we’ve received angrily exclaiming “I don’t care what the installed price is, tell me what the REAL unit price is!!”

However even “list/unit” prices are not always the same for different distributors & contractors, as these can vary based on several factors like the volume of units the company buys, and who they’re buying them from. So two HVAC contractors may in fact be paying different prices for the same unit.

And similar to car makers, furnace and A/C manufacturers typically don’t sell directly to consumers.

Different manufacturers often have different distribution structures, so a local contractor may be buying units directly from the manufacturer, or often from a large authorized regional distributor (an intermediary, basically), or in some cases, they may buy them from another dealer or contractor.

For instance, this would allow two smaller contractors to buy together and get a better unit price since the order volume is higher. Or sometimes a newer contractor might not yet be an actual ‘authorized dealer’ for a particular brand, since this process can take time depending on the brand, so they’ll temporarily buy some stock from another company.

Also this doesn’t automatically mean the largest companies will have the lowest prices because although they may buy higher volume, they also tend to have more overhead, spend more on advertising, etc. Whether the company is large or small, it’s a delicate balancing act with many factors at play.

“How much are companies making on the installation?”

Another common thing consumers want to know is how much the company or contractor is actually making on the whole deal, hoping that they’ll be able to negotiate a “fairer” price if they have this key piece of information.

“How much of the quoted price are they pocketing just for installing the unit?”

The reality is that this varies of course, but some people use 50% as a general rule of thumb, which may be accurate in some cases and wildly off in others. HOWEVER, regardless, it is important to realize that the labour portion of the cost covers many things, it is not all profit.

In addition to the company’s fixed furnace pricing costs – which they have to pay no matter what – including insurance, licensing fees, vehicles and associated costs (fuel, commercial insurance, maintenance), technician salaries, office or storage space, administrator (to help with client support, paperwork, etc), phones & utilities, advertising & marketing, and so on, the company also has to cover costs related to each install.

Beyond the cost of the unit itself, there may be a range of other parts and labour required during the installation. And good technicians are always in demand and therefore don’t work for cheap.

Every home is different, and sometimes unforeseen costs part way through the installation can eat into the company’s narrow margins and even cause the company to lose money in the end. Because a price has already been agreed upon at this point, the contractor will typically absorb this cost.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for companies to occasionally install a furnace or A/C at a price that provides virtually no profit, simply to cover their fixed costs, keep their staff paid, and keep the whole machine running, so to speak.

HVAC contractors also need to cover the cost of future servicing covered by the labour warranty

Finally, because any company worth their salt will provide some form of labour warranty, this means that they also must account for a certain number of service calls and repairs that they will have to cover the cost of.

Now I’m not suggesting that everyone in the HVAC business is living hand to mouth and barely scraping by. Well-run companies, and hard working staff can certainly earn a comfortable living.

I’m simply hoping to illustrate that the price breakdown can be more complex than it appears, and consumers should avoid the temptation of thinking that if a company paid let’s say $1500 for the unit, and quoted $3500 to the customer, that it means that they’re trying to rip you off and will be walking away laughing with $2000 of pure profit.

The pie is split up into many pieces, but this allows good companies to retain high-quality staff and cover other important costs (like insurance, licensing, etc) so that they can deliver top notch service, good ongoing support – in short, heating & cooling solutions that Canadians and their families can depend on.

That being said, there are certainly companies out there who will charge whatever they can get away with, so this highlights the importance of dealing with reputable companies, with fair and transparent pricing.

Why looking for the absolute lowest price is not always the best course of action

Beware of really low furnace pricing…

• Especially suspiciously low ‘advertised furnace prices’. Certain companies may advertise very low prices, but keep in mind the actual price you get quoted will almost certainly be different. Anyone can advertise “Lennox furnaces for $1800” but in all likelihood, prices like these – if actually available at all – are only for the most basic of installations, on a low end unit, and do not factor in added costs that are likely to appear by the time you get the actual estimate.
• Or these furnace prices may be factoring in government or utility company rebates that you may or may not qualify for, and in any case will be applied for and reimbursed after the installation.
• All this means is that you should take advertised prices with a grain of salt, since you’ll virtually never get a firm price until a company can actually do an in-home estimate to assess the labour and parts required for your particular home. If you saw a home renovations company advertising a kitchen makeover for $5,000, it would be obvious that the final price would vary based on many things. Upgrading your heating and cooling system is no different.
• If a price is very low, will the company spend the added time necessary to deliver quality workmanship, which is crucial to a reliable and long-lasting system? If a company is offering prices that seem too good to be true or are well below the norm, ask yourself how they’re making that profitable… are they cramming in more jobs a day than usual to make it viable, overworking their installers, or using cheaper and less-experienced technicians, for instance?
• Are they using cheaper, lower quality secondary components, or a used or refurbished unit? So for example, even though the main unit is supposed to be 98% AFUE, because it’s paired with a less efficient coil, the true efficiency may be lower.
• Is this company reliable? Are they fully insured, and fully licensed? These things cost money… there’s a reason established companies have somewhat higher prices. Will they be there to help if there’s an issue or a service call is required in mid-January?
• Is it some guy working out of his car? Hey, everyone’s gotta start somewhere but just be aware that you typically get what you pay for.

The bottom line is that like any home contracting job, the cost of upgrading your heating & cooling system can vary considerably based on your home, your current system, what your needs are, what you buy, and who you deal with. Always consider furnace pricing when choosing a new unit.

It’s natural to want to make sure you’re not getting ripped off, and get your money’s worth. Unfortunately, no one on the internet is going to be able to give firm and accurate prices without having a professional conduct an in-home estimate.

This is why we’ve partnered with reputable local distributors and contractors to provide free quotes to Canadian homeowners.

Get a free custom price estimate now!

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Simon Bernath

Founder of FurnacePrices.ca

During his years of working closely with HVAC professionals, Simon has gotten a unique inside look at how the industry operates, allowing him to share this unique perspective to help Canadians make informed buying decisions when replacing their heating & cooling systems.

 

Are online reviews really the best way to evaluate and choose a local heating & cooling company to replace your furnace or air conditioner? Find out below.

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Online business reviews have become the go-to way for consumers to choose which restaurants to eat at, where to get their car repaired, and of course, who to call when they need to upgrade their furnace or central air conditioner.

Customer reviews are great because you get to hear firsthand experiences from real people who have direct experience with local businesses in your area.

Take advantage of the wisdom of the crowd in an instant, right on your smartphone! But…

Unfortunately, this utopian vision is not always exactly how things end up working in reality.

Don’t get me wrong, customer reviews do have value when evaluating a local business’ services, and there is certainly nothing wrong with checking out customer feedback on popular directories and review aggregators. We all do it.

But let’s look at some reasons why, at least when it comes to heating & cooling contractors, simply taking a glance at the average star rating and making your decision based exclusively on that might not always be the best strategy, and why it’s often best to consider additional factors in your research.

Any time you’re doing work on your house, especially when it involves an investment of thousands of dollars into a system you’ll depend on to keep your family warm for years to come, choosing the right company to deal with is important. After all, you want to make sure the company will not only do a good job, but be there in case there are problems down the line (i.e. an emergency service call in the dead of winter!)

6 Reasons Why Local Business Reviews Can be Flawed

…and shouldn’t be your only way of evaluating HVAC contractors)

From the CBC: Black market in Google reviews means you can’t believe everything you read

Obviously this doesn’t mean Google reviews are wrong or should be totally disregarded… just that it’s worth considering a range of evaluation criteria and sources rather than just glancing at the star rating.

1) Review scores can be somewhat misleading 

Depending on how they’re weighted. E.g. take a business with three 5-star business reviews vs. a business with dozens of 4 and 5-star reviews, and maybe even a couple less positive reviews.

‘Company 1’ has a “5-star rating”, ‘Company 2’ has a “4.5-star rating”, which one should you put more weight in? Should you discount the second company because their average is lower or they have a couple of bad reviews, despite the fact that they clearly have a large volume of happy customers and more customers overall?

2) Business reviews can often be biased

Reviews are often left by friends and relatives, fake accounts, or even the company’s own employees… or of course competitors.

Sure, many reviews are legitimate but it’s also hardly difficult to purchase fake online reviews. Anyone who has spent any amount of time on popular social media sites and apps like YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram knows how common bots and spam are.

Online business reviews are no different… they’re a constant game of cat and mouse between the platforms and the spammers.

3) Reviews might be left shortly after installation and may not accurately reflect the quality of the workmanship 

“They were very polite and friendly”… that’s good to hear but that really doesn’t speak to the quality of the service from a technical perspective (something ordinary homeowners may not have the technical know-how to properly evaluate).

Or about the quality and responsiveness of the company’s ongoing support months or years later. How will the furnace actually hold up after a winter or two?

On that note, it can sometimes be difficult to separate the PRODUCT review (i.e. furnace/AC brand/model) from the SERVICE review (installation, sizing, workmanship, customer service and ongoing support).

Also read:

The TRUTH About Online Furnace & Air Conditioner Reviews – Should You Trust Them?

The TRUTH About Furnace & Air Conditioner Reliability

4) Customers may often be prodded or incentivized to leave reviews

Which can affect how unbiased they are. A study by Cornell University (warning: PDF) found not only that fake reviews are fairly prevalent but also that humans are not very good at spotting them.

5) Reviews are not necessarily a good representative sample

For instance, people are often much more likely to share a bad experience than a positive one, meaning a few unhappy customers may give a bad impression of a business, while many of their customers may have quietly enjoyed their experience, but simply never bothered to share it online.

6) There is no clear uniform standard for exactly how to leave a review

People often vary widely in opinions, interpretations, temperament, etc… reviews provide little context, and generally don’t account for the actual reviewer’s personal disposition and expectations (maybe they were having a bad day).

We’ve seen people leave a 1-star review because they called a company to request a quote (at the height of busy A/C season, no less) and felt they hadn’t been called back quickly enough, despite receiving a call back the very same day! We’ve seen a customer leave a 1-star review because the company didn’t accept their preferred credit card!

Sure, not being able to pay with the credit card that gives you the most points is mildly annoying or not getting a prompt call back, especially when you’re sweating through your shirt… but is it really fair to declare that company basically the worst HVAC company you could ever encounter?

And of course, it’s relatively easy to buy fake reviews… just Google “buy fake reviews” and in seconds you can easily find a bevy of services offering phony reviews for a few bucks.

Two more trustworthy sources on the topic from Time Magazine, and the Journal of Consumer Research:

• 9 Reasons You Shouldn’t Trust Online Reviews (Time Magazine)
• “Consumers’ trust in the average user rating as a cue for objective quality appears to be based on an “illusion of validity.” (Journal of Consumer Research)

So, does this mean you should just ignore online reviews and instead ‘throw darts at a map’ to choose an HVAC contractor to deal with? Of course not…

What to look for when choosing a heating & cooling contractor

Business reviews are a piece of the puzzle sure, but there are a number of other important factors that savvy homeowners should consider before shelling out thousands of dollars to purchase a new furnace or A/C, including that a local HVAC contractor:

• Has no outstanding complaints and unresolved disputes
• Has a good reputation and track record
• Ideally has been in business for at least a few years (not crucial obviously, everyone has to start somewhere! And new companies may be extra motivated to leave a good impression)
• Is fully insured and holds all appropriate licenses
• Follows up on company promises, has accurate pricing in ads (no hidden extras)
• Has fair and competitive pricing
• Offers competitive warranty coverage and solid guarantees on labour & installation
• Hires only certified technicians and support staff, and provides adequate training
• Has good turnaround time and responsiveness, which shows good management, organization, that the company has adequate staff and resources

Now, I know what you might be thinking… “how can I possibly evaluate all these criteria for every HVAC company in my area??”

Well trust me, I’m well aware that most people have better things to do than cross-examine potential HVAC contractors just to get their furnace replaced.

That’s why FurnacePrices.ca has taken the lead, offering heating & cooling companies the chance to complete our independent certification, which looks at a range of criteria, including how long the company has been in business, do they have proof of insurance, valid & up-to-date licensing, a history of good performance and overall positive feedback, and so on.

Learn more about our Certified HVAC Contractors >>

This helps bring more clarity and transparency to the shopping experience, helps Canadian homeowners make an informed purchasing decision, and helps local heating & cooling companies connect with and build trust with potential customers.

(In the interest of transparency, FurnacePrices.ca does earn a membership fee from some of these companies for referring quote requests and sharing their current heating & cooling deals and promotions (hey, writers, staff, and web hosting aren’t cheap!) but we don’t earn a commission on sales, and all companies have to pass the certification regardless.)

Shop Local – Compare Quotes from Certified Local HVAC Contractors

This website was founded to create a truly Canadian source of information that homeowners can trust, and that will always be our #1 goal.

So, looking to upgrade your heating & cooling system? 

Get a free quote from one of our Certified Local Partners here.

And if not, no hard feelings! The information on this website is free for anyone to consult, and you’re welcome to deal with whichever heating & cooling contractor you wish. We’ll be happy as long as people keep finding our site useful and helpful!

Simon Bernath

Founder of FurnacePrices.ca

During his years of working closely with HVAC professionals, Simon has gotten a unique inside look at how the industry operates, allowing him to share this unique perspective to help Canadians make informed buying decisions when replacing their heating & cooling systems.

 

How energy efficient does your furnace really need to be? Obviously a more energy efficient furnace brand is generally better, but the most efficient units tend to cost considerably more. Is it worth it?

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Should you buy a high-efficiency furnace or central air conditioner? Is it worth the investment?

The answer is – it depends. In most cases, the answer is yes, especially if your current system is older than 15 years. But there are a few factors worth considering to determine how efficient of a new furnace or A/C you should purchase.

For our latest rankings of the best furnaces and air conditioners, see:

>> The Best Furnace Brands & Models

>> The Best Air Conditioners for Canadians

Here are 7 things to consider when determining what level of energy efficiency you need for brand furnaces:

 

1. Are you upgrading or replacing an older furnace brand system?

Older systems tended to be much less energy efficient, and their efficiency is likely to have worsened, at least somewhat, over time. A brand new high-efficiency gas furnace is likely to cut your heating bills a least a little, and possibly a lot… up to 35+ % in some cases.

So upgrading to a new furnace or central air conditioner can certainly be a good investment, especially if you need one anyway because your current one requires costly repairs or is giving you frequent problems.

So if you’re in the market for a new furnace brand or A/C, it’s pretty obvious that the higher the efficiency rating, the less gas or electricity it will consume, saving you money in the long-run and helping you recoup your investment. However the most energy-efficient, higher end models tend to cost a bit more, so the question is whether the extra upfront expense is worth it.

Just how efficient of a system do you really need?

 

2. How long do you plan on staying in your home using your furnace brand?

In general, it’s a good idea to opt for a more energy efficient system (at least 95% AFUE in the case of a furnace, and at least 16 SEER for an A/C). This will help not only while you remain in your home, but it’s also a good investment in the overall value of your home… just like installing high-end appliances in your kitchen after a remodeling, it never hurts to be able to show potential home buyers that you didn’t opt for the lowest quality items and finishes.

That being said, if you plan on moving in the next couple years, springing for the top-of-the-line unit and shelling out an extra $1000 – $2000+ for that extra few percent of energy efficiency is probably not absolutely necessary.

3. The law of diminishing returns

The top of the line units tend to cost quite a bit more, and may only offer relatively modest savings in long-term operating costs.

The difference in price between a 95% or 96% AFUE furnace and a 98% one may be several hundred dollars or more, but it will likely take years to make up that difference in energy savings, if ever.

And this may be even truer in the case of central air conditioners – given the temperate Canadian climate – it’s unlikely that a unit beyond 20 SEER will be a worthwhile investment. Leave those A/Cs models to the Floridians.

However! It’s important to note that the best furnace brand and A/C models often have many other benefits beyond their energy-efficiency. They may include features that help keep your home’s temperature more consistent, they may be quieter, more durable, and have better warranty coverage.

The point is simply that you shouldn’t make your buying decision based on the efficiency rating alone.

To summarize, we generally advise that you choose a higher-efficiency furnace or A/C (at least 95% AFUE for furnaces and at least 16 SEER for air conditioners), but there tends to be diminishing returns from a purely efficiency & operating cost standpoint.

4. Being more environmentally-friendly

Furthermore, more energy-efficient heating & cooling systems not only can save your pocket book, but they will also pollute less as they consume less natural gas or propane and use less electricity. This is obviously better for the environment, and hey, call me a hippie but that’s something worth considering too!

5. Carbon taxes

Speaking of the environment and your pocketbook, with the provincial and/or federal governments implementing a carbon tax, there is no better time to invest in more energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems to help further minimize your utility bills.

This is not meant to be an argument for or against the carbon tax (this isn’t the place for political discussions!), but it’s worth taking into account nonetheless.

6. Qualifying for rebates on different furnace brands

Another important consideration when it comes to choosing what furnace or A/C energy-efficiency rating suits your needs, is whether your new system will qualify for government and utility company rebates.

In areas where rebates are available, one of the primary requirements is usually that your new system must be high-efficiency, as that’s kind of the whole point of the rebates – to encourage people to opt for less wasteful appliances and home upgrades.

In most cases, you will have to purchase an ENERGY STAR®-rated model to qualify. Note there are often other criteria, so make sure you do your research ahead of time (see link above) and opt for an established local contractor that is registered to offer rebates.

7. Is your new furnace or air conditioner as efficient as advertised?

Believe it or not, in some cases the your brand new heating or cooling system’s efficiency may not be what you think it is.

For example, when most people think of a central air conditioner, they think of the large unit sitting outside their home. However, the air conditioning system is actually comprised of two major components – the condenser coil (the outside part) AND the evaporator coil, which actually sits indoors, above the furnace.

The evaporator coil (indoor part) basically absorbs heat from the air inside your home, which causes the refrigerant in the tubing to expand, at which point they are circulated to the outdoor unit where they release the heat, the gasses condense back into liquid form (hence the name ‘condenser unit’), and the cycle begins anew.

If this indoor coil is not correctly sized and matched to the outdoor unit, this can cause a number of problems over time, including lowering the efficiency rating.

It can also make your new air conditioner less effective, reduce its lifespan and cause technical issues, and potentially void your warranty.

This is why it’s important to be conscious of the fact that like with any contracting job, you often get what you pay for, so it’s not always advisable to go with the absolute lowest price you can find. If a price seems to good to be true, you might make up for it in other ways!

See: The Truth About Furnace & A/C Pricing

It’s also why it’s worth choosing a trusted and dependable heating & cooling contractor, like our Certified Partners (learn more about our certification program).

These are by no means the only good companies out there, but hey, we think they’re pretty good, and other customers seem to think so also!

Simon Bernath

Founder of FurnacePrices.ca

During his years of working closely with HVAC professionals, Simon has gotten a unique inside look at how the industry operates, allowing him to share this unique perspective to help Canadians make informed buying decisions when replacing their heating & cooling systems.