Calgary HVAC Repair and Emergency Service

This article provides Calgary homeowners with some great information about HVAC repairs and emergency service in the city, including where to turn for help, common furnace and air conditioning problems, troubleshooting issues, what to budget for repair costs, and how to find an HVAC technician you can rely on for regular and emergency services.

Average Hourly Rate for HVAC Service Call in Calgary: $75 – $150 per hour

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Calgary, like many cities in Alberta, can be frigid and blustery in winter and gorgeous and warm in summer. Home heating systems are necessary in Calgary because the temperatures can get so low, and while not all homes have cooling systems, most homeowners find the summers to be more manageable with an air conditioner.

One of the most important things you can do to help out your HVAC system is to maintain it properly. That means having it serviced regularly, knowing the symptoms of common problems, being able to fix minor issues, and knowing where to turn when you need professional help with a more major problem.

Today you’ll learn all about these things, along with how to find a great HVAC company, and what you can expect to pay for different repairs.

What to Look for in a Calgary Repair Contractor?

Nobody likes inviting strangers into their home, even if it’s somebody you’ve hired for HVAC services or repairs. Finding a trustworthy and reliable company can make you feel more at ease with the whole process, and the right technician will be available for whatever service you need, whenever you need it.

To take the hassle out of the process, we’ve created an independent HVAC contractor certification program to objectively vet HVAC companies around the country. You can use this program to find a dependable HVAC contractor in your Calgary neighbourhood. Here are some of the criteria we look for in HVAC companies:

• Community reputation
• Experience
• Length of time in business
• Technician training
• Accurate and transparent quotes
• Full range of services (including regular maintenance, repairs, and emergency service)
• Licensing, certification, and insurance

What to Expect When You Request HVAC Services?

Not every homeowner knows what to expect when they invite an HVAC technician into their home, and knowing how the process typically goes can give you some peace of mind.

First things first, when you realize you need maintenance or a repair, you’ll call the HVAC company you’ve chosen, and they’ll ask a bunch of questions to get an idea of the issue, your home, and the type of system. At the same time, they’ll likely schedule an appointment to come by.

When the HVAC technician arrives, he or she will inspect the unit, diagnose the problem, walk you through what’s happening and talk about possible solutions, and perform routine maintenance or fix the problem if possible. If a new part or special tools are required, you’ll be able to schedule a follow-up appointment.

If you’re dealing with an older system that needs to be upgraded, the technician should be able to help you size a new unit, and talk you through the different options in terms of styles, models, features, and efficiency ratings. At that time, you can probably schedule a follow-up appointment for the installation of the new unit.

Average Repair Costs for Major HVAC Components

There are many factors that can influence the cost of an HVAC repair, including where you live, the size of your home and system, the make and model of your furnace/air conditioner, and even the location of your heating or cooling unit.

Because these repairs can range from minor and inexpensive to major and costly, we’ve put together some average prices for common HVAC issues:

HVAC System Maintenance & Troubleshooting Common Issues

Every furnace and air conditioner has both major and minor components that can break or malfunction, or wear out over time from use or lack of maintenance.

To get the most from your heating or cooling system, watch for the symptoms of problems so you can get issues repaired quickly. This will prevent further damage that could be more costly to fix, and help prevent an HVAC emergency that leaves you without heat in winter or air conditioning in summer.

Note that you should ALWAYS hire a professional for any significant maintenance or troubleshooting, except for minor tasks like replacing your filter, or checking your thermostat. This is for informational purposes only.

Troubleshooting Common Air Conditioner Issues

Troubleshooting Common Furnace Issues

Repairing Versus Replacing an HVAC Unit

There will come a time when every homeowner has to choose between paying to repair an aging furnace or air conditioner versus upgrading to a new unit. This can be a tough decision, because both repairs and upgrades can be expensive. Luckily, we have a few tips that will help you make the right decision:

• Age of the unit: Furnaces and air conditioners generally last 15 to 20 years, so if your unit is 10-plus years, then it might be worthwhile to replace it, depending on the cost of the repair.
• Cost of the repair: Some repairs are cheaper than others, and if a major component is involved, you might want to replace the whole unit, especially if it’s an older system. A good rule of thumb is this: if a repair is going to cost more than 50 percent of a replacement, then an upgrade probably makes more sense.
• Warranty: Some HVAC manufacturers have excellent warranties that can last 20 years or longer, so always check your warranty terms before committing to a repair or replacement, because parts, labour, or the entire unit might be under warranty.

The HVAC Services Market in Calgary

To work in HVAC in Alberta, a technician must be a registered apprentice, certified journeyperson, or have certain recognized credentials. Beyond that, any homeowner who wants to install a new furnace or air conditioner must obtain the proper permits from the city.

Calgary is broken up into four quadrants, and each of those is divided up into different neighbourhoods. Aside from downtown Calgary, other popular neighbourhoods include Banff Trail in the Northwest, Shaganappi in the Southwest, McKenzie Towne in the Southeast, and Taradale in the Northeast.

Calgary is a large city, and that means there’s more competition for HVAC companies, which generally translates to cheaper prices for service and repairs.

Most homes in Calgary use natural gas furnaces to heat their homes, but some have electric furnaces, boilers, or heat pumps instead. For home cooling systems, most homeowners have central air, but there are also residences that use heat pumps or ductless systems instead.

Fortunately, Calgary is relatively dry year-round, and this makes it easier and more affordable to keep your house at the right temperature. At the same time, it can mean your house gets particularly dry in winter, so many homes benefit from having a humidifying system as well.

Available HVAC Maintenance, Repairs, and Services in Calgary

Calgary HVAC technicians require lots of training, so most of them can provide a wide range of services, from annual maintenance to regular repairs to emergency services around the clock. Here are some of the issues that technicians can address and repairs they can perform:

• Annual or regular preventative maintenance
• Sales and installation
• Diagnosing problems and repairing furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, water heaters, and ventilation systems
• Installing thermostats and adjusting settings for optimal performance and efficiency
• Troubleshooting problems
• Repairing and replacing minor and major furnace and air conditioner parts
• Cleaning/changing furnace and air conditioner filters
• Heating and cooling system tune-ups
• Walking you through choosing the right unit for an upgrade

Major Brands and Products in Calgary

There are thousands of HVAC manufacturers around the world, but did you know that many of the brands available on the market in Canada are actually from the same parent companies? Many manufacturers will have economy, mid-range, and premium brands to offer heating and cooling systems for different budgets and lifestyles. There are some brands that are more popular in Calgary than others, and some of the most common furnace and air conditioning brands in the city include:

• Carrier
• American Standard
• Napoleon
• Rheem
• Lennox
• Goodman
• Bryant
• Keeprite
• Trane