You can help your HVAC system with regular HVAC repairs and emergency service maintenance, and by knowing about common problems, learning to troubleshoot certain issues, understanding the cost of repairs and what components often breakdown, and being able to find a dependable HVAC contractor when you need service or maintenance.
Average Hourly Rate for HVAC Service Call in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax: $75 – $150 per hour
Having a reliable furnace and air conditioner is important in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax because the winters are cold and summers are hot.
Related Guides You May Find Helpful
- Buying a Furnace in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
- Buying a Central Air Conditioner in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
- Best HVAC Contractors in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
Our Recommended Emergency HVAC Service Providers in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
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Weather in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, and other cities in Durham Region is a lot like other places in the Greater Toronto Area: the winters are long and cold, and the summers are hot and humid.
The only way to stay comfortable throughout the year is to have a trustworthy HVAC system, and that means a reliable furnace and air conditioner that you maintain regularly.
Regular maintenance and service for your HVAC system will benefit you in a number of ways. For one, it means you’ll have heat to stay safe in winter and air conditioning to stay cool in summer.
Beyond that, regular maintenance could also save you a lot on additional repair costs, and on energy bills because a maintained system is an efficient system. And there’s no better feeling than sleeping comfortably at night—even when it’s 35 C or -35 C outside—while also saving money.
What to Look for in an Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, or Ajax Repair Contractor
Working in HVAC requires a lot of experience and specialized training, but to be successful, you also have to be personable, dependable, and fair. As you can imagine, sometimes it can be tough to find a contractor who meets all the criteria.
To make it easier for you to find a reputable local contractor, we created an independent HVAC contractor certification program that assesses technicians based on a number of factors.
For a contractor to meet our high standards, he or she must:
- Have a good reputation in the community
- Provide fair and transparent quotes
- Not have any ongoing disputes with customers
- Have a good deal of experience
- Be trained, licensed, and insured
- Provide excellent customer service
- Be available for customers when they need help
What to Expect When You Request HVAC Services
The first thing that will happen when you call an HVAC company for help is they’ll ask a series of questions to get an idea of what’s going on. For example, they’ll want to know if it’s a furnace or air conditioner, as well as details about the make and model.
They’ll also ask about what you need, such as regular maintenance or if there’s a problem with the unit. By the end of the call, you’ll have an appointment booked for an HVAC specialist to come to your home.
During the appointment, the technician will perform any necessary maintenance or repairs, and hopefully fix any problems you’re having. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, and the technician should keep you in the loop about what he or she is doing and why.
If a special replacement part is needed, the technician will probably have to come back to finish the repair when the part is available.
If your furnace or air conditioner is older, not very efficient, and in need of an expensive repair, the technician might talk to you about the possibility of replacing it. Next, we’ll talk about choosing between replacing and repairing.
Average Repair Costs for Major HVAC Components in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
It’s good to leave room in your budget for regular furnace and air conditioner maintenance, but how much should you set aside in case of repairs? The cost of service will depend largely on the component involved, and some are far cheaper than others to repair or replace.
For example, major parts like compressors and heat exchangers could run in the thousands of dollars. To help you budget for different problems, we’ve put together a list of average costs for the most common parts that require repairs or replacements.
| Furnace Or Air Conditioner | Part | Cost to repair/replace |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace | Annual inspection | $150 to $250 |
| Furnace | Thermostat, ignitor, or flame sensor | $80 to $300 |
| Furnace | Thermostat, ignitor, or flame sensor | $80 to $300 |
| Furnace | Burner or gas valve | $115 to $470 |
| Furnace | Thermostat, circuit board, or blower fan | $125 to $650 |
| Furnace | Motor or heat exchanger | $1,200 to $2,400 |
| Air Conditioner | Annual inspection | $200 to $300 |
| Air Conditioner | Fuses, circuit breaker, or condensate drain line flush | $75 to $290 |
| Air Conditioner | Refrigerant, drain pan, condenser fan, condensate pump, or circuit board | $100 to $750 |
| Air Conditioner | Fan motor or condenser coil | $400 to $2,900 |
| Air Conditioner | Compressor | $1,300 to $2,300 |
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HVAC System Maintenance & Troubleshooting Common Issues
Furnaces and air conditioners have major and minor components that can malfunction or break down. You should generally leave the major repairs to a trained and certified HVAC contractor, but there are some minor repairs you might be able to handle by yourself.
Here’s what to leave to the pros: if your furnace stops producing heat or stops blowing hot air, then call an HVAC contractor right away because there’s most likely a problem with the heat exchanger or blower motor. Similarly, if your air conditioner stops running, the problem is probably with the compressor, and this will need a professional.
And it goes without saying that you should let a professional deal with serious issues like your carbon monoxide alarm be triggered frequently or if you notice the smell of gas (rotten eggs).
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.
That being said, here are the symptoms and possible causes of some minor HVAC issues, as well as some troubleshooting steps you can take to repair the problem yourself and maybe save some money:
| HVAC System | Symptom | Cause | Troubleshooting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioner | The temperature in your house keeps fluctuating | Low refrigerant | Check refrigerant levels or for a refrigerant leak |
| Furnace | Unit is blowing cold air | Wrong thermostat setting | Change thermostat from On to Auto |
| Air conditioner | Water is leaking from the unit | Clogged drain line | Clean the clog from the drain line |
| Furnace and air conditioner | The air smells when the unit is running | Dirty filter | Clean or replace the filter |
| Furnace and air conditioner | The unit doesn’t heat/cool enough | Dirty filter | Clean or replace the filter |
| Air conditioner | Your power bills are too high and the unit isn't performing well | Dirty coils | Clean the coils |
| Furnace | The furnace comes on and shuts off too quickly | Dirty flame sensor | Clean the flame sensor |
| Furnace and air conditioner | The unit isn't keeping your house cool or warm enough | Thermostat | Check the thermostat temperature setting |
| Furnace and air conditioner | The unit isn't keeping your house cool or warm enough | Thermostat | Make sure the thermostat isn't being impacted by outside heat/cold sources |
Repairing Versus Replacing an HVAC Unit
Furnaces and air conditioners can last upwards of two decades, but they all do have to be replaced at some point. In general, you can expect a furnace or air conditioner to last about 15 to 20 years, but as it gets older it might start needing more frequent maintenance and repairs.
Eventually you’ll come to a point where you’ll have to decide if you want to spend the money on another repair, or if it makes more financial sense to buy a new unit.
Here are some things to consider that will help you make the right choice:
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Age | A unit that’s less than 10 years old | A unit that’s 10 to 15 years or older |
| Efficiency | A newer high-efficiency furnace or air conditioner | A unit that’s older, inefficient, and wastes fuel and money |
| Repair cost | If the repair will cost less than 50 percent of a replacement unit | If the repair will cost more than 50 percent of a replacement unit |
| Warranty | A unit that’s under warranty | A unit that has a unit replacement warranty, or that is no longer under warranty, and it’s older and less efficient |
The HVAC Services Market in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
Ontario HVAC technicians must go through an apprenticeship program to learn the trade, and if they want to work on their own in the field, they must complete a Certificate of Qualification after the apprenticeship. Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, nor Ajax require any special licenses or permits beyond that.
These four cities are among the largest in Durham Region, and they have a combined population of about half a million people. Each of the cities is divided into individual neighbourhoods, like Clover Ridge in Ajax, Donevan in Oshawa, Whitby Shores in Whitby, and Nautical Village in Pickering.
When you need HVAC repairs and maintenance in Durham, there are several companies you can choose from, and that means more competitive prices for homeowners. This is compared to more rural places outside the metropolitan area, because if there was only one HVAC company servicing a large area, they could charge higher prices.
Most homes in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax are heated with gas furnaces, though there are some that have propane furnaces, electric heat, or boiler systems.
Similarly, most homes have central air conditioners to keep cool in summer, but there are also some that use heat pumps or ductless systems, especially if they’re heated with a boiler and radiators.
Available HVAC Maintenance, Repairs, and Services in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
The right HVAC company will offer a wide range of services, from sales and installation to annual maintenance and tune-ups to repairs and part replacements.
Any time you call a contractor, he or she should be able to perform regular maintenance, diagnose and troubleshoot problems, and come in for emergency service when you have an unexpected breakdown.
Plus, technicians are trained in all HVAC systems, including:
- Forced air furnaces
- Central air conditioners
- Hydronic heating systems, boilers and combi boilers
- Mini-split systems and heat pumps
- Ventilation and ductwork
- Hot water heaters
Major Brands and Products in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax
Many HVAC contractors carry a selection of furnaces and air conditioners from a number of different manufacturers, including ones from Canada, the United States, Japan, Germany, and beyond.
However, there are some brands that are more popular in Canada than others, so when it’s time to buy a new furnace or air conditioner, you’ll likely encounter names like:
- American Standard
- Comfortmaker
- Amana
- Bryant
- Napoleon
- Keeprite
- Trane
- Goodman
- Rheem
- Lennox
- Carrier
