If you’re looking to stay warm in Québec City this winter and your furnace is not up to scratch, then check out this informative guide to buying a new high-efficiency furnace. Specifically written with Québec City in mind, the information contained within this guide should help make buying a new high-efficiency furnace as simple as possible.
We’ve packed it full of research and information to save you the time and effort and to ensure that you make the right choice when investing in a brand-new or upgraded furnace.
Hydro Quebec vs Natural Gas Heating
Thanks to Quebec’s abundant hydroelectric power production, heating homes with electricity is a more financially viable option than in Ontario for example. That being said, natural gas infrastructure is still available, and some rural homes may use propane furnaces.
So although many parts of Quebec use primarily electric heating like baseboard radiators, there are many modern homes and older homes that have been retrofitted to use natural gas. This guide is geared to homeowners who have or are looking to heat their home with forced-air furnaces.
Québec City by the Numbers
Population: 531,900
Average Temp. (Summer): 17.7 degrees Celsius
Average Temp. (Winter): -10.8 degrees Celsius
Top Furnace Brands by Price Level in Quebec City (including installation)
Entry level – $3,000 + Goodman, KeepRite, Armstrong, Daikin
Mid Tier – $3,500 + Amana, Trane, Napoleon, York, American Standard, Rheem, Bryant, Heil
Premium – $4,500 + Carrier, Lennox, Luxaire
Furnace Types – Single Stage vs Two stage vs Modulating
Single Stage
A single stage furnace has one mode of operation. When your thermostat instructs your furnace to kick in to heat your home to the desired temperature, a single-stage furnace will move from “off” to “full power.”
This is the most basic type of furnace, and although some manufacturers have managed to produce high-efficiency single-stage models, there’s still the problem of temperature swings in the home from the unit turning on and off.
Two-stage
A two-stage furnace adds another mode of operation by allowing for “high-fire” and “low-fire” modes. This means your furnace has the ability to run on its lower settings during the cooler days, ensuring a constant temperature is maintained in the home without the temperature swings of a single-stage unit. Being able to function like this also saves on your monthly fuel costs, as the furnace will only work at full power when it is necessary.
Modulating
A modulating unit takes the idea of the two-stage furnace and builds on it by allowing your furnace to move at small increments through its heating power – usually between 40-100% of the heating power of the unit.
This allows for a more precise heating of your home and reduces temperature swings. It’s also a more efficient type of unit compared to single-stage and dual-stage models, especially on milder days when full heating output is not needed.
However, you’ll be paying a higher up-front cost for a modulating unit, although you’ll find you’ll save money on your monthly bills.
What do the numbers mean?
AFUE Rating
One of the first things you will notice when shopping for a new high-efficiency furnace is the AFUE rating of various units. The AFUE rating shows how energy efficient your unit will be if you pick the correct BTU size for your home (more on that next). Basically, the higher the AFUE rating, the more money you’ll save on your monthly energy bills! This is because the number corresponds directly to how many cents in every dollar you’ll be spending on energy bills.
BTU Rating
Purchasing the right BTU rating is crucial to ensuring that your furnace is as efficient as possible and provides the most comfortable warming experience for your home. Most furnaces come with a number of different models with different BTU ratings, and the higher the BTU, the more suited it is for a bigger house.
In colder climates like Quebec City, a slightly higher BTU unit is usually a good investment, especially if your home is somewhat older and not as well insulated.
We recommend talking to a certified HVAC technician to make sure that you choose the right BTU size furnace for your needs. Too big or too small can result in more money on your monthly bills and an uneven or inadequate heating of your home!
Current Furnace Deals, Offers & Promotions in Québec City
Government Rebates in Québec City
If you’re eligible, the Rénoclimat program in Québec City offers financial assistance to those that are looking to make their home more energy efficient.
• Low-income households may be eligible for financial support and rebates through Energir.
• Rebates are available from Energir on the purchase of a new programmable thermostat, and a grant is offered for the purchase of a smart thermostat.
• Financial assistance is also available for Novoclimat homeowners
Popular Furnace Brands in Québec City
If you’re not sure where to start looking when it comes to choosing a high-efficiency furnace, check out this list of brands that are currently popular in Québec City
• Amana
• American Standard
• Bryant
• Carrier
• Comfortmaker
• KeepRite
• Lennox
• Napoleon
• Tempstar
• Trane
Furnace Prices in Québec City
The average cost of a furnace (including installation) in Québec City is
$3000 – $5000
This figure depends on the manufacturer and model of furnace you choose, and the contractor you use for installation.
Financing Options in Québec City
If you’re concerned about the cost of purchasing a new high-efficiency furnace outright, then there are still options available to you. For example, many people decide to finance their new furnace with affordable monthly payments. Make sure to look out for manufacturers offering financing deals – this can help you keep the interest rates on your purchase down.
General City Information
One of Canada’s oldest settlements and featuring a proud French-Canadian core, Québec City is known for its unique atmosphere and intriguing historical background. The Old Town is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, and visitors flock from around the globe to visit. With a distinct four-season climate, Québec City features a hot summer but a cold winter with lots of snow. Also, if you’re looking for impressive architecture, Québec City is the place to be, and also boasts a school of architecture through the Université Laval. Featuring a unique culture and atmosphere, many visitors also make trips to Québec City to enjoy the festivals that take place, such as the Winter Carnival and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations.
