Enercare HVAC Services Review & Buying Guide

Enercare HVAC provides HVAC services, including heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical work, and water heating and treatment. But do they fit your specific needs?

In this article, we will review Enercare offerings, products, pricing, and customer feedback so you can decide whether Enercare is the right choice for your home.

About Enercare

Enercare has been operating since 1959 in Ontario. Over the years, they’ve grown considerably, now serving more than 1.1 million Canadians.

The company offers purchasing and rental options for HVAC systems, but their rental solutions have gained significant traction. Their Enercare Advantage™ allows customers to rent HVAC units with the added benefit of free maintenance and repairs for a lifetime.

However, the cumulative cost over time can significantly surpass the original price if you rent an HVAC unit.

Enercare has expanded its offerings to include modern solutions like Generac generators and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

Enercare vs. Local HVAC Companies

Enercare primarily markets its rental solutions, which involve a different approach than traditional full-service HVAC contractors.

While Enercare’s staff are knowledgeable, they might offer a different level of specialized service than local contractors focusing solely on HVAC solutions.

Enercare HVAC Installation Reviews

Customer feedback on Enercare’s HVAC installation services reveals a range of experiences. Some of them are listed below:

Positive Feedback:

• Prompt Service: The responsiveness and efficiency of Enercare’s service are often highlighted. Technicians and customer service representatives have been praised for swiftly resolving issues and offering valuable maintenance advice.
• No Maintenance Fees on Rental Units: A significant advantage noted by customers is the inclusion of maintenance fees in the Enercare Advantage program.

Negative Experiences:

• Contractual and Pricing Concerns: Some complaints revolve around the difficulties in exiting rental agreements, with customers locked into contracts with high buyout costs. Erroneous billing for non-existent services has also been reported.
• Installation Quality and Consistency: There are reports of subpar installations leading to issues like gas leaks. These problems are partially attributed to Enercare’s outsourcing to third parties, which results in inconsistent service quality.
• Inherited Agreements: Some customers have faced challenges with inherited rental agreements upon purchasing a property, leading to unexpected financial obligations.

What Products Does Enercare Offer?

Enercare offers a comprehensive range of heating and cooling products. Below are their HVAC options:

Furnaces

• Single-Stage Motor
• Multi-Stage Motor
• Variable-Stage Motor

Boilers

• Conventional Boiler
• High-Efficiency System Boiler
• Combination Boiler

Fireplaces

• Gas Fireplace
• Electric Fireplace

Air Conditioners

• Enercare Smarter AC™
• Ductless ACs

Heat Pumps

• Central/Hybrid System
• Single-Zone Ductless
• Multi-Zone Ductless

Water Heaters

• Tank-Based Water Heater
• Tankless Water Heater

All these products are available for rent with the flexibility to buy out the unit a few years later.

What Brands Does Enercare Sell?

Enercare’s selection of water heaters comes from several manufacturers, such as:

• GSW
• Rheem
• Bradford White
• Radiant

Regarding furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and air conditioners, Enercare is known to provide Lennox products, among others. For detailed information on brands, customers will have to contact Enercare directly.

What Services Does Enercare Offer?

Enercare provides various installation, maintenance, and repair services for home heating and cooling systems, each with specific plans and pricing.

Maintenance Plans

• Furnace Maintenance Plan: Available at $9.99/month + HST.
• Boiler Maintenance Plan: Available at $12.99/month + HST.
• Fireplace Maintenance Plan: Available at $10.99/month + HST.

Note: Air filters are not included in any of these plans.

Repair Options

• One-time Repair Service Call:
  • Boiler service visit: $99 (+HST).
  • Furnace diagnostic: $0*.
  • Air conditioner diagnostic: $99 (+HST).
  • Water heater service call at $99 (+HST).
• Heating Repair & Protection Plan:
  • Immediate boiler repair for $179 plus a protection plan starting at $28.99/month*.
  • Furnace protection plan starting at $24.99/month.
  • Air conditioning repair and protection plan starting at $24.99/month.

Enercare HVAC Price Guide

The price of a new HVAC system depends on energy efficiency, air quality features, comfort options, and personal preferences like extended warranties and service plans.

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for Enercare HVAC products:

How Much Does a Furnace Cost at Enercare?

A furnace at Enercare typically ranges from $5,000 to $7,000+. This price includes standard installation and comes with a 1-year warranty. Opting for an extended warranty may incur additional costs.

Enercare offers different rental options for heat pumps:

• Enercare Advantage™ Rental: Monthly rates range from $80 to $156.
• Enercare Smarter Advantage™ Rental: Starts from $106 per month + HST. (including a smart thermostat and HVAC performance monitoring)

Read more: Furnace Rental Buyer’s Guide & Prices

A standard high-efficiency boiler using natural gas or propane typically costs $6,500+.

How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost at Enercare?

The pricing for heat pumps at Enercare varies based on the type:

• Central Heat Pump: Costs around $10,000 – $20,000, including standard installation. The starting rental rate for this option is approximately $200 per month.
• Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: Priced at about $7,000 – $12,000, including standard installation, with a monthly starting rental rate of $80.

How Much Does an Air Conditioner Cost at Enercare?

The cost of air conditioners at Enercare ranges from $4,000 to $6,500+, which includes standard installation and a 1-year warranty.

• Rental with Enercare Advantage™: Starts from $82 per month.
• Rental with Enercare Smarter Advantage™: Begins at $94 per month. (includes a smart thermostat, HVAC performance monitoring, and the promise of same-day service.)

All Enercare rental payments can be paid online through your banking institutions.

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The Process of Buying HVAC at Enercare

Here’s a step-by-step guide to buying HVAC at Enercare:

Step 1: Schedule a Free In-Home Assessment

Contact Enercare to set up an appointment. This can be done via phone or by filling out an online form.

Prepare any questions or concerns about your current system or the installation process.

Step 2: Home Assessment and Recommendations

An Energy Management Consultant (EMC) from Enercare will thoroughly assess your home.

Ask about the efficiency, capacity, and type of systems that would best suit your home. Inquire about warranty, service plans, and potential energy savings.

Step 3: Pre-Installation Process

The EMC will take care of necessary permits and perform a final inspection before installation.

Verify that all required permits are obtained to ensure compliance with local regulations. Confirm the installation charges and schedule and what it entails, including how long it will take and any preparations you need to make.

Is Financing Available at Enercare?

Enercare Inc. has rolled out a financing plan for residential customers to facilitate the purchase of energy-efficient home comfort equipment.

Key features of the Enercare Finance Plan include:

• Onsite and immediate credit approvals
• The ability to compare financial options in real time
• Payment terms of up to 180 months
• Deferral possibilities of up to a year
• An open-ended contract that allows for early repayment

In addition to the financing plan, Enercare customers can take advantage of various rebates:

• The Clean Home Heating Initiative offers up to $4,500 for installing an air-source heat pump with smart controls for Enbridge Gas customers in select areas.
• The Canada Greener Homes Grant allows non-Enbridge Gas customers to receive up to $5,600, including a $600 rebate for an energy audit.
• The Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) Plus provides up to $10,600 for Enbridge Gas customers, requiring an energy audit.

Enercare HVAC Installation and Repair Warranty

Enercare’s warranty policy is largely based on the manufacturer’s terms during the warranty period. The manufacturer bears responsibility for any issues that fall under their warranty.

Enercare handles the installation and repairs; they do not manufacture the parts and, therefore, do not extend any guarantees beyond those offered by the original manufacturers, except for the services outlined in their Protection Plan.

However, If a new air conditioner or furnace has a major component failure within five years, they commit to replacing the unit and renewing a 5-year warranty.

If a customer’s plan has expired, Enercare provides a 90-day warranty on parts and labor following the repair date.

Pros for Selecting Enercare HVAC Services

Enercare HVAC services come with several advantages that can be particularly appealing to a range of customers across Canada.

• Extensive Rental Options: Enercare is a leader in providing rental HVAC solutions, offering furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and air conditioners for rent throughout Canada.
• No Upfront Costs: Renting from Enercare means customers can avoid large upfront expenses typically associated with purchasing HVAC systems.
• Affordable Monthly Rates: While the monthly rent is low, it’s important to note that over time, the total cost may significantly exceed the purchase price of the equipment.

Cons for Selecting Enercare HVAC Services

While Enercare offers several benefits, there are also potential drawbacks that customers have experienced, which are important to consider.

• Cancellation and Buyout Fees: Exiting a rental agreement with Enercare can be costly due to high cancellation and buyout fees. It can lock customers into long-term commitments.
• Maintenance Service Variability: Some customers report dissatisfaction with maintenance and repair services, likely due to the variability of experiences with third-party contractors.
• Limited Damage Coverage: Enercare’s plans do not extend to damage caused by leaking water heater tanks.
• Excluded Air Filter Maintenance: Enercare’s plans do not cover air filter maintenance.

What Are the Best Enercare Alternatives?

Renting HVAC appliances is particularly common in Ontario, but according to the Competition Bureau, purchasing equipment could lead to significant long-term savings.

For those considering buying their HVAC system outright, finding trusted local contractors, like those in FurnacePrices.ca‘s Certification program is an alternative you might consider. We’ve vetted high quality local providers so you can get free, no-obligation estimates from local HVAC professionals rated highly for their service (averaging 4.8+).

These contractors are vetted for reliability and certified to offer rebates and provide full warranty protection.

Reliance might be a suitable option if you’re looking for an alternative protection plan. Reliance’s plans are generally more basic and may come at a lower cost. Enercare, on the other hand, tends to have higher rates but offers sign-up incentives with their plans.

See our reviews of other providers like Costco and Home Depot, which both work with third-party contractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How soon are you looking to buy?*

Urgently!

Next few weeks

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