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Furnace & Heating FAQs

Everything You Wanted to Know about Buying or Renting a New Furnace, the Best Furnace Brands and More.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a furnace. With our wide range of world-class brands that include, SmartAir™, Carrier ®, and Trane, it can be overwhelming to choose a furnace that best fits your needs. One of our Home Comfort™ Advisor can provide you with that peace of mind and help you find the right heating solution for your home and budget.

Book an in-home consultation with us today

We have special promotions and offers throughout the year to provide you the comfort you need at home. Go to our main offers page to check out current promotions. You can also stay up-to-date by signing up for our newsletter.

Reliance Home Comfort® Advisor can provide you that peace of mind and help find the right heating solution for your home.

Book an in-home consultation with us today

Many mail-in rebates and grants are available right now, from the Canada Greener Homes Grant to smaller provincial and city-level ones. Be sure to visit our Rebates page to find out what is available in your area. A Reliance® Home Comfort Advisor can help explain the process, so you understand how your furnace selection could help you qualify for these rebates and incentives.

The professional installation of a furnace is just as important as choosing the right equipment based on how complex modern heating and cooling systems can be. Proper airflow, venting and equipment setup can lead to safer and long-lasting equipment. To ensure your furnace is installed correctly and running efficiently, it’s vital to get an expert’s help, as improperly installed furnaces could create short-term and long-term problems.

Still have questions? Call us today at 1-888-837-1451.

Shopping for a heating system can be overwhelming, and with the different types and functions, it’s important you make the right decision. An excellent first step is to consult with one of our Home Comfort Advisors, who can provide recommendations based on your house’s structure and your particular needs.

Purchasing a new furnace is a big commitment. Consider a few of these key factors before making the decision:

  • You pay a higher upfront cost
  • A furnace can increase the value of your home
  • You are responsible for any maintenance and repairs, so consider a comprehensive Protection Plan

Read our article on the 10 things to keep in mind when buying a furnace.

Book an in-home consultation with us today.

A traditional furnace is either on or off, which causes the furnace to run for very short periods on milder days, and your home’s temperature to fluctuate more often throughout the day. A modulating furnace has the ability to modulate or change the amount of heat it produces based on how much heat is needed. This allows the furnace to provide a lower amount of heat over a much longer period, which helps to maintain an even temperature inside your home on milder days.

A modulating furnace may also be more energy efficient, quieter and provide you more comfort with its unique incremental settings.

Have more questions about furnaces? Call us today at 1-888-837-1451

Many homeowners prefer not to own their heating solution. By renting a furnace you can enjoy the following Reliance Home Comfort benefits hassle-free with year-round peace of mind:

  • We take care of ongoing maintenance and repair costs*
  • Depending on your home’s structure, venting and other factors that determine installation requirements, you may not need to pay upfront costs*
  • One low monthly rental payment will make it easier to budget for home expenses

Learn more on whether you should rent or buy a furnace.

A unit that runs efficiently can also help save money on energy bills. Try these tips to help your furnace run at its most efficient level:

  • Keep your thermostat at a constant temperature
  • Change or clean air filters on a regular basis
  • Vacuum dirt and debris off the unit
  • Get a professional technician to service your unit annually

You can also read about our 5 furnace room safety tips.

Our federal government requires all heating equipment to be rated based on efficiency1 . The higher the rating, the more efficient the model. AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is a measurement for furnaces, and it tells you how much of the fuel your furnace uses will go to heating your home and how much could be wasted.

It’s recommended to have your heating system serviced on an annual basis. This will help keep the unit working more efficiently and could help to extend the life of the entire system. Take a look at our furnace maintenance offers to find out more!

Book an in-home consultation with us today.

It’s preventive maintenance that helps keep your equipment in good condition. A preventative maintenance check also ensures that your furnace is operating at its peak efficiency. Talk to our Home Comfort Advisor to learn which package works for your needs.

Time for a maintenance check? Schedule one today

Book an in-home consultation with us today.

Your air filter may be located in the blower compartment of your furnace, in an attached filter case or in wall-mounted return air grille. If you’re having trouble locating your air filter, please contact Reliance™ for assistance.

A good air filter could help improve your home’s air quality2 . It’s important to be aware of different factors when it comes to filters, such as size, price and MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). This rating is based on how good the filter is at catching dust particles – a rating of 1 means the poorest and 16 the best. The highest MERV rating is not always the best for your furnace, and having a too-restrictive filter can put additional strain on your furnace. Speak with one of our Home Comfort Advisors about finding an air filter that works for your furnace and home.

You should check your filters regularly and replace them as needed or when the manufacturer recommends. Here’s a handy video showing you how to do it!

Heat pump technology has been around for decades in Canada! Heat Pumps absorb energy from outside the home and transfer it into the home to provide heating. Heat pumps are like an air conditioner that can also run backwards to heat your home as well as cool it.

*Subject to standard rental Terms and Conditions. Charges may apply for additional installation work required (e.g. code-required venting).

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