The 2024 Ultimate Furnace Guide

Updated August 2024

Buying a new heating system — Where to start?

The process of finding the right heating equipment for your home can often feel like an overwhelming task. There are a variety of options to consider and, depending on the needs of your home, there are different features available to customize your equipment for optimal comfort.

To help you navigate through this complex buying or renting decision, below are some details about the various options and answers to common questions about home heating.

Select heating system type:

Furnaces — what to know

To tailor a solution to your home, we recommend having a trained professional assess your needs and recommend what is best for you and your home. Learn more about booking an expert in-home consultation here.

Different Furnace Types

There are three main types of furnaces: single stage, 2-stage and modulating furnaces. All three types of furnaces are great options for heating your home. Finding the right one for you comes down to your home, budget, and desired level of efficiency.

Single Stage Furnace:

Single stage furnaces are the most basic and commonly installed type of furnaces. This type of furnace only has one d setting. When on, your furnace operates at the maximum flame setting—there is no middle ground between the system being on or off.

This type of furnace often comes at a lower up-front cost but is not the most efficient option.

Two-Stage Furnace:

Two-stage furnaces have two different settings when your furnace is on, a high setting as well medium intensity setting to deliver a wider range of operation. This type of furnace can help to give you more temperature control in your home.

The furnaces are more expensive than the single stage options but are generally more energy efficient as there are different levels of heating available.

Modulating Furnace:

Modulating furnaces offer an advanced type of heating technology that delivers more even heating throughout your home. With a modulating furnace, the flame increases and decreases in finer increments to help maintain your home’s temperature. This reduces temperature fluctuations and helps meet your comfort needs more precisely.

Modulating furnaces are the most expensive to purchase upfront but will deliver consistent heating most efficiently.

Technology Found in Today’s Furnaces

New furnaces have a variety of advanced features to help reach optimal comfort and ensure maximum efficiency. Here are a few of the new technologies found in today’s furnaces:

Condensing Technology:

In a condensing furnace, the exhaust is moved through an additional (secondary) heat exchanger. More heat is extracted from the exhaust gasses and transferred safely through the home. This additional heat recovery allows for increased fuel efficiency.

Electronically Commutated Motors (ECM)

An Electronically Commuted Motor (ECM) is a motor technology in forced air heating applications that works to reduce the electrical consumption of the furnace motor. This technology can reduce your furnace’s electrical consumption by as much as 60% over a standard motor. These motors work with the furnace, adjusting speed to provide adequate air flow. Less electrical consumption results in a reduction of air noise in your home.

Electronic Ignition

Modern furnaces come with electronic ignition, which is a technological advancement replacing the pilot light system. With electronic ignition, fuel is only used when it is time to start the furnace. In older technology, a pilot light would use a small amount of fuel continuously, resulting in additional energy consumption.

Intelligent Digital Electronics and Wi-Fi

New furnaces have a digital integrated control board that control all the functions related to the heating/cooling operations in your home. It controls the gas valve, the igniter, the flame sensing circuit and blower fan. The control board also communicates with standard thermostats, smart learning thermostats, air conditioners and humidifiers.

Different Fueling Options

Before you purchase a new furnace, consider which fuels are available in your area.  You should review advantages and disadvantages of your available energy sources.

How a Gas Furnace Works

1. Set your thermostat to a desired temperature, or program a temperature schedule.
2. The thermostat sensor monitors the temperature, and when needed, calls on the furnace for heat.
3. The furnace control board switches on the induced draft motor.
4. A pressure switch senses a pressure change and the igniter is activated.
5. The fuel is released to the burners.
6. Burners ignite in sequence, warming the heat exchanger(s).
7. A flame sensor allows fuel flow to continue as long as it is burning.
8. The blower fan moves heat into the ducts.
9. Air flow is monitored by limit switches.
10. The thermostat signals that it is satisfied and the control board shuts off the gas.

Heat Pumps and Boilers

Depending on your home, budget and desired level of efficiency, a furnace may not always be the right option for heating your home. There are many great alternative options available.

Getting Your New Furnace

Beyond selecting the right furnace type for you and your family, there are several other things to consider to ensure your unit is the right choice for your home and budget. Here is some information about furnace financing options, installation and accessories.

Should I rent or buy my new furnace?

One of the most important decisions when upgrading your heating equipment is choosing whether to rent or buy your system. Before making the decision, you will want to determine the equipment you are having installed, the total cost of ownership and the cost and effort of maintenance.

Renting and buying are both viable options, and making the right decision really comes down to your needs, time and budget. To help you evaluate the two options, here are a few things to consider

Should I Buy My Furnace and Air Conditioner Together?

Your furnace plays and essential role in keeping your home warm as well as running your air conditioner in the summer. When it comes time to replace your furnace, consider upgrading your AC at the same time to help ensure you are getting the most out of your investment.

Benefits of replacing your air conditioner and furnace at the same time:

Energy Efficiency

Anytime you upgrade outdated equipment you could be investing in a more efficient system. Replacing both your furnace and air conditioner at the same time will help you maximize your energy savings.

Equipment performance

Since your furnace and air conditioner work together, replacing just one piece could prevent the newer piece of equipment from reaching its potential performance.

Potential savings

Furnace and air conditioners are often sold together, so if you decide to upgrade both there may be deals or discounts available. Having both pieces of equipment installed at the same time may also result in cheaper labour and installation costs.

Installing a New Furnace

The key to having a great heating system starts with a good installation. Here are a few of the frequently asked questions about having your furnace installed.

Can I install a furnace myself?

Even if you are a handy person, installing something as complex as a new home heating or cooling system is not a good idea. A professional technician brings experience and updated knowledge of code requirements, modern electronics and new technologies. Unless you are a certified HVAC technician, a self-installed furnace could lead to a poorly operating, unsafe system.

What makes a good furnace installer?

• Good installers properly assess your needs: A reputable installer does not just take out the old furnace and put in a new, same size furnace without confirming if it is the right fit for you and your home. A professional HVAC team will take time with you and discuss your changing needs and preferences, advances in efficiencies, the size of your home, insulation and windows, sunlight exposure and other home systems.
• Good installers recommend the right configuration, size and model for your situation: An incorrectly sized furnace may wear out more quickly and could be less efficient. Oversized furnaces turn off and on frequently, which may lead to higher operating cost and shorter equipment life. On the other hand, if the furnace is too small, it may not properly heat your home.
• Good installers know what to ask about your comfort preferences: A professional team will know how to conduct a heat-loss calculation that results in accurate sizing of your system. They are also familiar with new technologies, leading brands, models and add-ons. Some brands or models offer features that are just right for your home and changing needs.

How long does a furnace installation take?

Depending on the system that you are having installed, a furnace installation can take anywhere from a half-day to a full day to be properly installed. This includes the installation, testing and clean up.

What should I expect during the installation?

Most furnace installations will be done by two professionally trained technicians. A good installation team will come on time and prepared with all the parts necessary to get the job done. The technicians should also be wearing booties over their shoes to protect your home, rolling out additional carpet and floor protection where needed.

The furnace installation itself can take a few hours and once it has been installed, the team will fire it up and conduct tests to make sure it is working properly and in sync with your other systems. Then they clean up completely, removing the old furnace, all parts and packaging.

How should I prepare for a furnace inspection?

Before the installation, you should ensure the furnace room and any other work areas are clean, clutter-free and well lit. For everyone’s safety, keep children and pets away from the work area.

Thermostats

Basic Non-Programmable

Basic Non-Programmable thermostats are economical and simple to control but the temperature in your home will only be adjusted when you manually change the settings of the thermostat.

Pros:

• Affordable

Cons:

• Temperature must be changed manually

Programmable

Programmable thermostats can help save on heating and cooling costs by adjusting the temperature inside of your home automatically throughout the day. These thermostats are very easy to operate and can be set to meet your changing needs – such for a work week vs. weekend. Advanced models of these types of thermostats can even switch between heating and cooling during seasons like spring and fall where you may need both.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Most models allow for multiple settings

Cons:

• Not suitable for all systems

Smart Wi-Fi Thermostats

One of the newer trends in smart home technology are smart thermostats that you can control from your computer or smartphone. These thermostats learn, remember and adjust to how, when and where you use your system. They can help you to save on your energy consumption by adjusting the temperature only when it knows you need it.

Pros

• Energy-efficient and convenient
• Remote access to change temperature via your smartphone
• Greater control of your heating and cooling could mean lower energy usage and money saved

Cons:

• More expensive than traditional thermostats
• Not every smart Wi-Fi thermostat works with every heating and cooling system

Communicating Wi-Fi Thermostats

Beyond being able to control your home’s heating from your smartphone, communicating Wi-Fi thermostats can also communicate directly with your furnace. This feature means your thermostat can receive warnings and error codes from your furnace and ensure everything stays running smoothly. They also allow the equipment to operate at its peak efficiency and to modulate its output.

Pros:

• Energy efficient
• Allows your equipment to operate at its peak efficiency
• Remote access to change temperature via your smartphone

Cons:

• More expensive than traditional thermostats

Humidifiers

Do I need a furnace humidifier?

Canadians spend about 90% of their time indoors on average. Winter poses a particular challenge because when air is heated, its relative humidity drops. Low humidity makes your home feel colder, which can lead you to turning up the heat, increasing your heating bill, causing more discomfort. A humidifier helps add humidity in the air in your home, in turn, increasing your comfort and making you feel warmer.

Whole home humidifiers

Whole home humidifiers work in conjunction with your heating and cooling system to increase humidity throughout your house.

Here are some of the advantages of whole home humidifiers:

• Precise humidity control: Whole home humidifiers have a control to monitor humidity levels and add moisture when required to improve indoor air quality
• Simple to maintain: It only needs cleaning once or twice a year and is connected directly to your home’s water supply so that you do not have to fill its reservoir
• Increased home value: Contemporary HVAC systems, including whole home humidifiers, may increase your home’s value

Furnace Filters

Air filters remove dust and allergens from the air inside your home, contributing to improved air quality for you and your family. In addition, filters help to stop dirt and dust from entering your equipment. When dirt gets into your system, this may make your equipment less efficient, and work harder than it has to. This can affect the expected life of the appliance, increase maintenance costs, and the chances of failure.

When it comes to selecting an air filter, there are a range of options varying in quality and price. Generally, the higher the MERV rating, the more effectively the air filter. Here are a few of the options you can consider when upgrading your furnace filters:

Fiberglass air filters (MERV 1-4): Fiberglass air filters have thin flat surfaces that capture about 20% of pollutants ranging from 3 to 10 microns, removing mainly larger particles like dust, lint and small insects. Fiberglass air filters help protect equipment but are less effective for indoor air quality. These filters should be replaced every month.  These filters may not provide adequate protection for today’s higher efficiency equipment

 Electrostatic air filters (MERV 6-8): Disposable electrostatic filters use self-charging electrostatic cotton or paper fibers to attract and trap small particles. They can be appropriate for homes with children, pets or smokers. You should replace them approximately every three months.

Pleated air filters (MERV 6-13): Pleated filters are popular because they capture between 70% and 90% of the airborne pollutants between 3 and 10 microns. They are made from polyester or cotton. Pleated filters should be replaced approximately every three months or as needed.

High-efficiency air filters (MERV 9-16): Some are 4”-5” pleated synthetic cotton framed by a rigid metal grid. They can trap up to 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns, tiny dust particles, mold, and pollen. The lifespan of these filters can vary so be sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations or change as needed.

Are you ready for the heating season? A Canadian winter can come in a flash, and you want to make sure that you and your home are ready for the cold before the temperature drops. Just like you don’t wait for your car to stop running before you change the oil, you should not wait for your furnace to break down before you have it inspected. Especially as your furnace ages, some parts become worn or dirty over time such as pilot lights, belts, motor bearings, and the burner assembly. You want to make sure that your furnace is maintained regularly to help avoid a costly breakdown during the winter.

Why should I have my furnace maintained?

1. In the middle of a cold winter day is the worst time for your furnace to stop working, you want to make sure any issues are identified earlier
2. Even if your furnace does not stop working, it might be performing poorly resulting in more strain on your equipment
3. A poorly performing furnace could cost you more to operate
4. Replacing a furnace is expensive compared with the cost of a few periodic checkups

Can I inspect the furnace myself?

By all means, check and change your filters, but unless you are a qualified HVAC technician, it is not safe to attempt to fully inspect your own furnace.

Who should maintain my furnace?

There are a few things that you will want to keep in mind when deciding which HVAC company you want to have tune-up your furnace:

• Look for a company with technicians that have a fast response time and avoid those that take days to respond to a call
• Do some online research and read their reviews to see if others have had a positive experience with the company
• Find a company with highly trained technical experts who specialize in different HVAC solutions
• Look at how many service calls the company does each year

What should I do before the furnace inspection?

Before the technician arrives, help ensure safety for everyone by clearing the furnace room and the path to the equipment of any clutter or other items. Replace bulbs to ensure adequate lighting. It is a good idea to have a spare furnace filter on hand. The technician can then check the filter system, and if needed, install the new filter for you. For everyone’s safety, separate and keep your children and pets away from the work area.

Maintaining Your Furnace Filter and Humidifier

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Try not to leave it until the last minute when snow is piling up outside. But life happens, and your service company should be happy to undertake a checkup even well into winter. Try to book furnace maintenance for September and October before the rush.

1. Consider a protection plan

Put your furnace inspections and regular service on autopilot, by signing up for a compressive protection plan to make sure you are always covered. Learn more here.

2. Make sure the furnace is turned on

It seems obvious, but it does happen that the furnace gets turned off and not turned back on.

3. Check the batteries & test the thermostat

If your thermostat has batteries, check the batteries. Now might be a good time to also check the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Some people choose to check their batteries twice a year at the same time they adjust their clocks for daylight savings time.

It’s easy to test a thermostat. Just check the temperature level and turn it up about 5 degrees higher. Your furnace should come on within a few minutes. If it does not come on, there is a problem with either the thermostat or the furnace. Change the batteries if applicable and if that does not help, call a professional and have them inspect your furnace and thermostat.

5. Change the air filters

Furnace filters, humidifier pads, ventilator filters all require checking and regular replacement. The best way is by changing or cleaning your furnace filter, humidifier pad and any other equipment filters in your system. For more information on filters see the filter section below or click here.

6. Keep intake and exhaust vents & grilles clear and clean

Clutter, dust and dirt are the enemies of your home’s heating, cooling and ventilation system. Clean and unblock areas in front of heating grills, radiators, intake vents and outside exhaust vents.

7. De-clutter the furnace room

Keep your furnace room and all areas around your furnace clean and clutter-free. If your furnace room is also your laundry room, do not hang wet items on furnace equipment as it can create a serious fire risk. Store all items away from your heating equipment and provide clear access to your furnace at all times.

If your furnace is in need of repair, it is important not to leave it. Depending on the problem you are facing ignoring the issue will not only leave you cold this winter, but may also further damage the equipment. For most problems, it is best to call a licensed and trained HVAC technician to come and inspect and repair the system to ensure the system is fixed properly.

For more information about having your furnace fixed, here are a few frequently asked questions for the most common furnace issues:

No one wants to break the bank trying to keep their home warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. Help to keep your energy costs down as the temperature dips by implementing a few of these simple tips:

• Keep curtains and blinds open: Just because it is cold outside does not mean that the sun is not still strong; by opening the curtain and blinds in your home you can use the sun as a natural source for heat.
• Upgrade to energy efficient equipment: If you are looking to replace your furnace, check to see if the unit that you are considering is ENERGY STAR® certified to ensure it is efficient.
• Switch your home’s thermostat: Upgrading your thermostat to a programmable or smart thermostat allows you to take control of the temperature in your home and your energy bill.
• Use ceiling fans: Ceiling fans are not only for the hot summer months; by switching the fan direction to clockwise you can better distribute warmed air.
• Bundle up: A simple and inexpensive way to keep warm when the temperature drops is to opt for an extra sweater or cozy up with a blanket instead of cranking the heat.