The difference between a boiler and a hot water tank has to do with the way in which each uses the hot water that it produces.
Both boilers and hot water tanks take cool water, heat this water and then distribute it throughout a home via pipes. However, the water that is heated by a boiler is distributed throughout the home via pipes, radiators and radiant in-floor systems in order to heat it – to keep the rooms, floors, garage, etc. comfortable and warm.
On the other hand, a hot water tank heats water that is used for cooking and cleaning purposes – for showers, dishwashing, laundry, etc.
There are several heating systems to choose from, including:
If you live in Edmonton or other northern areas your furnace should be professionally serviced once per year. This will prevent you from having to get expensive furnace repairs or replacements and will extend the life of your furnace. In fact, regularly scheduled inspections and service on your heating system can help identify potential breakdowns and reduce emergency repairs by as much as 95%! Regular service can also lower utility bills by up to 30%.
Harsh winters in Edmonton, and other Albertan cities, can take a toll on heating systems. A company that provides furnace service and maintenance will ensure that everything is in top working condition so that you can rely on your furnace all through the winter without having to worry about issues or failures.
Here’s how much furnace tune-ups & servicing costs in Edmonton.
The size of the furnace you’ll need largely depends on the size of your home. Size recommendations based on square footage are:
1,200 square foot home: 36,000 to 72,000 BTUs
1,500 square foot home: 45,000 to 90,000 BTUs
1,800 square foot home: 54,000 to 108,000 BTUs
2,100 square foot home: 63,000 to 126,000 BTUs
2,400 square foot home: 72,000 to 144,000 BTUs
Other factors that affect the size of the new furnace installation you’ll need include:
For more info om furnace shopping, read our full article on “how to choose the right furnace“.
A professional technician will have an extensive checklist to go through when providing furnace tune-up service and maintenance. The items on this list cover every part of your furnace in order to ensure that it is in top working condition.
Some of the most important items included in this furnace service checklist are:
A checklist that includes no less than 22 points of inspection should be used during your furnace service.
It typically takes between four and eight hours to install a new furnace in Edmonton or the surrounding areas. However, install time can vary depending on factors like the age of your home and the condition of its wiring and ductwork.
No need to worry about spending a long night freezing inside your home during an Albertan winter. ProSolutions can have your new furnace up and running within a day to keep you and your family comfortable and warm!
When getting free furnace installation quotes in Edmonton area, make sure to ask how long the installation is expected to take. Local furnace companies will have a good idea based on their experience in your area.
To keep your boiler running efficiently, safely, and reliably, it should be professionally serviced once a year. This annual maintenance helps catch small issues before they become big (and expensive) problems, improves energy efficiency, and keeps your warranty valid.
But remembering to book your tune-up each year? That’s just one more thing on an already packed to-do list.
That’s where the ProBoiler Membership comes in. It includes your annual boiler tune-up, priority scheduling, and exclusive discounts on repairs—all without you having to remember a thing. We track the timing, reach out when it’s due, and make it simple to stay on top of your home comfort.
Unless you’re a trained professional, it’s not a good idea to attempt to install your own furnace. Yes, you’ll save money now but the issues and damage that can occur from an improperly installed furnace can result in costs far beyond what you would have spent to hire professionals to do your install.
Hiring a professional heating services provider in your area to install, maintain, and repair your furnace is always the best way to go. This will save you time and money in the long run. In addition to properly installing and calibrating your new furnace system, technicians are trained to help you find the perfect size furnace for your home. This will ensure that your furnace is not too big or too small. This, as well as the additional services provided by professional technicians during installation, including the calibration of your thermostat, will result in a highly-efficient furnace that will save you money in energy costs.
Shopping for a new furnace and wondering what are BTUs? BTU stands for British Thermal Unit – a value traditionally assigned to heat. Technically, a single BTU is the amount of energy that is necessary to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at sea level. As far as a heating system goes, BTUs refer to the amount of heat that a furnace is able to output.
When it comes to furnaces, the larger the square footage that needs to be heated, the more BTUs you’ll require. For example, it’s suggested that a 1,500 square foot home has a furnace that is able to output 45,000 to 90,000 BTUs.
Furnace size is determined by your home’s square footage, insulation, climate, and other factors. It’s best to consult with a professional technician who can perform a load calculation to determine the right size for your specific needs.
Oversized or undersized furnaces can lead to inefficiencies and comfort issues.
The key to knowing when to replace your furnace versus when to repair it depends on its age and how many more years you can expect it to last. But, rather than humming and hawing about these questions, there is a simple equation you can use to help you decide.
This equation compares the cost of repairing the unit to the cost of replacing it. Here’s the calculation you can use to decide when you should replace your furnace:
“Cost of Repair” x “Age of Unit (in years)” > “Cost to Replace Furnace” = Replace Furnace
Multiply the cost of the furnace repair by the age of the unit. If this number is less than the cost of replacing your gas furnace, then opt for the repairs. If this number is larger, it will be cheaper to replace the furnace.
If you’re living in Alberta, in the St. Albert/Edmonton area, and you’re still unsure, talk to a local heating company. With their expert knowledge about your particular climate, they will be able to help you make a decision as to whether you should repair or replace your furnace.
Furnace on the fritz? Here are a few things to check if your furnace isn’t working:
If one of these is not the issue, you may need a professional to help you uncover and solve the problem. Don’t wait until it’s too late – a broken furnace, especially during an Edmonton winter, can result in broken and burst water pipes! Find a local furnace repair contractor to fix the problem as soon as possible.
