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Boiler heat is not expensive on a day-to-day basis. In fact, you may save in energy costs when heating your house with a boiler compared to a furnace.

However, installing a boiler is typically more complex and therefore more expensive than installing a furnace. On average, a boiler will cost anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 to purchase and install (depending on the brand and the system’s energy efficiency rating). Plus, your home will need extensive modifications to make a boiler system work – radiant heating must be implemented.

On the other hand, the average cost to buy and install a furnace in Edmonton is only $5,500 to $10,000+. With boiler heat, you will save in the long run but will have to pay more upfront.

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:

• Vent, blower, and ductwork cleaning
• Inspection of the flue for damage and dents
• Examination of all belts and their tension
• Adjustment of the furnace’s pilot light flame
• Calibration of the thermostat
• Visual inspection of all electrical wiring
• Inspection of the furnace filter
• Cleaning and removing any debris

A checklist that includes no less than 22 points of inspection should be used during your furnace service.

There are several heating systems to choose from, including:

• Gas Furnaces: These are efficient and widely used for their affordability and heating capabilities.
• Electric Furnaces: These are suitable for areas with milder winters but tend to be less energy-efficient.
• Heat Pumps: They can both heat and cool your home, providing year-round comfort.
• Hybrid Systems: Combining a heat pump and a gas furnace for maximum efficiency in different weather conditions.
• Ductless Mini-Splits: Ideal for heating individual rooms or spaces without a central duct system.

A furnace could stop working for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, furnaces stop working because of:

• Blocked or clogged vents, blowers, and/or ductwork
• A dirty, clogged filter
• Thermostat malfunctions (or just a low battery)
• Problem with your power supply
• Damage to the flue
• Issues with belts
• Problems with the pilot light
• Wiring issues

Winters in Edmonton, Alberta can be cold! Avoid layers upon layers of sweaters – if you’re experiencing any of the following issues, get your furnace repaired right away: 

• Strange smells, like burning or chemicals 
• You can’t turn the furnace on
• Inadequate and inconsistent heat. For example, some rooms are hotter than others and some rooms have no heat at all.
• Loud, banging or rattling noises

If you are in Edmonton and surrounding area, contact ProSolutions Inc, we’d love to be your HVAC company of choice. If you’re outside of our service area, contact a local furnace company with top ratings on Google.

Boilers can last a really long time. In fact, the average lifespan of a boiler is 10 to 15 years. In order to extend the life of your boiler, it’s important to ensure that it is properly maintained and serviced on a regular basis. Even the best boiler will require maintenance and repairs from time to time.

If your boiler is giving you signs that it needs attention, make sure to hire a professional heating company to do the job. This will ensure your boiler lasts as long as possible. Some signs to keep an eye out for include: low water pressure, no heat coming from your radiators, banging noises, a pilot light that keeps going out or isn’t blue.

If there is a crack in the heat exchanger of your heating system, your furnace could be leaking carbon monoxide (CO). This can be dangerous for you and your family, as CO can cause serious bodily harm and even result in death. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless gas and therefore is not easily detected, especially in small quantities.

Your furnace may be leaking carbon monoxide if you or other members of your household are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling hungover
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

If you think your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide contact a local heating company right away. If you think you are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, please seek professional medical advice immediately.

Heat pumps do not work in Alberta.

While heat pumps are designed to heat efficiently and cool homes by drawing heat from the outside air during cold months and expelling hot air from inside during warmer months, their effectiveness varies based on the climate.

In milder climates, heat pumps can be an excellent alternative to traditional furnaces and air conditioners. Some homeowners even prefer them for their dual functionality. However, in colder regions like Alberta, especially places like Edmonton, the efficiency of heat pumps diminishes.

The reason? As temperatures drop, heat pumps struggle to extract enough warmth from the frigid air to heat a home adequately. In contrast, traditional furnaces are specifically designed to provide consistent and reliable heat, even in the harshest of winters. For Alberta homeowners, where winters can be particularly brutal, relying solely on a heat pump can be a gamble.

Therefore, while heat pumps might be a viable option in some parts of the world, in Alberta, a traditional furnace remains the trusted and recommended choice for ensuring warmth and comfort throughout the year. There are also other and more reliable heating and cooling solutions available to Alberta homeowners.

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.