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How to choose the best furnace and a reliable contractor for your home
During Alberta’s historically harsh winters, a reliable and efficient furnace is essential for staying warm without overspending on energy bills. Not only does choosing the right furnace help keep you comfortable, but it improves energy efficiency to save you money in the long-term.
As important as it is to find the right furnace for your home, you need a qualified contractor to ensure proper installation and optimal performance. Here’s how to select the best furnace for your home and a trustworthy contractor to install it.
Alberta’s Action Furnace shared some ideas on what to look for when choosing a new furnace for your home, and what to ask when hiring an HVAC contractor.
Assess and understand your home’s heating needs
Well-insulated homes with high-quality windows retain heat more effectively, reducing the furnace’s workload and improving overall efficiency. Larger homes require more powerful systems, while multi-level homes might need more specific considerations and HVAC routing to ensure even heating.
It’s also important to realize that with furnaces, size certainly does matter. An oversized furnace will waste energy by cycling on and off too frequently, and an undersized unit will struggle to heat your home well - both of which will cost you money unnecessarily.
Furnace types and features for Alberta homes
In Alberta, gas furnaces are the most common and cost-effective heating option, as they offer efficiency and widespread availability. When selecting a furnace, consider the following features:
- Single-stage: this is your basic furnace model; it provides heat but will cycle on and off based on the temperature in your home.
- Two-stage Offering more flexibility in heating output. Will fluctuate between two stages depending on the demand for heat in the home.
- Modulating: this is the most comfortable option that fluctuates the heat output and fan speeds to provide ultimate comfort in all areas of the home.
Choosing a furnace that can operate efficiently during our cold winters while supporting high-quality air filters will help keep your home comfortable and healthier throughout the cold months.
Not all furnaces are created equally, so you should carefully compare brands before making a decision. Reputation and customer reviews provide valuable insights into reliability and overall satisfaction, and warranty coverage, particularly for parts and the heat exchanger, can reduce or cover future repair costs.
Additionally, the availability of replacement parts and service support should not be overlooked. Some brands have better local service networks, making it easier to access repairs and maintenance when needed. Finally, it is essential to balance upfront costs with long-term savings. While high-efficiency models may come with a higher initial price, they often provide lower operating costs over time, making them a more cost-effective investment in the long run.
All that said, the average homeowner might not know a ton about furnace brands or reputations. To get an expert opinion, contact the team at Action Furnace to get a professional’s input on what brand is ideal for your space, and their experience on which brands last and hold up well in our often harsh winters.
How to choose the right HVAC contractor
Selecting a reputable HVAC contractor is just as important as choosing the right furnace, as proper installation will directly impact the performance and efficiency of your new furnace. To ensure quality service, start by verifying that the contractor is properly licensed, insured, and certified. And for feedback from previous customers, check for reviews on Google or with the Better Business Bureau to learn about the company’s reputation.
A reputable contractor should offer a detailed quote that clearly outlines costs, equipment specifications, and warranty details, and you should check online reviews and references to get a sense of their reliability and service quality.
Be cautious of red flags such as unusually low bids, high-pressure sales tactics, or vague estimates, as these may indicate subpar service or hidden costs. Taking the time to research and choose a qualified contractor ensures a smooth installation process and long-term furnace performance.
Before hiring a contractor, ask these questions
Then, ask which brands they recommend and the reasons behind their choices, as this can provide insight into their industry knowledge and preferred equipment. Of course, it’s important to understand the price points of your options, so get a breakdown of what the different furnace choices would cost. You should also ask what’s included in their installation package, as some contractors may offer additional services or features like system calibration, disposal of old equipment, or post-installation support and maintenance plans. Regular servicing can extend the lifespan of your furnace and maintain efficiency, so that’s something to keep in mind when making a selection. And lastly, ask how they handle emergency repairs, so you know what to expect in case of an unexpected breakdown. Asking these questions will help you make a well-informed decision and ensure you receive reliable service. Selecting the right furnace and contractor is essential for a comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient home. Investing time in research and careful decision-making can lead to better long-term value and reliability. By comparing options and choosing wisely, you’ll enjoy a warm and worry-free winter while maximising efficiency and cost savings. And if you aren’t sure where to start, contact the team at Action Furnace to understand the options for your home so you can stay comfortable all winter long.
To ensure you select the right contractor, ask key questions about their services and expertise. Start by confirming whether they handle necessary permits and inspections, ensuring compliance with local regulations, as those are critical before getting to the actual purchase and installation.