Where to Buy a Furnace in Canada: Top Brands and Local Installers

Winters in Canada are not a joke. A good furnace is all it takes to make a home habitable when it is below zero and there is a lot of snow on the outside. However, out there are hundreds of models and suppliers in the market so many people have no idea where to begin when they want to buy a furnace in Canada. The most appropriate decision means not only searching the lowest price but getting the right product, professional installation, and long-term service.

The Modern Furnace Market in Canada

Canadians are changing the way they buy a furnace and this change has been very drastic in the last 10 years. Previously, house owners could only use the local technicians or referrals. They can now choose between online stores, power companies, large box stores and independent HVAC experts. The expansion of online research and open-price has enabled the consumer to do a comparison of the efficiency ratings, warranties and installation packages at their own discretion.

The importance of purchasing via a trusted source is that a furnace is not a plug and play device. Even the finest furnace in the market will not perform well when installed wrongly. This is why the most intelligent option when buying a furnace is to use certified dealers or retailers who would provide the furnace with professional installation.

Leading Places to Buy a Furnace in Canada

National Home Improvement Chains

To the convenience-seeking individual, chains like Home Depot and Lowe will continue to be reliable in the event of a need to buy a furnace. They both also work with licensed HVAC contractors and offer high-efficiency models of such brands as Trane, Lennox, and Carrier. Home owners are able to browse and book appointments online as well as take out a mortgage. Retailers also deal with warranty, service coordination thus eliminating the burden of dealing with various providers.

Membership-Based Retailers

Costco Canada has also established a niche of members who seek value and dependability. Customers are allowed to buy a furnace by the exclusive partners of Costco or in most cases Lennox or Goodman and had long warranty, good rebates and a good image of excellent service. The bonus is clear pricing and no hidden costs of installation, something that makes economically sensitive consumers like.

Energy Service Providers

Canada has heating markets dominated by energy service companies like Enercare and Reliance Home Comfort which control a significant portion of the market. These companies enable house owners to buy a furnace directly or they can subscribe to rental services, which cover all the repairs and maintenance. Their technicians are fully authorized as well and most of them have 24-hour emergency services- a consideration that is significant when it is a cold snap in January. Such suppliers are also abreast with government rebate initiatives that incentivize clients to buy high efficiency furnaces.

Independent HVAC Companies

The heating industry in Canada is still supported by local HVAC specialists. The personalized service is still helping companies such as Cambridge in GTA, Action Furnace in Alberta, Furnace King in Ontario, and Universal Heating in British Columbia to gain trust. When home owners buy a furnace with the help of local specialists they usually receive an in-depth energy evaluation and specialized advice tailored to the climatic conditions of the area as well as the architecture of their homes. Smaller companies might not be as strong as the advertising of national companies, yet they often offer quicker response rates and long-term relationships which large big box stores are unable to duplicate.

Top Furnace Brands to Consider

You can better choose where to buy a furnace in case you are aware of the brand.

• Lennox: Lennox furnaces are known to be innovative and operate silently and have an AFUE rating of over 95%. They perform well where the homeowner wants to be efficient in energy and have a long life span.
• Carrier: Carrier is a decades-old brand with its products oriented to smart thermostats and adjustable heating systems that react to the real-time temperature indicators.
• Trane: Trane furnaces are known to be durable and are tested to work in harsh weather conditions and they have the top warranties available.
• Goodman: a sensible decision in cases where a household owner wishes to buy a furnace but wants to strike a balance between the price and reliability. Goodman models are simple to maintain and are available in large numbers.
• Rheem: Small and lean in spaces Rheem furnaces are small and efficient and are targeted at individuals with limited space or relatively new homes where flexibility in installation is important.

Each of these brands has good networks of dealers across Canada.

Factors That Influence the Right Purchase

Brand names are not the only things to consider before you buy a furnace. The system should fit the home specific layout and energy requirement. The calculation of heating load required by you (dependent on insulation, windows and square footage) should be done by a qualified technician. Large furnaces are very inefficient and small ones can hardly match the demand in cold nights.

Fuel type also matters. Natural gas is the most prevalent in the whole of Canada but electric and propane furnaces are used in rural or off-grid houses. Most Canadians are currently choosing high efficiency gas furnaces that have sealed combustion and variable speed blowers that minimise utility bills and environmental effects.

Cost is another factor. Canadians usually invest between 3500 and 7500 dollars in order to buy a furnace including the cost of installing the furnace. The cost is based on efficiency rating, capacity, and location. That cost can however be subsidized by the rebates provided by Enbridge Gas and FortisBC and other provincial initiatives on qualifying ENERGY STAR(r) units.

Why Professional Installation Matters

The most sophisticated furnace cannot work, unless it is properly set up. Certified installers do not only connect the equipment to ensure that it is safe- they also calibrate it in terms of airflow, thermostat accuracy and gas pressure. It is something that many homeowners learn to make it easier when they want to claim a warranty; when a technician or authorized dealer is purchased. When you buy a furnace and have them install it by the same company, responsibility is obvious, should something go wrong, then there is just a single call to make.

The Bottom Line

The choice of a place to buy a furnace in Canada can be reduced to three fundamentals, namely, to the quality of products, professional installation, and reliable service. The national retail stores such as Home Depot and Costco offer convenience and good prices, energy providers such as Enercare and Reliance offer either flexible ownership or leasing services, and local HVAC providers offer personalized service and quick response.

Finally, one can always buy a furnace where the knowledge of products and skills in installation meet. With the good supplier and certified installer in Canada, you are not only purchasing metal and wiring, but you are purchasing warmth, comfort and assurance that your home will always remain warm despite the coldness of the outside.