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Blog 2020 October Oosterveld Heating’s New Home Furnace Buying Guide

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Expert Information on Home Heating Costs, Energy Efficiency, Installation & More for Guelph Area Homeowners

Whether it's from age, wear & tear, or a breakdown that's beyond fixing, replacing your home's furnace is a rite of passage every property owner goes through - and for most, it's one that comes with a lot of questions, such as:

How much will it cost?

How long will it take to install a furnace? How long will I be without heat?

Is this really the right time to replace my furnace? Can it wait until next winter?

(Rule of thumb: if furnace problems are on your mind, it's a good idea to at least look at the landscape before it gets too cold - and costly.)

Whether you need a full replacement or a simple repair, the last thing you want is for your furnace to go on the fritz when the winter weather has already settled in. Get your home heating questions answered below and know before you invest in your home comfort.

Want to talk to an Oosterveld Heating Guelph Home Comfort Advisor near you about your home furnace needs now? Give us a call at (548) 409-5875 or online with our fast form. Use the referral code FALLFLASH20 for up to $50 off the installation of a new home heating system.

Home Furnace Replacement & Installation: Your Questions Answered

Click on any of the following questions to jump directly to their answers. Please note you may need to scroll up slightly after jumping to an answer to view it in its entirety.

Cost

Energy Efficiency

When to Invest & What to Look For

Home Furnace Installation

Questions & Concerns

New Home Furnace Cost

Investing in a New Central Home Comfort System in Guelph

How much will a new home furnace cost?

As with any major appliance, the overall investment of a new home comfort system will vary from house to house.

See below for a list of common price factors.

The Size of Your Home

The size of your house will naturally play a role in the size of the furnace you select, which will impact both overall investment and monthly energy bills.

If you live in a bigger home and are concerned about unavoidable higher prices as a result, talk to an Oosterveld Heating Guelph Home Comfort Advisor to discuss your best options for a new furnace that fits your needs today.

Give us a call at (548) 409-5875 oronline with our fast form. Use the referral code FALLFLASH20 for up to $50 off the installation of a new home heating system.

Your Home’s Heat Gain & Loss

Just as the size of your property does, the amount of heat that your home naturally maintains and loses throughout the day will be a significant factor in your home's comfort investment. The size of your windows and doors on all floors will play a big role in this, as will ceiling height and overall room size.

Your Home Comfort Advisor will work with you to obtain measurements and determine the amount of heat your home is losing, which will help inform the type of system in which you should invest.

Product Performance, Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality Options, and Warranty

As you might expect, the product you choose to have installed will also play a significant role in price. Higher-rated home furnaces, with better performance, improved efficiency, and good indoor air quality, may be higher in price.

TIP: If you're thinking of sacrificing product quality for a lower price, keep in mind that this is a long-term investment for your home: while you may save some money at the point of purchase, you could end up paying a lot more to cover an expensive part replacement or breakdown repair in the long run.

There's also the warranty: if you want any form of protective coverage for your new investment, there will be an extra initial cost, but it's always a good idea to explore your options for some extra peace of mind.

Operating Costs (i.e., Utilwity Bills)

All furnaces, whether they're powered by gas, electricity, propane, or oil, come with operating costs. It is important to keep in mind that regardless of your heating system's size and quality, regular use will impact the overall monthly amount.

Installation Techniques and the Certified Professionals You Choose to Service Your Home

The initial setup & installation of your new home comfort system is the most important step of the process. And as with product quality, when it comes to service, you get what you pay for. That's why the certified professionals you choose to install your furnace matter: those who cut corners with installation in order to save on the initial investment are likely to face much bigger, more expensive problems in the future.

Some examples include:

  • An oversized/undersized furnace unit could cost an additional 10-25% to operate
  • Improperly sized and leaky ducting could cost an additional 5-30% to operate

This is why it's essential to choose a certified, trustworthy team of technicians like those at Oosterveld Heating in Guelph to install your new home heating system.

Want to talk about furnace installation with a Guelph Home Comfort Advisor? Give us a call at (548) 409-5875 oronline with our fast form. Use the referral code FALLFLASH20 for up to $50 off the installation of a new home heating system.

Post-installation Heating Maintenance & Repairs

An unavoidable aspect of any appliance, furnace maintenance and repairs will come with their own costs down the road.

While most HVAC companies will offer maintenance packages or protection plans that come at a fixed rate, repair costs will vary depending on factors such as the severity of the issue.

Although inevitable, more costly repairs can be avoided by speaking to your Home Comfort Advisor about any available maintenance packages that will help prevent long-term, expensive problems.

Will investing in a new furnace save me money in the long run?

Because most modern home heating systems have improved in terms of overall energy efficiency over the years, yes, replacing an older furnace with a newer model is likely to save you on energy costs in the long run.

Most homeowners realize investing in an energy-efficient home comfort system now will provide long-term savings.

Speak to a Home Comfort Advisor about the potential of long-term savings that can come from a new home furnace.

Will a new furnace help increase my home value?

When it comes time to slap a FOR SALE sign on the lawn, potential home buyers will find a new furnace appealing – it's one less thing for them to deal with when they move in, and recent home improvements are always a key selling point.

So while it may not have a direct impact, a new home heating system could still make a big difference: it has high potential to give you an edge with home buyers and could help push up the asking price.

Keep that in mind if you're considering a new furnace as part of a bigger plan to eventually sell your home in addition to your goal of quality home comfort.

Can I pay for a new home furnace in installments? Is financing available?

Yes, you can! Oosterveld Heating is pleased to provide homeowners with financing options for a new home furnace system.

For details on our financing options, please call a Home Comfort Advisor at (548) 409-5875 or online with our fast form. Use the referral code FALLFLASH20 for up to $50 off the installation of a new home heating system.

Home Heating Energy Efficiency

What to Expect from New Furnace Cost & Energy Savings in Guelph

Are new home furnaces more energy efficient?

In general, yes - modern home comfort systems are designed to use less energy.

The Government of Canada's website offers detailed information on furnaces in Canada and their regulations on energy efficiency:

"An ENERGY STAR certified forced-air furnace, fuelled by gas uses 6% less energy, fuelled by oil uses 9% less energy, on average, than a standard model. Space heating represents 61% of your home energy use and offers the most potential for cutting your energy bill. Residential furnaces that have earned the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation are the best of the best – they'll save you even more energy. Saving energy saves money and reduces your carbon footprint."

Oosterveld Heating is proud to uphold the ENERGY STAR promise in all of its home heating products.

How will a new furnace impact my energy bills?

Our ENERGY STAR-certified home heating systems are designed with improved energy efficiency.

The bottom line: a new furnace will use less energy, which translates to lower monthly heating bills, saving you money in the long run.

Do new home furnaces have a better impact on the environment?

Because of their energy-efficient design, modern home heating systems tend to have less of a negative impact on the environment.

For more information on modern residential furnaces and their energy use, visit this page on the Government of Canada's website.

When to Buy & What to Look For

The Right Time to Purchase a New Furnace - and What Questions to Ask

When Is the Right Time to Invest in a New Home Furnace?

Rule of thumb: You'll know you need to invest in a new home furnace when your current one stops doing its core job of heating your home comfortably, consistently, and efficiently.

In other words, you should start to think about replacing your home heating system if your current one is showing significant signs of age & wear and tear and may not make it through another winter.

It should also be on your mind if you experience a breakdown that is either too costly or too far gone to fix. Additionally, you may want to consider a new furnace as part of an overall home improvement project if renovations are on your mind.

If you're looking for a professional opinion on whether you need a full furnace replacement or a simple repair, contact a Guelph Home Comfort Advisor today.

What Should I Be Looking for in a New Home Furnace?

Most homeowners will look for specific features within a new home heating system before making their investment. See below for a list of common decision-making factors and click on each to learn more.

Service guarantees

It is absolutely essential you fully trust the certified professionals who are installing a new heating system in your home.

Aside from the fact that they'll be in your personal space for a time in order to set it up, you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing that a fully qualified & certified individual is taking care of the full setup of your system. Be sure to learn about a company's service guarantees before making a decision for home furnace installation.

Furnace Lifespan & Longevity

Since this is a long-term investment that you'll want to keep working for your family for many years to come, most homeowners will focus on questions about product longevity and lifespan. The last thing you want is to have to turn around and fully replace your almost-new furnace after just a few years of use.

That's why it's important to ask questions about the more common causes of irreparable furnace issues, and how your service provider will help you avoid them with things like regular maintenance. Knowing this before you make your investment will help you avoid consistent, costly repairs or a full furnace replacement before you need it down the road.

Warranty & Protection Plans

For a lot of homeowners, knowing you're protected from unpreventable problems that cause your home heating system to break down provides an extra bit of peace of mind. Be sure to ask about the types of coverage that are available and how they'll help you avoid paying big bucks for various types of system repairs.

Just about every HVAC company offers home furnace warranty & protection plans, but it's important to know the details of them to avoid any surprises when it comes time for a service call, so be sure to ask.

Air quality

Different home comfort systems can substantially improve your home's indoor air quality. When you're weighing your options between furnaces and home heating packages, it's a good idea to talk to your Home Comfort Advisor about how each is likely to affect the air quality inside your residence.

Product Efficiency

Another question that's top of mind for most homeowners when investing in a new home heating system is how efficient it will be in terms of energy and cost savings.

Modern furnaces have made vast improvements in terms of how well they can heat a whole home without causing your energy bills to skyrocket, but this varies depending on the size of the system and other factors.

Be sure to ask about the efficiency of any heating unit you're interested in installing in your home for a better idea of the difference you'll see in your energy bills.

Product Features

Although the end goal of consistent home comfort remains the same, everyone has their own preferences for which product features they want to choose.

Homeowners in the market for a new furnace will often focus on specific features when they're making their decision, such as the thermostat, Wi-Fi capabilities, filtration, and modulation.

You may want some, none, or all of these types of features, but you should always inquire as to what is and is not included with each system when you're choosing how to make your investment.

Air Conditioning Upgrade Bundles

Many homeowners will look into upgrading both their furnace and air conditioning units at the same time Sometimes this is a better investment and a more affordable option in the long run.

Advantages of buying a furnace and AC bundle include:

  • Better deals in buying a full system vs. a single system
  • Better thermostat/thermostat features with two systems in one
  • More convenient – get both systems installed at once and don't worry about replacing either for the future
  • Extend equipment life, as a matched system is designed to work in sync
  • Your warranty may be voided if your AC leaks and damages your furnace – a new AC system would help prevent this
  • You may get further minimizations to your additional investment, as more allowances may be included with a furnace/AC bundle

Investing in both a new home heating and cooling system at once can help you save money in the immediate and long-term, and ensures you're set up with a top-of-the-line efficient system for all seasons.

Promotions & Deals

As saving money is usually top of mind for the majority of homeowners looking at a new furnace, many of them will ask about any existing promotional sales before making a final decision.

Oosterveld Heating offers monthly deals for homeowners looking to upgrade their existing home heating systems. Click here to learn about our current promo.

Always be sure to ask your Home Comfort Advisor about any existing sales or specials on furnace installation – you never know how much of a difference it could make in your initial investment.

What Kinds of Questions Should I Be Asking When I Look for a New Home Heating System?

Questions commonly asked by homeowners who are looking for a new home furnace system include:

  • How much will it cost to install? Are there any additional/hidden installation fees?
  • How long will it take? How long will my home be without heat?
  • Will the technicians need to return at all immediately after installation?
  • How long can I expect my new furnace to last with regular tune-ups and maintenance?
  • What kinds of certifications do your technicians have?
  • What are your company's service guarantees?
  • What kinds of warranties and protection plans are available?
  • What kinds of post-installation maintenance and repair services do you offer? How much of a priority will I be when I need help with my home comfort system?
  • What kind of impact will a new furnace have on my monthly home heating bills? Will I save money?
  • What kinds of promotions and deals are available for your furnaces?

Home Furnace Installation

Setup & Installation of a New Home Heating System in Guelph

Is home furnace installation available near me?

Yes! Oosterveld Heating offers full-service home furnace installation in Guelph and will handle all the heavy lifting when it comes time for a replacement and setup.

Looking for furnace installation in the Guelph market? Give us a call at (548) 409-5875 or online with our fast form. Use the referral code FALLFLASH20 for up to $50 off the installation of a new home heating system.

How long will installation take? Will I be without heat?

The length of time needed to install a furnace varies from house to house. We can provide you with a detailed estimate during your in-home consultation, but you can expect installation to take at least 6 hours for a furnace.

Luckily, this means that you should not be without heat for more than a small amount of time throughout the day – once we've set up and are out of your way, you'll have your home comfort system up & running immediately.

Can I try to install a new home furnace myself?

PLEASE NOTE: You cannot legally install a home furnace without a certification. Attempting to do so is unsafe and comes with the risk of significant damage to your home, serious injury, or even death. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL A HOME FURNACE BY YOURSELF.

Furnace installation is a job that requires a certified professional. Give us a call at (548) 409-5875 oronline with our fast form and use the referral code FALLFLASH20 for up to $50 off the installation of a new home heating system.

What if I have issues after installation?

Oosterveld Heating offers round-the-clock residential furnace repair for any issues that may be impacting your home's comfort.

Call us anytime at 226-721-8501, 24/7/365 for help with any heating problems you're experiencing and we'll be there to warm things up again in a jiffy.

We also offer ongoing post-installation furnace maintenance services to ensure your home heating system is always tuned up and fully functioning all winter long.

Questions & Concerns

Follow up With a Home Comfort Advisor in Guelph for More Information

Still have questions about investing in a new central home furnace system in Guelph? We're happy to help!

Give us a call at (548) 409-5875 oronline with our fast form. Use the referral code FALLFLASH20 for up to $50 off the installation of a new home heating system.