Selecting a reliable gas furnace is crucial, particularly in colder climates such as Ontario or across Canada. Residential gas furnaces offer efficient heating and are preferred for their cost-effectiveness and lower environmental impact compared to oil or electric furnaces. This article explores various brands and guides you on choosing the right furnace for your home, considering local fuel availability, installation requirements, and personal efficiency preferences. It discusses the importance of proper furnace sizing and technical specifications like Gas Stages, Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), blower motor types. The selection process is broken down into three main factors: size, technical specifications, and brand, each critical to ensuring your home’s comfort and the furnace’s energy efficiency.
1. Size
Sizing a furnace correctly is crucial for ensuring efficient and effective heating in your home. An improperly sized furnace can lead to higher energy costs, uneven heating, and premature wear and tear. Here’s how to properly size a furnace:
The first step in sizing a furnace is to calculate the heating load of your home, which is the amount of heat required to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. This calculation takes into account factors like:
- Square footage: The size of the area that needs to be heated.
- Climate zone: Homes in colder climates require more heating power.
- Insulation quality: Better insulation reduces heating requirements.
- Windows: Number, quality, and exposure of windows affect heat loss.
- Building materials and construction: Different materials and construction methods can influence how well a building retains heat.
- Occupancy and home layout: The number of people living in the home and the layout of the space can impact heating needs.
The following table provides a rough estimate for furnace size:
Once you have your heating load, you can select a furnace with the appropriate heating capacity, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour. A general rule of thumb is approximately 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot of living space in moderate climates. However, this can vary significantly based on the insulation, home design, and climate.
- Avoid Oversizing: A furnace that is too large will heat the house quickly but in short cycles, leading to inefficiency, increased wear, and temperature fluctuations.
- Avoid Undersizing: Conversely, a furnace that is too small will struggle to heat the home adequately on colder days, leading to constant operation and increased wear.
It’s advisable to consult with a professional HVAC contractor who can perform an accurate assessment of your heating needs. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your furnace is perfectly sized for your home, providing efficient, reliable, and effective heating. Here is an estimate about the cost of installing a new furnace. Note that in this article the prices are rough estimates and are based on regular conditions of the installation location.
2. Technical Specifications
Choosing the right furnace involves understanding various technical specifications that affect performance, efficiency, and suitability for your home. Here are some of the most important technical specifications to consider when selecting a furnace:
- Gas Stages: Gas furnaces are categorized based on their operation stages, which influence their efficiency and comfort level. Single-stage furnaces operate at full capacity, leading to potential energy inefficiencies and temperature swings. Two-stage furnaces improve on this by operating at a lower capacity in milder conditions and only using full capacity when necessary, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing noise. Modulating furnaces offer the most precise temperature control by adjusting their output to exactly match the heating demand, optimizing comfort and fuel efficiency.
- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE): AFUE measures how efficiently a furnace converts the energy in its fuel to heat over a typical year. It is expressed as a percentage. A higher AFUE rating indicates a more efficient furnace. For example, a furnace with an AFUE of 90% means that 90% of the energy in the fuel becomes heat for the home, and the rest escapes. Look for furnaces with an AFUE of 90% or higher, especially in colder climates, as these are considered high-efficiency.
- Heating Capacity: Measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. As previously discussed, correct sizing is crucial. The capacity should match the heat load calculation of your home to ensure effective and efficient heating.
- Blower Motor Type: The blower motor can be single-speed, multi-speed, or variable-speed.
- Single-speed: Operates at full capacity whenever on, leading to potential over-cycling and uneven heating.
- Multi-speed: Provides flexibility by operating at different speeds depending on the demand, improving comfort and efficiency.
- Variable-speed: Offers the most efficiency by finely tuning airflow to maintain consistent temperatures and reduce energy consumption.
Understanding these specifications will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your heating needs, budget, and preferences for energy efficiency and home comfort. Always consider consulting with an HVAC professional to ensure the specifications match your specific home characteristics and climate conditions.
3. Brands
The Canadian furnace market is dominated by several major brands known for their reliability, efficiency, and innovation. Companies like Carrier, Lennox, and American Standard are among the top choices for Canadian homeowners, offering a range of high-performance units designed to withstand the country’s diverse climate conditions. Carrier is renowned for its advanced technology and energy-efficient models, while Lennox stands out for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly products. American Standard, known for its robust and durable systems, is a favorite for those seeking long-term reliability.
Other notable brands include Goodman, recognized for its cost-effective solutions, and Rheem, which offers a balance of quality and affordability. These brands consistently provide Canadian consumers with a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets, ensuring comfortable and efficient cooling solutions across the country.
Brand Overviews:
Carrier
Founded in 1915 in the United States, Carrier is a pioneer in air conditioning technology. It offers a wide range of products, including residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC systems, known for their innovation and energy efficiency. Carrier furnaces have lifetime warranty on heat exchanger and 10 years of warranty on covered parts.
Lennox: Established in 1895 in the United States, Lennox has a long history of manufacturing high-quality HVAC systems. Its product range includes air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps, all designed for superior energy efficiency and quiet operation. Carrier furnaces have 20 years to lifetime warranty on heat exchanger and 5-10 years of warranty on covered parts.
Goodman
Goodman, founded in 1975 in the United States, is known for providing cost-effective and reliable HVAC solutions. Its product lineup includes air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces, with a focus on durability and value. Carrier furnaces have lifetime warranty on heat exchanger, 10 years of warranty on covered parts and 10 years of limited unit replacement warranty.
American Standard
With roots dating back to the 1880s in the United States, American Standard offers a diverse range of HVAC products. These include air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps, all celebrated for their efficiency, reliability, and strong warranties. Carrier furnaces have lifetime warranty on heat exchanger and 10 years of warranty on covered parts.
Lennox and Goodman are great choices for anyone who wants solid performance at a reasonable price. On the other hand, Carrier and American Standard are perfect for customers with lower price sensitivity looking for enhanced comfort and satisfaction.
To give an approximate idea of the price range for each brand, the following table for a 60,000 to 70,000 BTU product is provided:
Major brands produce their products in different efficiency, features, and with different trade names to capture more market share. These brands hold about 80% of the market share in the air conditioning industry of Canada.
Additional Costs to Consider:
When budgeting for a new furnace, it’s important to consider several additional costs that can impact the overall price. The distance between the gas line and furnace also affects the installation cost, with longer distances potentially increasing the price. In some cases, inspection and legal fees may be necessary, adding to the overall expense. Extended warranties offer additional coverage, costing around $600 for 10 years and $300 for 5 years of labor warranty.
Integrating a humidifier or an air purifier with a furnace system can significantly enhance indoor air quality and comfort. Humidifiers work by adding moisture to the air, which can be essential in preventing dryness that often occurs during colder months when the furnace is frequently running. Proper humidity levels help alleviate issues like dry skin, irritation in the respiratory tract, and static electricity. They also can make the air feel warmer, potentially reducing heating costs. Installing a new humidifier along with your furnace will cost about $700 to $1000 depending on the model you choose.
On the other hand, air purifiers are crucial for removing contaminants such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens from the air. When combined with a furnace, air purifiers ensure that the air circulating through your heating system is not only warm but also clean and healthy. This combination is particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions, enhancing overall respiratory health and indoor comfort. Installing a new purifier along with your furnace will cost about $300 to $600 depending on the model you choose.
Some contractors offer unreasonably low prices due to a lack of necessary equipment, insurance, and licenses. Always consult a specialist and consider all factors before making a purchase. Visit www.hvacnearme.ca for more information and to explore our products.
Note: Prices and specifications are based on data available for Canada and specifically for Toronto. For more detailed and updated information, please visit our website.