Furnace and air conditioning service in Smithville

It can be, and it is a fair question to ask before replacing a furnace. A cold-climate heat pump can handle much of the heating season, and a hybrid set-up keeps the furnace as backup for the coldest weeks. The answer depends on the house, the ductwork and the rebates on offer when you decide. Our guide on heat pumps in an Ontario winter covers the trade-offs, and heat pumps explains the options.

Often, but not automatically. A furnace that age is usually a mid-efficiency model, parts can be harder to find, and the heat exchanger has been through a lot of winters. A small repair on a furnace that is otherwise sound can still make sense. A major failure, especially a cracked heat exchanger, usually means replacement. A new furnace should be sized to the house and its ductwork, not to the old label, and in post-war houses the original ducts are often undersized. Ask for both prices, repair and replacement, then compare them with our page on furnace installation and replacement.

The basics are the same for most systems: the filter, burners, flame sensor and igniter, the blower, the safety controls and a check that the furnace is venting properly. On the cooling side, the outdoor coil, the indoor coil and the condensate drain. Then it depends on the house. In newer homes the condensate drain, its trap, the side-wall vents and the HRV filter get the attention. In older homes it is the venting, the chimney and the draft. Keep the service records, since manufacturers often ask for them on a warranty claim. See furnace and AC maintenance.