Buying a Furnace : Single-Stage, Two-Stage, or Modulating?

One of the decisions you’ll have to make when looking for a heating system replacement is between single-stage, two-stage, and modulating models. We can help you choose which is best for your family and budget, but here’s some information to get you started:

• Single-stage furnaces have just two settings: On and Off. These furnaces tend to be more basic, less efficient, and aren’t as quiet as the more sophisticated two-stage and modulating types.

• Two-stage furnaces include a High and Low setting in the On position. Meaning, they can run at a lower level most of the time to maintain your home’s temperature better. It also means operation is quieter and more efficient, so you’ll save money on energy bills.

• Modulating furnaces are the most advanced ones available. So, they have multiple settings when running and can make incremental adjustments to the heating output to maximize fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and temperature consistency.

Who to Call When You Need a Furnace Replacement

City Home Comfort has been the go-to Toronto heating system contractor for thousands of homeowners annually. We’re proud to have served the community for 40 years.

When you’re looking for the best quality with fast and reliable furnace installations, you can count on us to get the job done right.

Our services include:

Installation
Maintenance and repairs
Emergency service
Free estimates

So when you contact us, we’ll send out one of our trained and experienced technicians. They will assess your home, your needs, help you choose the right make, model, and give you a free estimate for what the project might cost.

After your furnace is installed, you can rely on us for quick and dependable service for all your furnace maintenance and repairs.

Gas Furnace Warranty Coverage

Furnace warranties are better than ever, so your investment will be protected for longer. So, if something goes wrong or a major component fails, we will repair or replace it.

We always recommend furnaces that include full comprehensive coverage. Nearly every brand and model furnace contains 10 years of parts and 10 years of labour warranty. We also register your new furnace with the manufacturer, so you don’t have to.

When should I upgrade my furnace?

Know when to call in for a repair and when to throw in the towel for your old heating system? Repairing your furnace might sound like a more affordable solution now, but it may not be the best choice in the long run. Here are a few signs that it might be time to replace your furnace.

• Your furnace is more than 15 years old. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years. The older they get, the more problems and potentially pricey repairs will arise, especially if they haven’t been getting annual maintenance.

• Your heating bill has increased. If your home heating bill keeps growing year after year, it could be a sign your furnace is running less efficiently.

• Uneven temperatures. Your furnace runs to keep the temperature of your entire home comfortable. Suppose you notice differences in temperature between different rooms. In that case, you may need to call a professional duct cleaning company to suck up all the dust and particles stuck inside the vents of your heating system.

Understand that rooms with direct runs from the furnace or rooms closer to the furnace will have more heat. Also, rooms with windows and doors will have more difficulty holding heat.

Balancing an HVAC system is tricky, but some smart home devices can help you, such as the Flair smart vent.

Your furnace is making strange noises. Have you heard any banging, popping, rattling, or squealing noises from your furnace? Old furnaces often start to make some strange noises as they get toward the end of their life.

 Can I buy furnace insurance?

What you’re talking about is a warranty. There is no such thing as a proper insurance plan for your heating system.

Some companies offer “heating protection plans,” which seem nice.

However, after reading the fine print, you can see that these plans don’t cover the expensive parts.

The plans that tell you otherwise are mini maintenance contracts from companies that rent you furnaces.

What about rental and comparing it to purchasing?

With a parts an labour warranty your purchase has the same coverage for 10 years. 

Let’s do the Math on a purchase of a furnace.

• A new furnace total purchase includes 10 years of complete coverage warranty with parts and labour.
• So, if you buy a new furnace installed, you might pay an average of $5,100.
• You can have it regularly serviced for about $110 every year.
• At 10 years, you’re paying $6,200.
• At 15 years, you’re paying $6,750.

Now lets do the math on rental.

• Includes full coverage as long as you’re paying monthly payments.
• The furnace rental cost is $90 per month.
• The life expectancy of your equipment is 15 – 20 years.
• At 10 yerars, you’re paying $10,800
• At 15 years, you’re paying $16,200.

Click here to learn more about the truth about HVAC rental/lease contracts.

To sum it up, you pay at least twice the price if you rent.

While a furnace rental is a low upfront price, it costs you much more in the long run.  City Home Comfort has 0% financing offers to be very consumer-friendly and as fair as possible.