A new gas furnace can represent a significant expense. It’s also crucial to keeping you and your family comfortable inside while Mother Nature does her worst outside. But aside from the occasional maintenance issue, most of us never think about our furnace until it’s time for a replacement. However, if your old gas furnace in your Ottawa home is in need of replacement, here are some things to keep in mind.

Know When It’s Time To Replace That Aging Furnace

First up is realizing that your old gas furnace isn’t doing you any favors. Most furnaces are intended to last about 10 or 15 years, so if it’s been decades since you last replaced your furnace, you could be due. And it’s not only about safety and not being caught in the depths of winter when it gives out — a new furnace for your Ottawa home will be much more energy efficient, helping you save a significant amount on your utility bills.

Determine Your Actual Need

Just because a furnace came with your home or it’s been there for years doesn’t mean that it’s ideally suited to your home and needs. After all, if you’re asking an underpowered furnace to heat a gigantic home, that could send your energy bills sky-high. Or, if your existing furnace is too big for your needs, you can save money with a smaller, more affordable unit.

Choose the Right Size, Brand and Model

While there’s certainly no shortage of advice that you’ll get if you ask friends and family their opinions on what gas furnace is right for your Ottawa home, only an HVAC professional can truly evaluate your need, as well as what brand and model is the best fit. Regardless of what you might read, there’s no such thing as a “best” furnace because every home and climate is different. But if you end up with the wrong furnace without consulting a professional, you’ll only have yourself to blame.

Verify Warranties and Rebates

Most gas furnaces come with warranties that tell you how long the furnace is expected to work in your Ottawa home, as well as what kind of rebates you can get on the purchase of your new furnace. You obviously won’t want to buy a new furnace that has a non-existent warranty, just like you won’t want to miss out on significant savings by neglecting those rebates. If you have any questions, check with the Provincial or Federal governments or ask your installer to see if you qualify.

Don’t Forget About Financing

Buying a new gas furnace for your Ottawa home may be no problem for some, but it might represent a significant hurdle for others. If you don’t have the ability to spend thousands on the price of a new furnace, you may qualify for financing options that can help split that lump-sum payment into more manageable pieces.

Only Hire Competent Installers

A gas furnace is a great thing when it keeps you warm and cozy inside when it’s cold outside. But a problem during the furnace installation can leave you with a furnace that isn’t working optimally or that may be unsafe. After all, we are talking about gas here. By hiring a competent furnace installer, you’ll be protecting yourself against problems or inefficiencies with that new furnace.

Here at Climate Works, we sell, install and repair gas furnaces in Ottawa. Contact us today to get a quote or to schedule a free consultation.