Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all gas furnace installations in Greater Vancouver require permits from your local municipality and must be performed by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas contractor. We obtain all necessary permits and handle inspections as part of our service—you don't need to do anything.

From initial assessment to completed installation typically takes 1-3 weeks. This includes: initial consultation (same day), quote preparation (1-2 days), ordering equipment (3-7 days), permit approval (2-5 days), and installation day (6-12 hours). We can expedite for urgent situations.

Your heat will be off only during the actual installation day (6-12 hours). We schedule installations to minimize inconvenience and work efficiently. If you have special needs (infants, elderly, medical equipment), let us know and we'll arrange expedited installation or temporary heating solutions.

Clear access to your furnace area by removing stored items. Ensure a clear path from your entrance to the furnace location. Secure pets in a separate area. Plan to be home during installation for questions and final walkthrough. We provide detailed preparation instructions when scheduling.

Absolutely. We use floor protection and drop cloths throughout the process. After installation, we thoroughly clean the work area, remove all debris, properly dispose of your old furnace, and vacuum the installation area. Your home will be cleaner than when we arrived.

Single-stage furnaces run at 100% capacity whenever on—less efficient and less comfortable. Two-stage models have 65% and 100% settings, running at low stage most of the time for better efficiency and comfort. Modulating furnaces adjust in 1% increments from 40-100%, providing ultimate efficiency and the most consistent comfort. We recommend two-stage minimum for Vancouver homes.

Variable-speed blowers adjust precisely to your home's needs, eliminating hot/cold spots and temperature swings. They operate much quieter (40-50 decibels vs. 70-80), consume 60-75% less electricity, provide better air filtration through continuous circulation, and significantly improve comfort. This technology is one of the biggest advances in furnace design.

All brands we install (Lennox, Trane, Carrier, Goodman, Amana, Rheem, Bosch) are reliable choices. Premium brands like Lennox and Trane offer maximum efficiency and features. Value brands like Goodman and Amana provide excellent efficiency at lower cost. We recommend based on your budget, priorities, and home requirements—there's no single 'best' brand for everyone.

Standard 1-inch filters should be changed monthly during heating season, every 2-3 months during shoulder seasons. High-efficiency 4-5 inch media filters last 6-12 months. Variable-speed furnaces run more continuously, so filters may need more frequent changes. We provide specific recommendations based on your system, home, and filter type during installation.

While not required, smart thermostats add 8-15% to your efficiency savings through optimized scheduling and remote control. They're particularly valuable with variable-speed furnaces. Many qualify for additional rebates. We can install professional-grade smart thermostats as part of your upgrade, or your new furnace will work with most existing programmable thermostats.

Furnace sizing requires professional heat loss calculation considering your home's square footage, insulation, windows, air sealing, and Vancouver's climate. Oversized furnaces short-cycle and waste energy; undersized units can't maintain comfort. We perform detailed calculations—never simply match your old furnace size. Modern efficiency often means you need less capacity than your old unit.

Yes, but payback is longer than in colder climates. Vancouver's 2,500-3,000 heating degree days means your furnace runs frequently but not extremely. The difference between 95% and 98% AFUE saves an additional 3% annually. For homes spending $1,400/year on heating, that's $40-50/year extra savings. Over 15 years, the additional $600-750 savings may or may not justify premium models—we help you calculate exact ROI.

Vancouver's mild climate makes heat pumps very efficient. However, gas furnaces remain more cost-effective for primary heating in most cases due to natural gas pricing. The best solution is often a dual-fuel system: heat pump for mild weather (above 5°C), gas furnace for cold snaps. This hybrid approach maximizes efficiency year-round and may qualify for enhanced rebates.

Not necessarily, but adding central AC during furnace replacement saves installation costs since ductwork and electrical are already being worked on. Vancouver summers are warming, making AC increasingly desirable. If you're replacing your furnace, it's the perfect time to add cooling. Variable-speed furnaces work exceptionally well with AC for optimal comfort.

BC Building Code and Technical Safety BC require: sealed combustion for new installs, carbon monoxide detectors, proper combustion air, gas line pressure testing, electrical code compliance, and permit inspections. All our installations exceed these requirements. We're fully licensed and ensure your new furnace meets current codes—important for insurance and resale.