Your old gas furnace starts up, but it makes noise during the night and doesn’t maintain adequate heating in each room of your house. The cold season is about to begin, and now you’re faced with an expensive decision—either installing a new gas furnace or going for a heat pump.

Now, let’s find out which one wins when you have to choose between furnaces installation and replacement in Markham.

How Does Each System Heat Your House?

A gas furnace uses natural gas to heat up air and then circulates the hot air in your ductwork. It’s a common option for many houses in Markham, particularly when you have gas piping and ductwork.

Heat pumps operate using different principles. Electricity is used by a heat pump to transfer heat from the outside air into your home. During the hot season, heat pumps can be reversed to cool your home.

Which Handles Winters Better in Markham?

A heat pump will heat throughout the winter season; however, its performance level will be affected by dropping outdoor temperatures. Cold climate heat pumps are designed to work in cooler temperatures, and some homes may require auxiliary heating when outdoor temperatures are very low.

According to Natural Resources Canada, cold climate heat pumps can work outdoors in temperatures of “as low as –30°C.” You should ask the installer about the temperature capability of the heat pump and auxiliary heating arrangements.

Compare Cost Up Front And Cost To Run

Decide based on your own measurements rather than a blanket statement for all homes.

The cost of replacing the gas furnace could be lower because your house has central air and the ducts will work. A heat pump might be more costly up front, particularly if there’s need for electrical work, ductwork modifications, and supplemental heating.

Get an estimate including the cost of the equipment, labor, electrical work, duct modifications, controls, permits if needed, warranties, and the cost of disposing of the old equipment.

Cost to run depends on your local cost of natural gas and electricity, how well your home is insulated, the efficiency of the system, the setting on the thermostat, and how much you use supplemental heat. But your savings will depend on a number of factors.

Under What Circumstances Would a Gas Furnace Be Appropriate?

A new gas furnace might be right for you if your existing system needs replacement, you’re on gas service, and you wish to continue using your present heating system.

Before selecting a new furnace, you must examine the age of the furnace, its maintenance record, its energy usage, and the condition of any related equipment. You should find out from the technician why repair is not sensible anymore and if the estimate covers all the work.

When Might a Heat Pump Be Worth Considering?

A heat pump could be considered if you require heating and cooling equipment, or if you want to heat using electricity. The installer should also calculate the heat loss in your house and inform you about its performance in the cold season.

You could also ask about hybrid systems consisting of a heat pump and a gas furnace, whereby the system uses one or the other depending on conditions.

Do You Need to Fix Or Replace Your Furnace?

If your furnace has a single problem and everything else works just fine, then repairs might be the way to go. If you have recurring problems, if big components are breaking, and if comfort and performance have declined, then weigh the cost of repair against replacement.

For a furnace repair in Markham, request diagnostics before agreeing to any repairs. And for furnace installation in Markham, ask about system sizing, the entire price of the project, the warranty, and an explanation as to why the new system meets your needs.

At Air Leaders, we provide heating solutions in Markham including furnace repair and installation & heat pump repairs and installations in Markham.

What to Consider Before Deciding?

- What is included in the written estimate?

- What are the yearly costs of each alternative?

- What is my home’s heat loss, and how was it determined?

- What warranties are there on equipment and installation?

- Do I require any additional heat or electrical modifications?

- How much heating capacity will this heat pump have at cold outdoor temperatures?

Your Questions – Answered

1. Is a heat pump better than a gas furnace in Markham?

Neither will suit everyone; compare capacity in cold weather, cost of installation, power rates, requirements for air conditioning, and options for alternative heat.

2. Will a heat pump work in the wintertime in Ontario?

Certainly, although cold climate systems may be required and production rates depend on the specific system; ask about capacity at winter temperatures and alternative sources.

3. Are gas furnaces cheaper to operate?

It depends on the rates of gas versus power, efficiency levels of the furnace, and the usage pattern.

4. Could I use my gas furnace and add a heat pump too?

Very possibly you could create a hybrid system although compatibility needs to be assessed as well as proper controls, ducting, and changeover points in your house.

5. Do I need a new furnace or repair my current one?

Consider its age, repair history, safety, reliability, and likely future costs. Have a qualified technician inspect it before deciding.

Pick The Right System For Your Home

Don’t wait for a frigid night to take a hasty decision. Compare between a gas furnace and a cold climate heat pump in terms of your home heating requirements, installation estimates, and operating costs.

And if your existing system is breaking down, trust Air Leaders for professional repairs and replacements in Markham.