Purchase guides

Home Comfort Purchase Guides for Ontario Homeowners

Three plain-language guides for the biggest equipment decisions in an Ontario home: a furnace, a heat pump and a water heater. Read the one that fits before you start collecting quotes.

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Purchase guides

Furnace Replacement GuideA practical walkthrough of when to replace a gas furnace, how single-stage, two-stage and modulating models differ...View page Heat Pump Selection GuideHow to choose between ducted, ductless and hybrid heat pumps in an Ontario home, what to ask about cold weather, backup...View page Water Heater Selection GuideCompare natural-draft and power-vent gas tanks, electric tanks, gas and electric tankless units and heat pump water...View page

Three big decisions, three practical guides

Furnaces, heat pumps and water heaters are the pieces of equipment most Ontario homeowners buy once or twice in the time they own a house. They are also the purchases where a quick decision under pressure, usually in the middle of January, costs the most. These guides are here so you can slow the decision down before the pressure arrives.

Each guide is written from the service side of the job: what we look at during a site review, what changes the scope, and which questions are worth asking any contractor. You will find comparison tables, cost factors instead of made-up price ranges, and links to the installation, repair and maintenance pages that match each decision.

Getting more from a guide before you request a quote

Start with the guide that matches the decision in front of you, then read the others only if they touch your plan.
Write down what you already know: the age of the equipment, what you heat with, any noises, comfort problems or recent renovations.
Photograph the equipment nameplate. Model and serial numbers save time and help with warranty and rebate questions.
Use the cost-factor sections to compare quotes by scope first and total second.
Treat anything about sizing, venting, gas or electrical capacity as a question for your site review, not a final answer.

What a guide can and cannot settle

A guide gives you the vocabulary and the right questions. It cannot size your equipment, check your chimney or measure your electrical service. Those need a proper load calculation and a look at the house.

Pricing varies with equipment, venting, ductwork, installation complexity and warranty options; a quote follows a site review. When rebates come up, the information is Ontario-only and conditional, and you should confirm current rules with the program. If you are also weighing contractors, the checklist in choosing an HVAC contractor in Ontario works for any company, ours included.

Ready to talk through a specific project? Build My Quote collects the details we need to book a site review.

Ontario notes

Why these guides are written for Ontario

Climate decides the design

Ontario has cold winters and hot, humid summers, so heating load, cooling load and humidity all matter. A cold design day sizes heating equipment, while summer humidity affects air conditioner and heat pump choice. The guides treat sizing as a load calculation for your house, not a rule of thumb.

Housing stock and fuels

Many Ontario homes were built between the 1950s and the 1990s, with basements, masonry chimneys and tight mechanical rooms. Natural gas is common in towns and cities, with propane or electricity in other areas. Enbridge Gas is the main gas utility in much of the province, so venting and gas supply questions come up often.

Rules, permits and rebates

Gas work is regulated in Ontario, and electrical work follows the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Permits depend on the municipality and the job. Rebate programs are Ontario-specific, conditional and subject to funding at the time. The guides name these topics and tell you what to ask, not what to assume.

Help centre

Common questions

Do I need to read the guides in a particular order?

No. Each one stands on its own. If you are comparing heating options, read the furnace and heat pump guides together, since they share ideas about sizing, ductwork and controls.

Do the guides recommend specific brands?

No. They are written around selection criteria such as sizing, venting, warranty terms and serviceability. Brand and model choices come after a site review.

Can I get a price from a guide?

Not a reliable one. Pricing varies with equipment, venting, ductwork, installation complexity and warranty options, and a quote follows a site review. The guides explain what moves the price so you can read a quote with confidence.

Where do I find rebate and financing details?

Rebate information is Ontario-only and conditional, and it is covered on the rebates page. Financing, extended warranty and rental offers are different things from each other and are explained under financing and extended warranties.

Which should I plan first, a new furnace, a heat pump or a water heater?

Plan the one closest to failing, then check how it affects the others. A new furnace changes airflow for the air conditioner. A heat pump changes electrical needs. A water heater may share a chimney with an old furnace. Read the matching guide, write down the age and condition of each system, and ask for a site review.

How far ahead should I plan to replace a furnace or water heater in Ontario?

As early as you can, ideally before the cold season. A planned replacement leaves time to compare written quotes, check venting and electrical needs, and look at rebates and financing. An emergency replacement in a January cold snap leaves much less room to decide. If the equipment is old but working, an inspection report helps you plan.

Are the guides written only for Ontario homes?

Yes. They reflect Ontario conditions: cold winters, humid summers, natural gas and propane, older housing stock and Ontario-only rebate programs. Rules and equipment details can differ elsewhere. Even so, the guides are general information, so your own house, your municipality and the program rules at the time of purchase come first.

What should I have ready before I ask for a site review?

Photos of the equipment and its nameplate, a note of its age and any fault history, and your comfort goals. For electrical upgrades, add a photo of your electrical panel. Mention planned renovations and whether you rent or own. Build My Quote collects these in one form, or call +1 905-407-7353.

Can landlords and property managers use these guides?

Yes. The same questions apply to rental and multi-unit homes, with extra points such as tenant access, shared venting and who owns the equipment. For buildings, see property management HVAC. The guides do not cover industrial work, since our support is for homes, rentals and light commercial properties.

Can I use a guide to compare a quote from another company?

Yes. The cost-factor sections and the quote questions work for any contractor. Compare the written scope first: equipment model, sizing method, venting, permits, warranty terms and what is excluded. Then compare totals. For a longer checklist, read choosing an HVAC contractor in Ontario.

Quote and booking

Talk through my project

Share a few details and we will follow up. A written quote comes after a site review. There is no online checkout.

City and service type help us route your request
Urgency and property details let us prepare properly
Optional equipment photos speed up repairs and replacements

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Keep exploring

Choosing a ContractorA neutral checklist you can use with any heating, cooling or water heating contractor: scope, sizing...View page Ontario RebatesEligible Ontario customers may qualify for up to $7,500 depending on the program rules, equipment, property...View page Build My QuoteList the equipment and services you need and request a quote after a site review.View page