Furnace Repair Cost in Ontario
If your furnace is experiencing problems and is in need of repair, it’s important to know how furnace repair cost can vary depending on its type and the source of the problem or malfunction.
Trying to make it through the Ontario winter with a broken furnace is a tough situation in itself. The situation can become even more unfortunate if you have no idea how much the repair is going to cost you. Luckily, we’re here to provide you with that knowledge. In this article we will be taking a look at several of the factors that affect furnace repair cost so you can be prepared and knowledgeable before the bill comes.
We will also be discussing the causes of different kinds of furnace damage and providing you with some essential furnace maintenance tips that can help you avoid such damage to your home’s equipment.
Average Furnace Repair Cost in Ontario
On average, homeowners in Ontario can expect to pay between $130 to $460 to repair their furnace. The cost for furnace repairs vary depending on whether you have an electric, gas, or oil furnace.
Oil and gas furnaces work similarly and share the same functions, so they share a similar cost to repair. Typically, repairing an oil or gas furnace will cost between $320 to $1250.
When electric furnaces need a repair it often means that an electric component needs to be replaced. Replacing an electrical part of a furnace will cost between $60 to $250. On average, the total cost for an electric furnace repair is $315.
What are the causes of furnace problems?
Most furnace problems can be avoided with proper maintenance. For this reason, it’s important that you know what can lead to a malfunctioning furnace and how you can take care of your furnace to avoid such problems.
If you notice any changes in how your furnace is operating, then there might be a reason to suspect the need for repair. Many furnace problems are ignored by homeowners until they turn into bigger problems that require expensive repairs. Noticing changes in your furnace’s operation will help you solve the problem before it’s too late.
Now let’s look at the factors that cause common furnace problems:
Unprofessional Installation
One of the most common causes of furnace problems is an amateur installation. Furnaces are an expensive piece of equipment, so hiring just anyone to do the installation could lead to a costly repair in the future. Repairing a poorly installed furnace often costs more than hiring a professional HVAC technician to install your furnace in the first place.
We always recommend that you hire a licensed technician to do your furnace installation as they know the proper installation process and can avoid the problems and dangers that arise from poor installation. Trying to install a furnace yourself is never a good idea.
This is especially true if you have a gas furnace. Improper installation of a gas furnace can lead to dangerous gas leaks.
Poor Maintenance
Maintaining your furnace is easy and can avoid the need for expensive repairs later down the road. The important maintenance checks to follow to keep your furnace running smoothly include:
- Check your furnace filter for leaks
- Replace your furnace filter as needed (generally, every 90 days)
- Regularly check your furnace filter usage
Thermostat Problems
Furnace thermostats can deteriorate over time causing issues that affect your control over your home heating. It’s important that you replace your furnace thermostat when you notice a decline in function.
Clogged Filter
When your furnace filter gets dirty and clogged, your furnace starts operating less efficiently. The dirt, dust, and debris trapped in the filter ruin the air quality in your home and make it harder for your furnace to produce heat efficiently. To keep your furnace running efficiently, we recommend you change your furnace filter every 3 months at minimum.
Poorly Maintained Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is a vital component of every furnace that ensures that gas is no longer emitting when the flame is off. When the flame sensor is poorly maintained and accumulates filth it can no longer detect whether the flame is off or on. Furnaces can stop working when the flame sensor becomes faulty due to poor maintenance.
When performing your regular furnace maintenance, check to make sure that the flame sensor is clean. If not, you should clean off the dust and debris covering the sensor.
Strange Furnace Sounds
Many homeowners will ignore a change in the sound of their furnace, but this is most often a sign that there’s a problem at hand. The strange noises coming from your furnace can vary (squeaks, rattles, bangs), but if they’re loud enough that you notice them then that tells you that something needs fixing. We recommend that you hire a professional HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the problem.
What factors influence furnace repair cost?
Outside of what type of furnace you have in your home, there are several other variables that influence furnace repair cost. These factors are:
Furnace Problem
The source of the issue itself is usually what determines the cost of the repair. For example, heat exchanger damage can cost between $105 to $205 to repair, while a gas line leak can cost between $550 to $800 to repair. We will take a closer look at the costs associated with various kinds of furnace repairs later in this article.
Service Charge
Service charges vary depending on the contractor you choose to hire for your repair. Service charges can range from $45 to $120 and cover inspection, diagnosis, and repair costs. Service charges vary depending on the expertise of the HVAC technician and how much they charge for their time.
Warranty
Repairs will be significantly cheaper if your furnace is still under warranty. Often when your furnace is under warranty you won’t have to spend a dime on repairs. Once the warranty expires is when the furnace repair cost comes out of your own pocket.
Parts Availability
If your furnace has got a faulty part, then it will need to be replaced during the repair process. When parts are available locally, the cost to replace them is moderate. However, if parts need to be sourced outside the province or internationally, the cost to replace that part suddenly rises dramatically. In these cases, it’s often more cost-effective to purchase a new furnace outright than replace an expensive part with international shipping.
Cost of Fixing Common Furnace Problems
Not every furnace repair is equal. There are a number of things that could happen to your furnace that cause it to act up. So, let’s get more specific and look at the furnace repair cost for common furnace issues.
Blower Motor Problem
The blower motor is what moves air through your home’s air duct system. Having dirty air ducts in your home could lead to blower motor damage that requires repair. Repairing a blower motor will cost between $150 to $450.
Faulty Thermostat
The furnace thermostat monitors the temperature in your home and notifies the furnace when to stop and start its heating routine. When your thermostat stops working properly, it becomes unable to maintain a stable temperature in your home. Repairing a faulty thermostat will cost between $80 to $300.
Damaged Flame Sensor
Your furnace’s flame sensor is in need of repair if it becomes too dirty and causes the system to turn off and on very frequently. The repair cost for a furnace flame sensor ranges from $90 to $300.
Water Leak
The type of furnace you have will determine how much it will cost to repair a water leak. A water leak repair can cost anywhere from $250 to $1000.
Gas Line Leak
A gas leak can be identified by a strong gas smell in the atmosphere. Gas leaks should be treated seriously, and a repair should be scheduled as soon as possible. If you suspect there’s a gas leak in your home, get out of your home immediately and call a professional technician to have a look at the problem. Repairing a gas line leak will cost between $550 and $800.
Faulty Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is in charge of transferring heat from one place to another. It ensures that the air being circulated in your home stays heated. Carbon monoxide is what does the heating, so a cracked heat exchanger could mean a dangerous carbon monoxide leak in your home. Having a carbon monoxide detector close to your furnace is a good way to know if/when a leak occurs. The cost to repair a heat exchanger is between $110 to $210.
Faulty Ball-Bearing
You’ll know when you have a faulty ball-bearing because your furnace will start making an annoying sound. Ignoring this sound could lead to bigger furnace problems in the future. The cost to repair furnace ball-bearings is between $100 to $250.
Faulty Motor Belt
When there’s a problem with the furnace’s motor belt it will start making a squeaking noise. Repairing a damaged motor belt should cost less than $250.
Other furnace parts and their associated repair costs include:
- Draft inducer motor: $520 to $720
- Gas Valve: $250 to $1000
- Relay Switch: $160 to $300
- Blower Motor Capacitor $160 to $450
- Transformer: $150 to $175
- Evaporator and condenser coil: $600 to $2000
- Flue Pipe: $420 to $800
- Oil combustion chamber: $250 to $600
Furnace Part Replacement Cost
Repairing a furnace part could be impossible if the component is totally worn out or simply dead. In this case, you’ll need to replace the part. These are the costs associated with replacing some crucial furnace components:
Heat Exchanger Replacement
The heat exchanger produces the heat that’s circulating throughout your home. This component becomes damaged after it’s been used for a long period of time. A damaged heat exchanger can result in a carbon monoxide leak in your home. Replacing a heat exchanger will cost between $500 to $1500.
Blower Motor Replacement
Poor furnace maintenance often leads to irreparable damage to the blower motor. Cleaning the blower motor regularly will keep it in good shape for the lifespan of your furnace. If left unmaintained, replacing a blower motor will cost you up to $1600.
Control and Circuit Board Replacement
The control and circuit board is what manages the operation of your furnace. Replacing a circuit board will cost between $90 to $650 depending on if it’s a top-tier or a cheaper model.
Gas Valve Replacement
The gas valve is what allows gas or propane to reach your furnace. To replace it, it’s going to cost you between $225 and $650.
Draft Inducer Motor Replacement
The draft inducer motor is what guides gasses into the heat exchanger. Replacing its fan blade will cost just $24 but replacing the whole draft inducer motor can cost up to $1650.
Coil Replacement
Replacing a furnace coil can be very expensive. A furnace coil replacement can cost up to $2500, however cheaper brands exist on the market that could lower that cost to as low as $600.
Other furnace parts and their replacement costs include:
- Ignitor: $250 to $500
- Thermocouple: $250
- Fuel Pipe: $250 to $820
- Replay Switch: $150 to $300
- Flame Sensor: <$260
- Combustion Chamber: $250 to $650
- Transformer: $20 to $40
- Thermostat: $500 to $600
- Filter: $30.
As you can tell, the cost to repair a faulty furnace ranges greatly depending on what the problem is. The average furnace repair cost in Ontario is between $135 and $460. On the other hand, purchasing a new furnace will cost thousands upfront. If you’re in need of a furnace replacement but are worried about the upfront cost, there are rental and financing options available that make new high efficiency equipment affordable to all homeowners. If you’re repairing or replacing your furnace, only trust a licensed and trained HVAC technician to do the job.
If you have any further questions regarding your furnace repair cost or have any other HVAC related concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. Our highly trained and experienced technicians are more than prepared to assist you with any of your HVAC problems. We provide efficient and quick furnace replacement done by our team of HVAC professionals. We offer a variety of furnace rental, purchasing, and financing options. Give us a call at 1-855-998-2998 or fill out our online request form and we will be happy to assist you with your request.
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