For a standard gas furnace, all-in installed pricing in Ontario currently ranges from $4,500–$7,000 for a mid-efficiency unit (80 AFUE) up to $8,000–$15,000 for a premium high-efficiency system (96+ AFUE) from a top brand like Lennox, Carrier, or Trane.

The spread is driven by equipment efficiency, brand, size (BTU output matched to your home), and site conditions — specifically whether ductwork modifications or electrical upgrades are needed.

A new central AC unit, fully installed, typically runs $3,500–$6,500 for a mid-range 13–16 SEER unit sized for a typical Ontario home (2–3 ton). High-efficiency or larger systems (18+ SEER, 4–5 ton) can reach $7,500–$12,000+.

Key cost factors include:

• Tonnage — must be properly sized to your home's heat load
• SEER rating — higher efficiency = higher upfront cost, lower operating cost
• Refrigerant type — newer R-410A and R-32 systems are required as older R-22 is phased out
• Line set and electrical — if the existing line set or breaker needs upgrading, add $200–$800

The industry-standard rule of thumb: if the repair cost exceeds 50% of replacement cost, and the system is more than 10–12 years old, replace it.

More specifically:

• A furnace or AC under 8 years old with a single-component failure (ignitor, capacitor, contactor) is almost always worth repairing — these repairs run $200–$600
• A 15-year-old furnace needing a heat exchanger replacement ($1,000–$2,000) is rarely worth fixing — you're putting major money into an aging, inefficient system
• A 12-year-old AC needing a compressor replacement ($1,500–$2,500) is borderline — weigh it against a full replacement with a new warranty

The most common furnace failures in Ontario, from cheapest to most expensive to fix:

• Dirty or clogged filter — causes the furnace to overheat and shut down. Replace the filter (free if you do it yourself) and reset the unit.
• Ignitor failure — hot surface ignitors fail with age. Replacement: $200–$350
• Flame sensor dirty or failed — causes the burner to light then immediately shut off. Cleaning or replacement: $150–$300
• Inducer motor failure — the motor that exhausts combustion gases. Replacement: $400–$900
• Control board failure — the furnace's brain. Replacement: $500–$1,200
• Cracked heat exchanger — a safety hazard that allows combustion gases into living space. Usually means replacing the furnace. Repair: $1,000–$2,000+

Warm air from a central AC usually points to one of these issues:

• Low refrigerant / refrigerant leak — the most common cause. The system can't transfer heat without adequate refrigerant. Recharge + leak repair: $350–$900
• Failed capacitor — the capacitor starts the compressor motor. A very common, inexpensive fix. Replacement: $200–$400
• Dirty condenser coils — outdoor unit coils clogged with debris, reducing heat transfer. Cleaning: $150–$300
• Failed compressor — the most expensive repair. On an older system, replacement often makes more sense. Repair: $1,500–$2,800

Annual maintenance is strongly recommended for both your furnace and AC — and it's often required to maintain manufacturer warranty coverage.

• Furnace — service every fall before heating season. A technician cleans the burners, checks the heat exchanger for cracks, tests safety controls, and measures combustion efficiency.
• Air Conditioner — service every spring before cooling season. Includes cleaning coils, checking refrigerant charge, lubricating moving parts, and testing electrical components.

An annual tune-up runs $120–$280 per unit and pays for itself many times over in prevented breakdowns, lower energy bills, and extended equipment life. Systems that are regularly maintained typically last 18–25 years instead of 12–15.

Most furnace or AC replacements are completed in a single day:

• Furnace only — 3–5 hours for a standard swap-out
• AC only — 3–5 hours including outdoor unit, coil, and line set connections
• Both furnace + AC together — 6–10 hours, sometimes split across 2 days
• Heat pump system — 1–2 days depending on complexity and whether ductwork changes are needed

Ductwork modifications, electrical panel upgrades, or custom venting can add time. Your installer will flag this during the on-site assessment so there are no surprises.

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) measures what percentage of gas burned actually heats your home. Higher is better.

• 80 AFUE — minimum standard, single-stage, more affordable upfront. 20 cents of every dollar in gas is lost through exhaust.
• 92–96 AFUE — high-efficiency, two-stage or modulating. Only 4–8% of gas is wasted. Requires PVC venting (not traditional chimney).
• 96–98 AFUE — top tier, modulating gas valve, variable-speed blower. Maximum comfort and efficiency. Best long-term value in Ontario's climate.

In Ontario's cold climate, 96+ AFUE is almost always the right choice for a long-term owner — the energy savings typically pay back the premium within 5–8 years, and the system qualifies for rebates that shrink the upfront cost further.

If both units are 12+ years old, replacing them together makes a lot of sense — and saves money. Here's why:

• Labour cost savings — a contractor doing both jobs in one visit charges less than two separate mobilizations
• Matched system efficiency — a new high-efficiency furnace paired with an old AC creates a mismatched system that can't deliver its rated SEER performance
• Warranty alignment — some manufacturers require matching equipment for full warranty coverage
• One disruption — you go through the installation inconvenience once instead of twice

Modern cold-climate heat pumps are now a genuinely good option for Ontario homeowners — with a caveat. Cold-climate models (rated to –25°C) from brands like Mitsubishi, Bosch, and Carrier can efficiently heat your home through most of an Ontario winter.

However, most Ontario installers recommend a dual-fuel system for full Ontario winters: a heat pump handles heating down to about –15°C (where it's most efficient), then a gas furnace takes over for the coldest days. This gives you the efficiency of a heat pump for ~80% of heating hours while keeping the reliability of gas for peak cold.

• Air-source heat pump install: $6,000–$14,000
• Federal Greener Homes Grant can offset up to $5,000
• Ontario Clean Home Heating Initiative may provide additional rebates

A mini-split is a type of heat pump — the terms are often used interchangeably but they refer to different configurations:

• Mini-split (ductless) — wall-mounted indoor unit connected to an outdoor compressor. No ductwork needed. Ideal for additions, garages, older homes without ducts, or rooms that need independent temperature control. Single-zone installs start at $2,800.
• Ducted heat pump — works like a central AC/furnace system, using your existing ductwork. Heats and cools the whole home. Costs more upfront but handles whole-home conditioning from one system. Typically $6,000–$14,000.

For a home with existing ductwork, a ducted heat pump is usually the better whole-home solution. For a home without ducts, or for supplementing a specific area, a mini-split is the smarter choice.

Yes. In Ontario, gas furnace installation and repair must be performed by a licensed gas technician (G1 or G2 licence) under the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Refrigerant handling for AC and heat pump systems requires a 310A (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) or 313A certificate under the Ontario College of Trades.

Every contractor in the contractor-finder.ca network carries the required licences and valid liability insurance. Unlicensed HVAC work can void your equipment warranty, create insurance issues, and — in the case of gas — pose serious safety risks.

The tool takes about 60–90 seconds. Here's how it works:

• Tell us your system type — furnace, AC, heat pump, boiler, or mini-split — and whether you need a repair or replacement quote.
• Scan or enter your nameplate details — take a photo of the label on your unit or enter the model/serial number manually. The nameplate tells us brand, age, tonnage, SEER, and refrigerant.
• Get your estimate instantly — we show you repair cost range and replacement cost range side-by-side, with a recommendation based on your system's age and condition.
• A contractor follows up — a licensed HVAC pro in your area contacts you within 1 business day to confirm scope and book a free on-site assessment.

Emergency service is available in most Ontario markets — especially in the GTA, Hamilton, Ottawa, and other major centres. Most contractors in our network offer same-day or next-morning emergency response for no-heat situations in winter and no-cool situations in peak summer.

Note that emergency or after-hours service calls typically carry a premium of $80–$150 over standard daytime rates. If the situation isn't urgent, booking a regular appointment will save you that premium.

When you submit your quote, select "ASAP — Emergency" as your timeline and we'll prioritize matching you with a contractor who can respond quickly.

HVAC warranties in Ontario typically have two components:

• Parts / manufacturer warranty — heat exchangers on quality furnaces are often covered for lifetime limited. Compressors on AC and heat pumps carry 5–12 year coverage depending on brand and registration. Parts warranties generally require equipment registration within 30–60 days of installation.
• Labour warranty — most reputable contractors provide a 1–2 year labour warranty on their installation work.

Premium brands like Lennox, Carrier, Trane, and Daikin generally have stronger warranty terms than budget brands. Always confirm warranty terms in writing, including whether annual maintenance is required to keep warranty coverage active — most manufacturers require it.