Heating and Cooling FAQ for Ottawa Homeowners

Most gas furnaces last about 15 to 20 years in Ottawa, where they run hard from October to April and face design temperatures near −25 °C. Yearly maintenance, regular filter changes and correct sizing push a furnace toward the longer end. Past 15 years, rising repair bills, uneven heat or a cracked heat exchanger are signs to start planning a replacement.

Check that the thermostat is set to Heat and has fresh batteries, the filter isn’t clogged, the furnace power switch and breaker are on, and the front panel is closed tight. In an Ottawa winter, also clear snow or ice from the furnace’s intake and exhaust pipes outside. If it still won’t run, call (613) 866-1869; emergency service is available 24/7.

Most furnace repairs in Ottawa cost $150 – $900, while major parts such as a blower motor, control board or inducer run $600 – $2,000. Repair usually makes sense on a furnace under about 12 years old. If the furnace is 15 or more years old, needs a major part or has a cracked heat exchanger, replacing it with a 96–98% AFUE model is often the better investment.

Change a standard 1-inch filter every 1 to 3 months during heating and cooling season, and check it monthly if you have pets, allergies or renovation dust. Thicker 4- to 5-inch media filters usually last 6 to 12 months. A clogged filter cuts airflow, raises energy use and can make the furnace overheat and shut off on a cold night.

In Canada, new gas furnaces must be at least 95% AFUE, so every new furnace is high-efficiency. Most Ottawa homeowners choose 96–98% AFUE models. The bigger comfort difference comes from the burner and blower: two-stage or modulating furnaces with variable-speed motors run longer at low output, giving steadier temperatures, quieter operation and better humidity control through a long winter.

Replacing a central air conditioner in Ottawa typically costs $4,000 – $8,000 installed, before rebates. Price depends on the unit’s size and efficiency, whether the indoor coil and refrigerant line set need replacing, and any electrical work. The final price depends on the home, the equipment and the venting or ductwork, and Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase.

Oria offers same-week AC installation in Ottawa, and many installs are finished in a single day. That matters in July, when humidex readings of 35 to 40 are common and a failed unit can make upstairs bedrooms unbearable. Timing depends on equipment availability and whether new electrical work, a pad or a new line set is needed.

Start with the simple causes: a dirty filter, a thermostat set to Fan instead of Cool, a tripped breaker, or an outdoor unit clogged with cottonwood fluff or grass clippings. If you see ice on the refrigerant lines, turn the AC off and run the fan to thaw it. Ongoing problems usually mean low refrigerant, a failed capacitor or a dirty coil. Most AC repairs cost $150 – $1,200.

R-22 refrigerant has been phased out, so recharging an older system is costly and only a short-term fix. If an R-22 unit has a refrigerant leak or a failed compressor, which costs $1,800 – $3,500 to replace, a new air conditioner is usually the better value. New equipment uses R-410A or the newer R-454B and R-32 refrigerants and is rated in SEER2.

New air conditioners and heat pumps are rated in SEER2, a stricter test than the old SEER. Ottawa’s cooling season is short, so a standard high-efficiency unit pays back faster than a top-tier one in most homes. Higher-SEER2 two-stage or variable-speed models are worth it for quieter operation and better dehumidification on muggy days, or when the unit is a heat pump that also heats.

Yes. Cold-climate heat pumps keep producing heat well below freezing, and many models are rated to run down to about −25 °C to −30 °C, though their capacity drops as it gets colder. Most Ottawa installs pair the heat pump with a gas furnace or electric backup for the coldest nights. Correct sizing and a sensible backup plan matter more than the brand.

A ducted cold-climate heat pump using existing ductwork typically costs $9,000 – $18,000 installed in Ottawa. A single-zone ductless mini-split runs $3,500 – $6,500, and a multi-zone system with 2 to 4 indoor heads runs $7,000 – $16,000. These are typical ranges before rebates. The final price depends on the home, the equipment and the venting or ductwork, and Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase.

It depends on gas and electricity rates. In Ottawa, natural gas is often cheaper per unit of heat on the coldest days, so many homeowners choose a hybrid system: the heat pump heats and cools most of the year, and the furnace takes over in deep cold. In Gatineau, low Hydro-Québec rates make all-electric heat pumps especially attractive, particularly for homes on baseboards.

A ductless mini-split can heat an open-concept bungalow, an addition or a finished basement very well, but most two-storey Ottawa homes need several indoor heads or a backup heat source for −25 °C nights. Mini-splits are a strong fit for homes on electric baseboards with no ductwork, where they also provide air conditioning in summer.

A 40- to 50-gallon gas tank water heater typically costs $1,800 – $3,200 installed in Ottawa, and a tankless water heater $3,500 – $6,500. Tankless costs more because it often needs a larger gas line and new venting. The final price depends on the home, the equipment and the venting or ductwork, and Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase.

Water heater rentals in Ontario typically cost about $25 – $45 per month, which adds up to roughly $3,600 – $6,500 over 12 years. Buying a gas tank heater costs $1,800 – $3,200 up front, so owning is usually cheaper over the tank’s life. Renting can still suit you if you want repairs covered and no upfront cost. Oria offers both.

A tankless water heater is worth it if you often run out of hot water, want to free up basement space or plan to stay in the home for years. It heats water on demand, so there is no tank of hot water losing heat around the clock. It does need regular descaling, especially on the hard well water common in rural areas around Ottawa.

Most gas hot water tanks last about 8 to 12 years. Warning signs include rusty water, rumbling or popping noises, water pooling at the base and a tank older than the date on its rating label. A leak from the bottom of the tank usually means the tank itself has failed and must be replaced. Oria offers 24/7 emergency water heater service.

Yes. In Ontario, gas piping and appliance connections must be done by a licensed gas technician, and the work falls under TSSA regulations. All Oria technicians hold gas licences. A gas line for a BBQ, range or dryer typically costs $350 – $1,000, depending on the distance from the meter or main line and how much finished wall or ceiling is in the way.

Leave the house right away with everyone inside. Don’t flip light switches, use a phone indoors or start a car in an attached garage. From outside, call Enbridge Gas’s emergency line or 911. Once the utility has made the home safe, Oria can find and repair the leak, pressure-test the line and safely reconnect your appliances.

A gas fireplace or insert typically costs $3,500 – $7,500 installed in Ottawa. The range depends on the unit, whether it’s an insert in an existing wood-burning fireplace or a new direct-vent installation, the venting route and the length of the gas line run. The final price depends on the home, the equipment and the venting or ductwork, and Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase.

Yes. In Ontario, homes with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage must have working carbon monoxide alarms outside every sleeping area. CO has no smell, and a cracked heat exchanger, a blocked vent or a poorly adjusted burner can release it. A yearly furnace inspection checks combustion and venting, and you should test your alarms monthly.

Yes. Oria offers financing from $49 per month, on approved credit, for new furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and other equipment. Financing lets you replace a failed system right away instead of getting by with space heaters or a struggling AC. Ask about it when you book your free quote, and Oria will explain the monthly options.

Estimates on new installations are free, including furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-splits, water heaters, gas lines and fireplaces. For repairs, a technician first diagnoses the problem, then gives you the price before any repair work begins. Reviewers often note that Oria’s final invoice matched the quote, with no hidden costs.

Rebates may be available. Ontario’s main program is the Home Renovation Savings Program, run by Enbridge Gas and the IESO. Eligible equipment, amounts and rules change often, so instead of relying on old numbers, Oria will check current programs for your home and equipment when preparing your quote, and explain what paperwork is needed.

A furnace or air conditioner tune-up typically costs $120 – $200 per system in Ottawa. A furnace tune-up covers cleaning plus safety and combustion checks; an AC tune-up covers the coils, refrigerant and electrical parts. Book furnace maintenance in early fall and AC maintenance in spring, before the first heat wave, when schedules are less busy.

Yes. Oria Heating and Cooling answers emergency calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (613) 866-1869 for furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, humidifiers and HRVs. Same-day repair service is often available. Our reviews describe after-hours visits on snowy nights, on Sundays and as late as 12:30 a.m. on a Friday.

Oria serves all of Ottawa from its base at 925 Longfields Drive in Nepean, including Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Riverside South, Manotick, Findlay Creek, Orléans and Gloucester. We also cover Carp, Greely, Richmond, Kemptville, Carleton Place and Rockland, and hold the licences required to work in Gatineau, Quebec, including Aylmer and Hull.

Yes. Oria repairs and maintains all makes and models of furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers and water heaters, including equipment installed by other companies. For new systems, Oria is a Lennox authorized dealer and also installs Goodman and other major brands, so you can compare options in a single quote.

Have your address, the equipment’s brand, model and age (on the rating label inside the furnace door or on the outdoor unit), and a description of the problem, including any noises, smells or flashing error codes. For a new installation, note the home’s size and number of storeys. Photos of the label and setup help us give a more accurate estimate.

Yes. Along with homes, Oria provides light commercial HVAC service for small businesses in the Ottawa area, including installation, repair and maintenance of heating, cooling, water heating and gas equipment. One long-time customer has used Oria for both their home and their businesses for more than five years.