Furnace Maintenance in Ottawa
An annual furnace tune-up that checks safety first, then efficiency and reliability
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- TSSA & HRAI approved
- 24/7 emergency service
- Family-owned since 2005
An annual furnace tune-up that checks safety first, then efficiency and reliability
- Free estimates on new installations
- Financing from $49/month (OAC)
- All makes and models serviced
Why furnace maintenance in Ottawa matters every year
An Ottawa furnace runs from roughly October to May, often for hours at a stretch when it is −20 °C or colder. That is a lot of ignition cycles, blower hours and condensate in one season, and small problems grow fast under that load.
A yearly tune-up does three things. It confirms the furnace is burning safely and venting carbon monoxide outdoors. It catches worn parts, such as a weak capacitor or cracking ignitor, before they fail on a cold night. And it keeps airflow and combustion where the manufacturer specifies, so you are not paying Enbridge for heat that never reaches the rooms.
Some manufacturer warranties also ask for proof of regular professional maintenance. Keep each service invoice with your furnace paperwork.
What our furnace tune-up includes
Every visit follows the same checklist, so nothing is skipped on a busy day. You get a written summary of what we found.
Safety
- Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, rust and soot
- Measure carbon monoxide in the flue and check around the furnace
- Test the gas line and fittings near the furnace for leaks
- Test the high-limit, rollout and pressure switches
Combustion and gas
- Clean the burners and the flame sensor
- Inspect the hot-surface ignitor for cracks and wear
- Check inlet and manifold gas pressure
- Check flame colour and ignition timing
Airflow and electrical
- Inspect and clean the blower wheel as needed, and check the motor and capacitor
- Measure temperature rise across the furnace
- Tighten electrical connections and check the control board
- Check the thermostat’s operation and calibration
Venting and condensate
- Inspect PVC intake and exhaust pipes and their outdoor terminations
- Clean the condensate trap and flush the drain line
- Check the condensate pump, if you have one
What we find most often
Year after year, the same handful of issues turn up on Ottawa tune-ups. Flame sensors coated with residue, which cause the on-off-on lockouts people mistake for a dying furnace. Condensate traps half full of sludge. Hot-surface ignitors with hairline cracks that will fail on the next cold start. Blower wheels caked with dust, and loose wiring on the control board.
Each of these is cheap to fix during a planned visit and expensive to discover at 2 a.m. in January. A tune-up runs $120 – $200; a single emergency repair often costs more than that before parts.
On request we also replace the humidifier water panel and check the HRV filters while we are there. Our furnace maintenance checklist explains each item in plain language.
When to book a furnace tune-up
Once a year is the right rhythm for most homes. The timing matters as much as the visit.
September or October
Before the first real cold snap and before the phones get busy with no-heat calls. Problems found now are fixed on your schedule.
When it has been over a year
If you cannot remember the last service, or you just bought the house and have no records, book one now.
After renovation dust
Drywall sanding and flooring work load filters and blowers with fine dust. Service the furnace once the dust settles.
Before a home sale or purchase
A recent service report reassures buyers, and a pre-purchase check tells you what you are inheriting.
Before winter travel
Heading away for a few weeks in February? A furnace failure in an empty house can mean frozen, burst pipes. Have it serviced before you go and ask someone to check the house every couple of days.
When something sounds or smells different
New noises, longer run times or a rising gas bill are reasons to service it now rather than wait.
Furnace filter guide: which filter and how often
The filter is the one maintenance job that is yours. A clogged filter is behind a large share of the overheating and short-cycling calls we see each winter.
| Filter type | Change or clean | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-inch pleated, MERV 8 | Every 1–3 months | Good default for most homes. Monthly in homes with pets or during renovations. |
| 1-inch pleated, MERV 11–13 | Check monthly | Catches finer particles but loads up faster and can restrict airflow in a 1-inch slot. |
| 4- to 5-inch media filter | Every 6–12 months | More surface area, so better filtration with less airflow restriction. |
| Washable or electrostatic | Clean monthly | Must be fully dry before going back in. |
| Electronic air cleaner | Wash cells every 3–6 months | Clean the pre-filter more often. |
Write the date on the filter frame when you install it, and make sure the airflow arrow points toward the furnace. For more detail, read is it important to change my furnace filter.
Simple jobs for homeowners between visits
Keep the outdoor vents clear.
During heavy snowfall, check the white PVC pipes on the side of the house every couple of hours and keep snowbanks and ice away from them.
Keep supply and return vents open.
Closing vents in unused rooms raises duct pressure and can make the furnace overheat.
Leave space around the furnace.
Keep about a metre clear of storage boxes, paint, solvents and laundry.
Test your carbon monoxide alarms monthly.
Ontario requires CO alarms near sleeping areas in homes with fuel-burning appliances. Replace each alarm by the date printed on it.
Look at the condensate drain.
Water pooling around the furnace or a gurgling trap means it is time to call.
Replace the humidifier water panel
Each fall if you have a bypass or fan-powered humidifier, and lower the humidity setting on very cold days. Frost or water on the inside of windows means it is set too high for the outdoor temperature.
Our furnace carbon monoxide safety guide explains alarm placement and warning signs.
How a tune-up visit runs
- 1
Book a time
Call (613) 866-1869 or email info@oriaheatingandcooling.com. Fall slots fill up, so earlier is easier.
- 2
Quick conversation
Tell the technician about any noises, cold rooms or high bills you have noticed. It points the inspection in the right direction.
- 3
Safety and combustion checks
Gas, carbon monoxide and the heat exchanger are checked before anything else.
- 4
Clean, test and adjust
Burners, flame sensor, blower, condensate and venting are worked through on the checklist.
- 5
Report and recommendations
You get a summary of what was done and any parts nearing the end of their life, with prices, so you can plan instead of react.
Maintenance plans: furnace and AC on one schedule
Most Ottawa homes have a furnace and a central air conditioner sharing the same blower and ductwork. Servicing both on a set schedule, the furnace in fall and the AC in spring, keeps the whole system in step.
Our HVAC maintenance plans handle the reminders and booking for you, and pair this furnace service with AC maintenance before the summer humidity arrives. Tune-ups run $120 – $200 per system.
Customers notice the consistency. B R wrote that “Mansoor and team has been very responsive, reliable and always providing top notch HVAC service with reasonable pricing.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers from licensed Ottawa technicians. Still have a question? Call us any time.
How much does a furnace tune-up cost in Ottawa?
A furnace tune-up in Ottawa typically costs $120 to $200 per system. That covers cleaning the burners and flame sensor, inspecting the heat exchanger, testing combustion and carbon monoxide, checking gas pressure, blower and electrical components, and clearing the condensate drain. Any repair parts found during the visit are quoted separately before work goes ahead.
How often should a furnace be serviced?
Once a year is right for most Ottawa homes. A furnace here runs seven or more months a year, so annual service catches worn parts before a cold-night breakdown. Book in September or October so problems are fixed before the heating season starts. Homes with pets, heavy dust or recent renovations benefit most from staying on schedule.
Is furnace maintenance really worth it?
Yes, for safety alone. A tune-up checks the heat exchanger and measures carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell. It also catches failing ignitors, capacitors and sensors before they leave you without heat, keeps the furnace running at its rated efficiency, and gives you the service records some manufacturer warranties ask for.
What is the difference between a furnace tune-up and a furnace cleaning?
A furnace cleaning usually means vacuuming dust from the cabinet and blower. A proper tune-up includes cleaning but adds safety and performance testing: carbon monoxide and combustion readings, gas pressure, heat exchanger inspection, temperature rise, switch tests, electrical checks and the condensate drain. Ask any company which of these their visit includes.
How often should I change my furnace filter in winter?
For a standard 1-inch pleated filter, check it monthly in winter and replace it every one to three months. Homes with pets, smokers or renovation dust should replace it monthly. Thicker 4- to 5-inch media filters usually last six to twelve months. If you cannot see light through the filter, it is time to change it.
Can I maintain my furnace myself?
Homeowners can safely change filters, keep vents and outdoor pipes clear, test carbon monoxide alarms and watch for water around the furnace. Work on burners, gas valves, ignition parts and venting should be left to a licensed gas technician, because in Ontario gas appliance work is regulated by the TSSA and mistakes can create carbon monoxide or fire risks.
Do new furnaces need maintenance?
Yes. A new furnace should be serviced every year from the first fall after installation. Condensate traps on new high-efficiency furnaces can clog early with debris from installation, and manufacturer warranties may ask for proof of regular maintenance. Annual service also confirms the furnace is still running at the gas pressure and airflow it was set up for.
Book Service or Get a Free Estimate
Tell us what is going on and we will call you back with honest advice and a written estimate. Financing from $49/month on approved credit.
- Licensed gas & refrigeration technicians
- 5.0 stars from 396 Google reviews
- 24/7 emergency service
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