Recent HVAC IQ Answers
Browse the latest heating and cooling questions from Metro Vancouver homeowners.
Adding an HRV to an older Kitsilano house, what should that cost?
Installing an HRV in an older Kitsilano house typically runs $2,500 to $4,500 for a straightforward installation on an...
Is a tankless water heater worth the extra cost in North Vancouver?
Tankless water heaters cost $3,500–$6,500 installed in Metro Vancouver, compared with $2,000–$3,500 for a standard...
For a Kerrisdale house, what is a reasonable boiler replacement price?
Boiler replacement in Kerrisdale typically runs $8,000 to $18,000 for a straightforward swap on an existing hydronic...
Would $7,000 cover a new gas furnace in Langley?
Seven thousand dollars sits at the lower-middle of the typical Metro Vancouver range for a high-efficiency gas furnace...
Why are furnace replacement quotes so different across Coquitlam contractors?
Furnace replacement quotes in Coquitlam routinely span $5,500 to $11,000, and a $3,000 to $4,000 gap between two quotes...
What does a ductless system cost per head in Richmond?
A single-zone ductless mini-split in Metro Vancouver typically runs $4,500 to $8,000 installed, which works out to...
Heat pump quote in Surrey came in at $14,000, is that fair?
For a ducted air-source heat pump in Metro Vancouver, $14,000 sits comfortably within the typical range of $10,000 to...
How much does a heat pump cost to install in Burnaby?
A heat pump installation in Burnaby typically runs $9,000 to $18,000 for a ductless multi-zone system, or $10,000 to...
Is a through-wall AC unit possible in a concrete Brentwood tower?
Through-wall AC units are technically possible in concrete Burnaby towers, but the barriers in a strata building...
Our Delta basement condensate drain keeps clogging, how is that prevented?
Condensate drain clogs are one of the most common service calls in Metro Vancouver, and Delta's damp climate makes them...
How often should a gas boiler be serviced in British Columbia?
Annual servicing is what Technical Safety BC recommends for all home heating appliances in BC, and a gas boiler is no...
A gas appliance smells like exhaust in my Abbotsford home, is that dangerous?
Yes, exhaust smell from a gas appliance is a serious warning sign and you should treat it as a potential carbon...
Does a heat pump water heater make the basement colder in a Dunbar house?
Yes, it will cool the basement, and in a Dunbar house that is worth thinking through carefully before you buy. A heat...
Could a tripped breaker stop my heat pump from working in the Tri-Cities?
A tripped breaker is one of the most common reasons a heat pump goes completely silent, and yes, it absolutely applies...
My strata says no outdoor units, how else can I cool my Metrotown condo?
Cooling a condo without an outdoor unit is genuinely possible, though each option involves a trade-off between comfort,...
Which furnace filter helps most during wildfire smoke season in the Lower Mainland?
For wildfire smoke, a MERV 13 filter is the practical target for most forced-air furnaces in the Lower Mainland. It...
Furnace or heat pump, which is cheaper to run in the Lower Mainland?
For most Lower Mainland homes, a modern inverter heat pump costs less to run than a gas furnace, often by a meaningful...
What happens to my rebate if my contractor in Abbotsford goes out of business?
That said, the rebate mechanics work the same way across BC, and the short answer is: your rebate is usually safe, but...
How long does a heat pump installation take in a New Westminster house?
For most New Westminster houses, a straightforward ductless mini-split installation wraps up in one day, typically six...
Does my strata need to approve a mini-split condenser on my balcony?
Almost certainly yes. In a strata, the balcony is typically common property or limited common property, and attaching...
Why is my Port Moody heat pump quote nearly $25,000?
A $25,000 quote for a heat pump in Port Moody is at the high end but not automatically out of line, depending on what's...
Can townhouse owners in Langley add central air on their own?
Adding central air to a Langley townhouse is possible, but "on your own" runs into several hard stops before you even...
What should a technician check during a heat pump service visit in BC?
A thorough annual heat pump service visit in Metro Vancouver typically costs $150 to $300 and covers far more than a...
Do radiators in an older house near Commercial Drive need bleeding every fall?
Radiators in a hot-water boiler system do benefit from bleeding once a year, but "every fall without fail" is a slight...
Can an unpermitted furnace cause problems when selling a Kitsilano home?
Unpermitted work on a gas furnace in Kitsilano can absolutely surface during a real estate transaction, and it tends to...
Hot water smells like rotten eggs in our Abbotsford home, what causes that?
That sulphur smell almost always comes from a reaction inside the water heater tank, not from the water supply itself....
My furnace won't ignite after a power outage in Surrey, what now?
Most furnaces will restart on their own after a power outage, but a few simple checks can get yours going before you...
Hot third floor in a Kerrisdale character home, what cooling options work?
Third-floor heat in a Kerrisdale character home is one of the trickiest cooling problems in Vancouver, and the right...
What should a ductwork design plan include for a house renovation near Commercial Drive?
A ductwork design plan for a house renovation in the Commercial Drive area should cover eight core elements, and...
How often should a furnace be serviced in the damp BC climate?
Annual servicing is the right interval for a gas furnace in Metro Vancouver, and the wet climate here makes that...
Which CleanBC rebates can I get for a heat pump right now?
The honest answer depends on what heats your home today and your household income, because those two factors determine...
Which SEER and HSPF ratings matter for a heat pump in BC?
Efficiency Ratings That Actually Matter in Metro Vancouver SEER2 and HSPF2 are the two numbers to focus on, and in...
Should I get three quotes before buying a furnace in Abbotsford?
Yes: two or three written quotes before replacing a furnace is the right move in Abbotsford, as anywhere in BC....
My strata keeps saying no to heat pumps, what are my options in Delta?
Strata approval is a real barrier, but you have more options than you might think, and some of them sidestep the...
How long does a gas furnace typically last in BC?
A gas furnace in Metro Vancouver typically lasts 15 to 25 years, with most units hitting the 18 to 20 year mark before...
What price range should I expect for a combi boiler in Burnaby?
A combi boiler installation in Burnaby typically runs $8,000 to $14,000 installed, and that range can stretch toward...
Where can I check whether a gas fitter may pull permits in British Columbia?
Technical Safety BC's online licence search is the place to start. Go to the Technical Safety BC website and use the...
How long does it take to replace a hot water tank in Maple Ridge?
Most hot water tank replacements in Maple Ridge take two to four hours from the contractor's arrival to hot water...
My heat pump is making a grinding noise, is it safe to run in Langley?
A grinding noise from a heat pump is a warning sign you should not ignore, and running it continuously risks turning a...
Are Port Coquitlam AC installers booked out in summer, and for how long?
Summer is the busiest season for AC and heat pump installers across Metro Vancouver, and Port Coquitlam is no...
Is that HVAC company in Metro Vancouver actually local or a lead broker?
A fair question, and one worth asking before you hand over your contact details or pay a deposit. The Metro Vancouver...
Is a condensing boiler worth the cost for a North Shore home?
For most North Shore homes with an existing hot-water radiator or in-floor system, a condensing boiler is worth the...
Is black mould around the vents a sign of a duct problem in Surrey?
Black or dark staining around supply and return vents is one of the more common complaints in Surrey homes, and it...
Before selling my Richmond townhouse, is a new furnace worth it?
A furnace replacement before a sale rarely pays back dollar-for-dollar, but the right answer depends on how old the...
Are there rebates for replacing an old gas water heater in Port Moody?
Rebate access for a gas water heater replacement in Port Moody depends almost entirely on what you replace it with, not...
My heat pump is iced over in Pitt Meadows, is that normal?
Some ice on a heat pump's outdoor coil is completely normal in Pitt Meadows winters, where damp air near 0°C is exactly...
Why won't some Vancouver contractors quote without a site visit?
Contractors who refuse to quote over the phone or email are not being difficult; they are protecting you from a number...
A Marpole duplex heat pump quote came in at $22,000, is that normal?
A $22,000 quote for a heat pump in a Marpole duplex is on the higher end but not automatically out of range. For a...
Why is my condo fan coil blowing lukewarm air in New Westminster?
Lukewarm air from a condo fan coil in New Westminster almost always points to one of four things: a dirty filter...
What happens during a boiler service in an older Kerrisdale home?
A boiler service in an older Kerrisdale home typically takes two to three hours and costs between $150 and $300 for a...
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