Furnaces use a blower to heat up air and push it through the ductwork of your home, raising the temperature in every room. Furnace systems can run on natural gas, propane, or electricity. Although furnaces are effective at heating up a space quickly, the resulting air can sometimes be uncomfortably dry. Boilers provide an alternative by heating water instead of air. The hot water or steam generated by boilers is then distributed via pipes to radiators or other systems which will heat up the desired space evenly and comfortably.

Furnaces often cost less and take far less time to install than boiler systems. And, since furnaces don’t utilize water in the heating process, there’s less chance of freezing during a wintertime power outage. But the use of ductwork can create a drafty environment, and the spread of dust and dander is worse for families with allergies. Natural gas furnaces also run the risk of valve leaks, which can cause serious health issues.

The radiant heat from a boiler system is much more comfortable than forced air from a furnace. These units are also less noisy, more energy efficient, and create better air quality inside your home. No ductwork is required. In certain cases, the heated water from the system may also be used for things like laundry, showers, or your dishwasher.

To diagnose a broken furnace, follow these steps:

1. Check the thermostat: Ensure it's set to "heat" and the temperature is higher than the room temperature.
2. Verify power supply: Check if the furnace is receiving power and inspect the circuit breaker or fuse box.
3. Inspect the air filter: A clogged filter can cause issues, so replace it if needed.
4. Check gas supply: Ensure the gas valve is open and the pilot light (if applicable) is lit.
5. Listen for unusual sounds: Unusual noises could indicate mechanical problems.
6. Observe the flame: If the burner flame is irregular or discolored, there might be issues.
7. Check for leaks: Look for any signs of gas or water leaks around the furnace.
8. Smell for gas: If you detect a gas smell, immediately evacuate and call the gas company or emergency services.

If you're unable to identify the problem or the issue persists, it's best to contact a licensed plumber or HVAC professional for expert diagnosis and repair.

If your furnace is broken, follow these steps:

1. Check the thermostat: Ensure it's set to "heat" and the temperature is higher than the room temperature.
2. Check power supply: Verify the furnace is receiving power and check the circuit breaker or fuse box.
3. Replace air filter: A clogged filter can cause issues, replace it if needed.
4. Check gas supply: Ensure the gas valve is open and the pilot light (if applicable) is lit.
5. Reset the furnace: Turn it off, wait a few minutes, and then turn it back on.
6. Schedule professional repair: If the issue persists, contact a licensed plumber for expert diagnosis and repair.

Remember, safety first! If you smell gas or suspect a major problem, evacuate and call your gas company and call the furnace experts at Alpha Plumbing.

Performing annual furnace maintenance has some obvious benefits—but also some others that you may not have considered.

Of course, the main benefit is that you’re not left without heating in the depths of winter when you need it most.

By having a professional check your furnace and address all of the most common issues, you reduce the risk of an unexpected breakdown. We know the warning signs and can prevent minor issues from turning into major ones requiring expensive repairs.

Other benefits of annual furnace maintenance include:

• Potentially saving money: the efficiency of your furnace relates directly to your energy bills. If you regularly maintain your furnace, it will raise efficiency and minimize monthly bills—a great way to cover the costs of the maintenance.
• Maintaining the warranty: failure to maintain your furnace can invalidate the warranty. By arranging at least annual maintenance, you ensure that your warranty remains good if something serious goes wrong.
• Maximizing the life of the furnace: a furnace is a major investment that should last well over a decade. By maintaining it well, you extend its life.
• Gas furnaces can be prone to problems, so if yours has not been maintained in a while, you are asking for problems.

Gas furnaces in Alberta require regular maintenance, including cleaning or replacing air filters every one to three months, inspecting and cleaning the blower assembly, lubricating moving parts, checking gas connections, and testing safety controls. It's recommended to schedule an annual professional tune-up for optimal performance.

It’s best to schedule a service for your furnace at least in the fall to check that it is running safely, efficiently, and without any major issues as the long winter months approach. It should be checked, tested, thoroughly cleaned, and all steps described above performed.

If you want to be sure to optimize performance all year round, schedule another service call in the spring.

The replacement of a furnace's heat exchanger is often the most expensive repair. Heat exchangers can develop cracks or fail over time, and replacing them can be costly due to the complexity of the task and the price of the part itself.

In between service calls, there are a few regular checks and maintenance steps you can take to ensure that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible and avoids downtime.

• Clean filters—or replace them
  Filters can get clogged with many different types of household particles, such as dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, spores, etc. Regular cleaning or replacing ensures adequate and safe airflow in the home.
• Check the blower motor
  Furnace blowers provide air for the furnace and often for the air conditioning system too. The blower motor drives the fan and has many moving parts. Check that it’s working efficiently without too much noise and, if not, call us for a service.
• Check household vents
  For your furnace to work efficiently, the air in your home must be able to circulate freely. Check that vents are open, clear of blockages and allow air to flow unimpeded.
• Check the exhaust flue (gas furnaces)
  Toxic gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide need to be allowed to escape freely from a gas furnace or your family could be breathing them in. Make sure the exhaust flue is not blocked—if it is, call one of our furnace professionals.
• Improve insulation in your home
  You can ease the load on your furnace and potentially extend its life by improving insulation in your home. We can make recommendations after surveying your existing setup, often including weather stripping windows and doors, insulating your attic, or sealing and insulating ductwork.

Think of maintaining your furnace is a small price to pay for keeping you warm all year. It’s best to do regular checks of the furnace yourself throughout the year and book a maintenance call out at least once a year—preferably twice.

Gas furnaces in Alberta can experience various failures. Common issues include faulty igniters, malfunctioning thermostats, worn-out blower motors, clogged burners, gas valve problems, and cracked heat exchangers. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can help prevent these failures and ensure proper functionality.

It is estimated by some HVAC professionals that three-quarters of “no-heat” callouts can be prevented with regular maintenance. We can verify that estimate.

A variety of preventable problems can start to appear if your gas furnace is not serviced at least once a year. Most typically, these include:

• An overworked furnace—this can be caused by dusty, clogged up filters that would be replaced with any standard service. An overworked furnace can lead to inefficiency and breakdowns.
• A faulty pilot light—this can be prevented by regular cleaning (the pilot opening can get clogged). Other pilot light problems occur when the pilot light button isn’t fully pressed or the gas valve isn’t all the way open—which can both be avoided by a gas furnace service.
• A leaking furnace—this is a dangerous problem that needs immediate attention and is often due to a cracked heat exchanger or a dirty, clogged filter. If your furnace is leaking dangerous toxins like carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide into your home, this will be picked up by routine maintenance so that a larger problem can be averted.

The cost of checking a furnace for repairs in Calgary can vary. On average, a professional inspection may cost between $240 to $340, depending on factors like the company, location, and the extent of the inspection required.

The life span of a furnace in Calgary, AB, typically ranges from 15 to 20 years. However, proper maintenance, usage patterns, and the quality of the furnace can affect its longevity. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can help extend its lifespan.

That depends on your home. If you have pets, you should change them regularly every month. Otherwise, you can change it every three to six months.