Old furnace — time to replace?
Common Causes
- End of service life (15-25 years)
- Cracked heat exchanger
- Rising repair costs outpacing value
- Shift to higher-efficiency for lower energy bills
When to Call a Pro
- Furnace is 18+ years old and repair cost exceeds 30% of replacement cost
- Heat exchanger is cracked (CO risk — replace immediately)
- Furnace requires a second significant repair within 2 years
- Energy bills are rising without change in usage habits
Alberta Gas Fitting Regulations
All gas line and appliance work in Alberta must be performed by a holder of a valid Gas Fitting Certificate issued under the Safety Codes Act. Unlicensed gas work is illegal and voids home insurance.
As ticketed journeyperson plumbers, we hold gas fitting certification — one call covers both trades. We serve Innisfail, Red Deer County, and all of Central Alberta.
Alberta Context
With Innisfail averaging ~5,200 heating degree days annually, upgrading from a 72% AFUE to a 96% AFUE furnace can reduce heating costs by roughly 25%. At 2024-2025 ATCO gas rates (~$4-6/GJ RRO plus distribution), annual savings of $300-600 are typical for an average home. The Government of Alberta does not currently offer a provincial rebate for furnace upgrades, but the Canada Greener Homes Grant program (where available) has provided $600-5,000 for qualifying high-efficiency installations — check current federal program status.