Average Furnace Cleaning Cost in Canada
Did you know that the quality of air inside your home can be five times worse than the quality of air outside? Your HVAC system could be the culprit!
Missing your regular furnace cleaning appointment can hurt both your system’s efficiency and your family’s health. On average, Canadians can expect to pay about $259 for a standard furnace cleaning. This investment is often a concern to residents and pushes furnace cleaning down their priority list. This guide explains why should not skip this step and what you would likely be spending to keep your furnace is top shape.
Key points
- A standard cleaning usually runs $260, while a full furnace + duct package can cost up to $500+.
- Average furnace cleaning costs in Canada can range from $160 in Saskatchewan to more than $400 in Quebec, depending on province, city size and service level.
- For light HVAC uses in milder climates, scheduling cleaning every 2-3 years is enough, but with higher usage and households that have pets, people with allergies or older furnaces may benefit from annual or more frequent cleaning.
- Comparing quotes from credible contractors and clarifying what’s included in each package ensures you get the best value.
Why You Should Clean Your Furnace Regularly
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Your furnace is like a workhorse that hustles non-stop to provide you heating in the winter. During this time, it inhales lots of dust, dirt, pet hair and other airborne particles that get accumulated inside overtime. This debris can get past filters and into the system, clogging working parts like blowers and heat exchangers.
A dirty, clogged furnace has to work much harder to push heat through to you, and this in turn increases your monthly heating bills as well as higher greenhouse gas emissions. This not only reduces the efficiency of the system, but it could also reduce the lifespan of the system, and you may have to replace it soon. Regularly cleaning would make it last longer and also reduce the environmental impact and waste generation that results from replacements.
What is more concerning, is that a dirty furnace can deeply undermine the air quality in your home. The system can circulate dust, allergens and even mould in the airflow. The debris could cause the system to overheat and even result in toxic gas leaks like carbon monoxide. Regular cleaning can also help in keeping your furnace warranty valid. Many manufacturers require proof of maintenance to honour warranty claims.
Think of furnace cleaning like an oil change for your home. It’s a small maintenance step that pays off in long-term comfort, safety and savings.
How Often and When You Should Clean Your Furnace
The frequency at which you should get your furnace cleaned depends on your usage, living environment and type of furnace.
If your furnace usage is high because you live in a location with long, harsh winters, your home is large or you have an old, outdated system, then cleaning every year is best. You should clean your air filters every 1-3 months depending on usage and dust accumulation.
There are some specific living situations that may call for immediate or more frequent furnace cleaning, however, as outlined below. In the below-mentioned situations, more frequent cleaning every 6-8 months is better. On the flip side, lighter usage of your HVAC system (eg. if you live in a milder climate or if it’s a second home that doesn’t get used much) may only require cleaning every 2-3 years.
Renovation and retrofitting – Home renovations and retrofits generate excessive dust and debris that inevitably would enter your air supply and return vents. It is critical to seal off all vents before renovation or retrofit work begins. Your HVAC system should ideally be turned off during this period. Sometimes renovation or retrofit work may happen while you are living in the same property and HVAC usage may be inevitable. It is better to time the work when HVAC usage is minimum or nil. The construction debris that may accumulate inside your HVAC system can severely affect the air quality in your home, and you must immediately schedule a cleaning appointment.
Infestations – Your vents and ducts may harbour insects or rodents and can lead to infestations if left unchecked. While a regular inspection would reveal this to you, if you notice any sign of insect or animal infestations in any part of your home, it is good to get your furnace and ductwork cleaned for safety. Rodent dropping may also impact efficiency of your system and the air quality in your home.
Mould – If you have a mould problem in your home because of high humidity or a recent flooding situation, chances are that your HVAC system could have attracted some of it. Your HVAC system holds moisture because of its air exchanges, and mould growth can be quite fast. If you suspect mould growth, immediate furnace cleaning is highly recommended. Basic cleaning may nip it in the bud, but if it is a full-blown infestation, a more thorough cleaning and sanitization would be important. A much larger mould problem would have to be fixed by a mould removal specialist.
Other reasons that may call for more frequent cleaning includes having pets at home, smoking indoors or if you have family members with pre-existing health conditions like asthma. If you ever see excessive dust in the air supplied by your vents or if there is debris collecting around the vents, it is a sign that there is excess accumulation.
Average Cost of Furnace Cleaning and What’s Included in the Cost
Average Cost of Furnace Cleaning and What’s Included in the Cost
The average costs provided above are based on standard cleaning packages that would cover the needs of a typical single-family home in Canada. More comprehensive or additional cleaning packages could cost over $500.
| Province | Average Furnace Cleaning Cost (+ Taxes) |
|---|---|
| Alberta | $260 |
| British Columbia | $253 |
| Manitoba | $203 |
| New Brunswick | $305 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $331 |
| Nova Scotia | $219 |
| Ontario | $238 |
| P.E.I | $221 |
| Quebec | $406 |
| Saskatchewan | $160 |
Some contractors offer services for furnace tune-ups for similar average costs, but this is different from furnace cleaning. While furnace cleaning focuses on removing dirt and debris, tune-ups are preventative maintenance checks that ensure that your system is operating safely and efficiently. This would include inspection of furnace components, tightening connections, lubricating moving parts, testing pressure and airflow and safety check such as potential carbon monoxide leaks.
Difference Between Standard and Comprehensive Packages
| Standard Furnace Cleaning Package | Comprehensive Furnace + Duct Cleaning Package |
|---|---|
| Furnace inspection | Furnace inspection |
| Basic furnace cleaning | Deep furnace cleaning |
| Basic air filter checks, replacement may cost extra | Basic air filter checks, replacement may cost extra |
| Air vents cleaned (Up to 10) | Additional vents cleaned, may cost extra |
| Ductwork cleaned | |
| Dryer vent cleaned | |
| Sanitization and deodorization |
Factors That Could Alter Costs
Not all homes fall neatly into the average cost range. There are several factors that can push your costs up or down.
Additional service-based costs – If your home does not fall in the typical single family home category, you may have more than one furnace and additional air vents. Cleaning an extra furnace may incur an additional $100-150, and each additional vent could cost between $5-15 depending on the location. Other add-ons may include:
Duct cleaning – $250-$500
Duct sanitization/deodorization – $80–$120
Dryer vent cleaning – $30–$70
Coil cleaning – $50-100
Type of furnace – Oil furnaces accumulate a lot more soot and residue and would require more thorough cleaning compared to gas and electric furnaces. This may incur a higher, custom cost. High efficiency furnaces have additional components such as secondary heat exchangers, condensate drains, or specialized filters that require extra attention and thorough cleaning, which could incur additional costs.
Location-based costs – In more populated provinces and cities like Toronto or Vancouver, high competition for HVAC services could lead to higher labour costs to meet demand, resulting in the highest cleaning costs. In rural areas, limited availability of technicians could be a factor that increases costs, and residents may have to cover travel costs or a service call fee of between $80-130.
Finding the Right Contractor
There are many contractors out there, however, it is important that you know how to filter among them to find one who is the right fit for you. If you’re not cautious, you may even fall victim to a scam.
Check credentials – First step, identify credible, certified HVAC contractors in your area. For example, in Ontario, HVAC contractors must be licensed by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Memberships from national associations like the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada or National Air Duct Cleaners Association also indicate credibility. Be sure to not trust a contractor just from service calls. Ask if they have a website and the right credentials.
Ask what’s included – A standard furnace cleaning package should include a basic inspection, cleaning of the blower, burners, ignition system, filter and a basic safety check. Sometimes, a contractor may initially lowball their offer then later upsell heavily once they arrive. They may exaggerate problems with your HVAC system to drive up costs. A credible contractor who provides good quality services will quote a reasonable average cost for a basic set of services. If they claim anything more, you should alert yourself.
Get multiple quotes – Don’t decide based on the first quote you get. The HVAC industry is highly competitive, and costs can vary quite a bit even within the same city. Get multiple quotes and assess services before making your decision. Look out for contractors offering spring or fall discounts.
Get a referral and read reviews – Getting a referral from someone you trust who has hired furnace cleaning services is a reliable way to find a good contractor. Reading reviews can also be a rich source of information for you. Check out reviews on HomeStars, Google Reviews or Yelp so that you make a more informed decision.
Read more on this topic in Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Old Furnace.
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