Furnace prices in London

Why do London quotes sit a little under the Ontario range?

The 2% gap below the Ontario Furnace Prices price index reflects the local labour market, not cheaper equipment. A furnace costs an installer about the same anywhere in Ontario, while by our estimate wages, shop rent and crew travel in London run slightly below the provincial average. On a single-stage furnace that is about $100 to $150 off each end of the range. Your house, the furnace you pick and the season you buy in move the price far more.

How cold does London get, and what size furnace is right?

Heating in London is sized for a design day of about -18°C, and the city sees about 3,900 heating degree days a year, a measure of how far the average day falls below 18°C over the season: milder than Guelph or Ottawa, colder than Windsor.

The rule of thumb of 25 to 45 BTU per hour per square foot gives an 1,800 sq ft house 45,000 to 81,000 BTU/h, too wide to choose from, and many pre-1980s homes have had insulation and windows upgraded since. Ask for a CSA F280 room-by-room load calculation; the furnace size calculator gives a planning figure.

What does your London house add to the price?

London's housing falls into four broad eras, and each tends to add different lines to a quote.

1. Before 1940

   Century homes in Old East Village, Old North and Wortley Village

   Brick houses on narrow lots, long since converted from coal or oil. Expect questions about the chimney the water heater still uses, vent spots near the neighbour and thin upstairs airflow.

   Often adds venting or a liner at $300 to $1,500, duct changes at $500 to $3,000+

2. 1945 to 1965

   Post-war bungalows

   One storey over a full basement, with a compact trunk duct sized for heat. Finished basements box in the furnace, and adding central air can need a bigger return.

   Often adds duct changes at $500 to $3,000+, a condensate pump at $150 to $350

3. 1965 to 1980

   Back-splits and side-splits

   Three or four short levels fed by one furnace at the bottom, so top-floor bedrooms run cool in winter and hot in summer. A variable-speed blower and balancing dampers help more than a bigger furnace.

   Often adds about $1,500 at the midpoint for two-stage, plus dampers or a new return

4. 1990s on

   North and west-end suburbs

   High-efficiency furnaces, PVC venting, central air and a nearby drain. Usually a one-day swap where the equipment you choose sets the price.

   Often adds just a new thermostat at $150 to $600

Renting out a house near Western: what should landlords budget?

Student rentals near Western University are often older houses with bedrooms carved out of basements and main floors: doors closed all day with no return air, supply runs stretched into new rooms, one thermostat for five schedules. Even temperatures and reliability matter more than peak efficiency, and a two-stage furnace with an ECM blower helps on both.

Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act treats heat as a vital service the landlord must keep in good repair, and the Fire Code makes the landlord responsible for working carbon monoxide alarms. Replace between leases, not in a January breakdown, and compare any rental contract offer in rent or buy a furnace.

Do you need a permit for a new furnace in London?

Sometimes. It depends on the scope of the job, and the City of London sets and updates those rules, so check with the city's building department rather than relying on a general rule. The installer usually applies and arranges any inspection, and the fee, typically $75 to $300 in Ontario, belongs on the quote. Every gas connection must be made by a TSSA-registered contractor: ask for the registration number.

Enbridge gas or a heat pump on London Hydro: which costs less to run?

Gas in London is delivered by Enbridge Gas and electricity by London Hydro. For most households the Ontario Energy Board sets the electricity commodity price province-wide, but delivery charges differ by utility, so use the all-in rate from your own bill. At this site's defaults, 50 cents per cubic metre and 15 cents per kWh, a 96% furnace delivers heat for about 5.0 cents per kWh; a heat pump matches it at a seasonal COP of about 3.0.

A cold-climate heat pump beats that in spring and fall and drops below it in deep cold, which is why many gas-heated homes choose dual fuel. A ducted heat pump typically costs $8,800 to $17,650 in London and dual fuel $10,800 to $19,600, before HST; see heat pump prices or the heating cost calculator.

Do London installers cover St. Thomas, Strathroy and Komoka?

Many do, along with Dorchester, Ilderton and Lambeth, at similar prices and sometimes with a travel charge for rural addresses. For other cities in the southwest, compare furnace prices in Windsor and furnace prices in Kitchener, or the provincial ranges on furnace prices in Ontario.