Heating and cooling guides

Buying guides walk through a purchase in the order you make it. Cost guides give typical repair and upkeep prices to measure any quote against. Ownership guides cover the years in between. All use the same Ontario 2026 price data as the Ontario Furnace Prices home page, our price guides and calculators, reviewed October 2026 and explained in how we estimate prices.

Replacing a furnace this year? Start here

1. 1

   Check the typical price

   A gas furnace typically costs $4,000 to $11,000 installed, before HST. Furnace prices shows what moves the number.

2. 2

   Size and cost it

   The calculators estimate size, price and running cost.

3. 3

   Work through the decisions

   The furnace buying guide covers them in order.

4. 4

   Get a written quote

   A free in-home estimate gives you one number for your house.

Buying guides

What to buy, how to size it, how to compare quotes and when to buy.

• Furnace buying guideEight decisions in order: repair or replace, sizing, staging, heat pump options, comparing quotes, renting, warranties and install day.
• Heat pump buying guideFit, cold-climate ratings, ducted vs ductless vs dual fuel, electrical work, pre-approval and honest running costs.
• Air conditioner buying guideSizing in tons, SEER2, coil matching, condenser placement, the heat pump alternative and comparing quotes.
• Best time to buy a furnaceShoulder seasons, what does and does not change with the calendar, rebate timing, and what to do if it fails in January.

Repair and upkeep costs

Typical Ontario prices for common repairs and yearly maintenance, before HST, so you can judge a repair quote on the spot.

• Furnace repair costIgniters, sensors, motors and boards priced, from $150 to $1,800, plus when to stop repairing.
• AC repair costCapacitors, contactors, leaks, fan motors and compressors priced, and when a new AC or heat pump makes more sense.
• Furnace maintenance costTune-ups at $120 to $250, what a real one includes, and how to judge a maintenance plan.

Owning, renting and replacing

How long a furnace lasts, what a rental really costs over its term, and the signs it is time to replace.

• How long do furnaces last?About 15 to 20 years for a well-kept gas furnace. What shortens it, how to find your furnace’s age and the signs it is time to replace.
• Rent or buy a furnace?Rentals at $40 to $80 a month against buying outright, with a calculator for your own offer.

Questions people ask

Which guide should I read first?

Replacing a furnace? Start with the furnace buying guide, which links to the rest in the order you will need them. Something broken? Start with the repair cost guide for that system. Furnace past 15 years and still running? Read how long furnaces last, then try the repair or replace check.

Are the prices in these guides quotes?

No. They are typical installed ranges for Ontario in 2026, before 13% HST, for a standard replacement in a detached home with usable ductwork and venting. Your home, venting, ductwork and brand choice move the number. Only a written quote from an installer who has seen the house is a firm price.

How often are the guides updated?

Prices were last reviewed in October 2026, and each guide shows its updated date under the headline. Rebate rules change more often than equipment prices, so rebate details carry the date they were checked and link to the program. Our editorial standards explain how pages are reviewed.