What do I need to know about installing a natural gas furnance?

Question

I'm currently on heating oil, in Toronto Canada, and looking to switch to natural gas. I know how to obtain a quote on the furnance itself, but what is the cost for the natural gas line into the house and meter - and how do I obtain a quote?

Specifically, do I have to get this work done via a primary gas provider (enbridge, union gas), or is there smaller contractors I can hire?

Thanks

Answer 1

Your quote should include the furnace with installation of the gas line from the meter location. The heating contractor will provide this.

The gas co. will provide the line to the house up to and including the meter.

Get quotes from at least three local contractors for comparisons.

If your planning on DIY keep in mind that the furnaces nowadays are more complicated with safeties that affect furnace operation if things are not properly installed.

Professional on site guidance would be a minimum requirement if codes permit to do yourself.

Warranties that manufacturers provide do not have to be honored if faults occur because of misapplication or improper installation.

Most reputable furnace manufacturers require that they be sold through a qualified dealer who normally installs the equipment.

Most manufacturers require their dealers to provide the first year labor warranties out of their pockets and don't provide any reimbursement for their time unless there is a factory defect that the manufacturer has a bulletin that provides labor.

This is why dealers mark up the equipment they sell.

It covers the cost of any first year problems, the estimate or quote to come out and see what will be needed or any changes that need to be done to make sure you will have a system that will provide whats expected and operates efficiently.

Buying online or buying the unit without proffesional installation may save you some money but will not provide you with that onsite analysis, the unit that you have could be oversized or installed improperly and just changing out with the same BTU could cause the new unit to be inefficient or have operational problems.