Having a working heating and cooling system in your home has become a modern necessity. Central heating and air conditioning in houses are run through a strong system of ducts, also known as the HVAC system. These heating and cooling systems not only maintain the temperature of your residence but also maintain the indoor air quality. Proper installation, regular maintenance and immediate repairs of the system can be done with the help of a licensed HVAC technician in Ottawa. This cost guide is based on 117 verified reviews by Ottawa homeowners written on HomeStars. Use this cost guide to help you budget for your next heating and cooling project or directly ask the expert to provide you with a custom quote.
Heating & Cooling Costs in Ottawa
| Task | Average Cost* | Lowest Reported* | Highest Reported* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioner Installation | $4,023 | $200 | $8,000 |
| Air Conditioner Repair | $1,057 | $100 | $3,500 |
| Furnace Installation | $6,524 | $124 | $18,000 |
| Furnace Repair | $747 | $100 | $7,000 |
| HVAC Installation | $12,000 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| HVAC Repair | $2,750 | $500 | $5,000 |
Costs as of January 2021*
Air Conditioner Installation
- Central air conditioning systems keep every room in the house at a moderately cool and breezy temperature during the hot summer months in Ottawa. Based on the size of your house and anticipated energy consumption, you can choose a split air conditioner, heat pump, packaged central air conditioner or ductless mini-split system. Though many homeowners in Ottawa prefer a split air conditioner, you can always look into different options before making your decision.
- Whether it’s replacing the old air conditioning system or installing a new one, it can take approximately 4 to 8 hours to complete the task.
- This project may cost you up to $8,000 in Ottawa.
Air Conditioner Repair
- If you notice a sudden spike in your energy bills or a disruptive flow in the cold air running through various parts of your house, we recommend you check the air conditioner for any repairs. Instead of trying to fix the air conditioner by yourself, you can hire a professional in Ottawa to avoid any uncertain damages to the machine.
- An expert will examine and fix the problem with the air conditioner such as a refrigerant leak, refrigerant recharge or AC compressor repair. The expert will also be able to replace circuit breakers, circuit boards, fuses, relays, thermostats, capacitors or contractors, air compressors, evaporator coil, condensing unit fan motors and condensate pump if required.
- Based on the damage, it can cost you $1,057 on average to get your air conditioner repaired in Ottawa.
Furnace Installation
- Furnaces maintain the heat in our house through the extensive network of ducts running behind the walls. Furnace installations are difficult as they require specific knowledge and experience to do the task. Even the smallest mistake in the installation of the flue or the gas can result in dire consequences.
- A professional expert in Ottawa can install your furnace in your garage, attic or basement with minimal possibility of damage. It can cost you up to $18,000 for furnace installation in Ottawa.
Furnace Repair
- It’s important to run regular maintenance on your furnace to avoid damages related to the thermostat or the condenser. Thermostats can malfunction due to faulty wiring or a defect in their circuit board. You will need an electrician to repair the furnace in such a case.
- If you notice low refrigeration levels, worn or damaged defrost control boards, it can be because of the faulty condenser. The repairman will have to replace the faulty timer motor or clear any obstruction or blockages in the heat pump to fix the problem.
Based on the damage, it can cost you up to $7,000 to get your furnace repaired in Ottawa.
HVAC Installation
- With a modern centralized heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, you can maintain the indoor air quality and temperature of your home throughout the year. You can opt for a roof-mounted or split system HVAC installation as per your requirements.
- A roof-mounted HVAC system requires a strong and steadier roof, it can take longer to be installed and should be preferred if you’re using gas as an energy source for your furnace. Though many homeowners prefer a split-system as it’s more efficient in providing optimal temperature in different areas of your house. You can also get it customized with the help of an HVAC expert as per your needs.
- The cost and timeline to install an HVAC system can vary depending on the size of your house and type of property. It can cost you approximately $12,000 in Ottawa.
HVAC Repair
- Many HVAC repairs require a part to be replaced in order to fix the problem. When you hire a professional, make sure you provide them with the details of your HVAC system such as the type, brand, model and years of usage. It will make the process of looking for replacement parts easier.
- We highly recommend that you avoid fixing it yourself as you can miss an important component or reason for the damage. An HVAC specialist in Ottawa can examine, determine the cause and fix the problem for you.
- It can be a performance issue, maintenance issue or a technical problem. It can cost you $2,750 on average to get it fixed.
Important Things to Remember
- Installing a new HVAC system or replacing an old one can be an expensive project. Summer is known as the busiest season for HVAC installations and replacement projects. You can plan your project during the spring season to avoid on-season charges and it can also line-up with your yearly spring cleaning session.
- Getting your ducts cleaned regularly will increase the longevity of your HVAC system. You can hire professional cleaning services to clean the ducts of dust, mold or any rodent presence. Periodically cleaning the HVAC system will not only reduce the chances for damages and repairs but also improve indoor air quality.
- When it comes to installing a heating and cooling system, we recommend you choose a heat pump so you don’t have to invest in maintaining two independent systems. Heat pumps work perfectly for circulating cold air and heat through the ducts.
- Before you make a final decision of choosing a particular heating and cooling system, you must check their energy consumption levels. Make sure that the system won’t increase your energy bills through the roof in just a year of installation.
Choosing, purchasing, installing and maintaining a heating and cooling system can be a big project. There are many technical aspects you have to consider when installing or replacing your HVAC system. A local Ottawa-based HVAC specialist will guide you through the project and make the process easier for you. You can choose a specialist by checking their Star Score, verification badge and homeowner reviews on HomeStars before making a hiring decision.