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When Should You Call an Emergency Plumber in Edmonton?

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Sharing our knowledge and expertise on furnaces, plumbing, gas fitting, process piping, and more!

 

When Should You Call an Emergency Plumber in Edmonton?

We are often asked by Edmonton home and business owners with a plumbing issue whether it’s an emergency situation. However, the reality is that there’s never a convenient time for a home or business owner to call (and hire) a plumber, there are certainly moments when it is absolutely mandatory that you call an emergency plumber in Edmonton.

The main concern that constitutes a plumbing emergency is whether or not there is flooding. Therefore, if there is any sign of a flood you will need to call a plumber immediately. However, if it’s not and it is after hours, you should be able to wait till regular business hours for service.

If you are the operator of a restaurant or night club, a plumbing emergency could possibly shut you down for the night, resulting in lost revenue. In order words, a reliable plumbing contractor such as JW Brian Plumbing & Heating is essential for avoiding a disaster. We are available 7 days a week for all your plumbing emergencies.

To help you understand the underlying causes of an emergency plumbing scenario in Edmonton, we have created this simple article that outlines the most common emergencies.

1. Frozen Pipes

If a pipe is exposed to sub zero temperatures for too long there is a strong likelihood the water within the pipe will freeze and burst. In this instance, call a plumber immediately and close the main shutoff valve. However, if the pipe hasn’t split, then slowly thaw the pipes (DO NOT USE A FLAME) otherwise the quick expansion may burst the pipe.

2. Sewage Backup

sewage-backup

Some of the common causes of sewage backup include tree roots, collapsed sewer lines (older neighborhoods), or a clogged drain. Whatever the case or time of the year in Edmonton, a sewage backup is most certainly an emergency plumbing situation.

3. Leaking Pipes and Plumbing Fixtures

In many cases a leaky pipe or fixture may not qualify as an emergency if you can contain it. In other words, if you can contain the water temporarily (bucket) or shut the water off to the water line or fixture.

If you can’t control the leak and there is significant flooding, you will need to call an emergency plumber immediately.

What isn't an Emergency Plumbing Situation?

You will save yourself extra costs by not calling a plumber after hours. Most plumbing problems do not fall into the “emergency” category. This may include: These are just a few standard, non-emergency occasions to call a plumber. If you are in Edmonton and are unsure whether you have a plumbing crisis on your hands, feel free to contact us.

Emergency Plumbing Problem? Contact JW Brian Plumbing & Heating!

basement flooding with couple on stairs

Are you a Edmonton based home or business owner and dealing with an emergency plumbing situation? Feel free to contact  JW Brian Plumbing and Heating at  (780) 249-1496.

 

We Are Here To Help

Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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What to Look For in a Good Plumber or Plumbing Contractor in Edmonton?

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What to Look For in a Good Plumber or Plumbing Contractor in Edmonton?

John standing in front of Van

What to Look For in a Good Plumber or Plumbing Contractor in Edmonton? Plumbing is a compulsory trade, meaning the only people allowed to work in this trade, by law, are either Certified Journeyman or Registered Apprentices. For many in need of a plumber in Edmonton, the process of finding and hiring the right person/company usually goes something like this:

  1. Go to Google and search “Edmonton plumber”.
  2. Scan the first page of the search results or possibly a local review site or directory (e.g. Homestars).
  3. Pick a few companies that came into their view first or have high reviews.
  4. Call a few of these companies for rates and availability.

There’s nothing wrong with this step-by-step because not only is it simple and puts you (the customer) in control, but it’s also the easiest way to weed through so many options.

As of this article’s publish date, a Google search for “Edmonton plumbers”  yields 1,170,000 results, Yelp hosts 286 plumbing companies, the BBB lists 400+ plumbers. When you also consider there are 30,000+ businesses of all types and sizes in Edmonton (as of 2016), it’s no surprise why we try to simplify our search for local products or services — there are just too many options to choose from!

With this in mind, this guide is meant to assist you when hiring your next plumber in Edmonton. We hope to equip you with a set of questions to ask so you can obtain the right information and ultimately hire the right Plumber or Plumbing Contractor for the job.

Here are seven questions you should ask the next Plumber or Plumbing Contractor (or seek to have answered) when you are in need of of plumbing services:

1. Are they a Certified Journeymen/ Registered Apprentice within the Province of Alberta?

certified-journeymen-or-a-registered-apprentice-with-the-Province-of-Alberta

Plumbing is a compulsory trade, meaning the only people allowed to work in this trade, by law, are either Certified Journeyman or Registered Apprentices with the province of Alberta. The reason for this is the protection of the general public’s health. All your major plagues through out history have been caused by poor sanitation!

In essence, a Journeyman is a skilled worker certified and authorized to perform a specific trade by the Province of Alberta. A Registered Apprentice is an individual registered with the Province of Alberta, who is still in training and has not yet completed their necessary education, training, and examination to become a Certified Journeyman.

A good question when hiring a Plumber or Plumbing Contractor would be, is the individual coming to your home or business a Certified Journeyman/Registered Apprentice, and is he or she experienced in the type of work you need done?

2. Are they licensed with the city, insured, and bonded?

city-of-edmonton

Let’s say you hire a Plumber, they complete the job, then due to an oversight by the plumber, the next day you wake up to a leaky pipe and incredible flood damage in your home. Who is responsible for the damage and covering the cost to clean up and repair?

Naturally it is the Plumbing Contractor, but unless they have insurance, chances are you will be on the hook for the damage.

For your protection and peace of mind, you should confirm that the Plumber or Plumbing Contractor is licensed with the City of Edmonton, insured, and bonded.

3. How long have they been in business for?

This question is often missed or forgotten about. Ideally you should be hiring a Plumber or Plumbing Contractor that has been in business for at least a few years and has all of the right qualifications (mentioned above).

4. Are they experienced with all different types of materials?

plumbing-materials

The plumbing materials used in residential and commercial applications have evolved tremendously over the decades. For instance, decades ago a popular material for building drains was clay (we still see this in older homes in Edmonton). Today there are more materials used from cast iron to modern plastics.

It can be a bit difficult to know what material(s) a Plumber should be experienced with. However, you may be able to gain insights through:

  • Their website
  • Past work experience
  • Asking them what materials they have dealt with in the past.

5. Do they have a wide range and the right type of experience?

experienced-plumbers-edmonton

Touched upon above, you want to be sure the plumber or Plumbing Contractor you are considering has a wide range of experience and the right type of experience for the work you need done.

As for discovering if a Plumber/Contractor has the right type of experience, ask if they have been focused on new construction or servicing. The two require a very different skill set. If you are dealing with a plumbing emergency or are in need of a repair, you will need someone who has an extensive background in plumbing service (not new construction) for your home or business.

6. Are they equipped with reliable tools?

plumber-reliable-tools

A good tradesman has all the the right tools required to complete a task. They should be in good shape, clean and not worn out. An indicator of a good Plumber is how well equipped he is, and the condition of his tools & equipment.

A good question for a Plumber or Contractor is “Are they properly equipped to perform this work?”

7. What are their reviews like online?

Online reviews can be misleading since no two review websites are the same. They each have their own ranking systems, nuances, and ways to choose which customer reviews they would like to display. For example, some review sites post mainly negative reviews unless you’ve paid to advertise with them.

However, when searching for a Plumber online, we recommend still checking one’s reviews and to look for any patterns. Do they get rave reviews for a specific type of service? Are many reviewers critical of a specific aspect of a company’s service (e.g. rates, time to arrive, etc.)?

These are just a few questions you should be seeking to answer. Here are a few good sources that are local to Edmonton:

For Professional Plumbing service in Edmonton, at a reasonable rate, please contact JW Brian Plumbing and Heating at:  (780) 249-1496.

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Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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How Much are Carrier Furnace Replacement Parts in Edmonton?

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Sharing our knowledge and expertise on furnaces, plumbing, gas fitting, process piping, and more!

 

How Much are Carrier Furnace Replacement Parts in Edmonton?

carrier-furnace-parts-cost

Replacement parts for Carrier furnaces can have a wide range of prices. In this article, we will attempt to list the prices of the most common and main components of the Carrier furnace.

Note: All prices are in Canadian dollars and does not include dispatch, diagnosis and installation fees. Also, this is only a rough guide based on our extensive experience servicing hundreds of Carrier furnaces in Edmonton, Alberta.

JW Brian Plumbing & Heating does not supply replacement components for furnaces to the general public, only as part of our repair service.

Blower Motor

blower-motor

The blower motor on your furnace is responsible for turning the fan to circulate the warm air out of the furnace into your home. Blower motors on a Carrier furnace can range from as low as $300 to $1200 for an ECM motor, depending on your model.

Draft Inducer

draft-inducer

The draft inducer is a fan that removes the gases created from the combustion process in your furnace. Like the blower motor, the Carrier draft inducer can have a wide price range, from as low as $250.00 to as high as $900, once again depending on your model.

Control Board (motherboard)

control-board-mother-board

The control board on a furnace is a circuit board that controls the operation of your furnace. A Carrier control board or as some call it, the motherboard, can range in price from $300.00 to $800.00; depending on your model.

Gas Valve (combination gas control valve)

gas-valve

The gas valve or combination gas control valve opens and closes when there is a call for heat. The Carrier gas valves vary widely in price range, from $300 to $600, depending on your model.

Pressure Switch

pressure-switch

The pressure switch on your furnace is a safety device that detects the wrong pressure in your vent system preventing the furnace from operating when there is a issue. Carrier pressure switches, depending on your model, vary in price from $50.00 to $150.00.

Heat Exchangers

heat-exchanger

The heat exchanger on your furnace exchanges the heat from your furnace to the air in your home. There are two types of heat exchangers, each with their own price tag:

  1. High efficient – $500.00 to $1,000.00
  2. Mid-efficient – $300.00 to $800.00

Pilot Assembly

pilot-assembly

On older furnaces, you may have a standing pilot. The pilot assembly is the thermocouple and pilot orifice. The price can range from $100.00 to $250.00.

Hot Surface Ignitor

hot-surface-ignitor

On modern furnaces, they have done away with a pilot light and installed a device that heats up red hot to ignite the gases when the gas valve is turned on.They range in price from $80.00 to $150.00.

Flame Sensor

flame-sensor

The flame sensor on your furnace detects the burners are in fact burning the gas. It is a safety device, shutting down the furnace when the gas valve is releasing gas but not burning. Prices can from $25.00 to $50.00.

High Limit Switch

high-light-switch

The high limit switch is another safety device that shuts the furnace down when it detects over heating of the furnace. Prices range from $25.00 to $75.00

Flame Rollout Switch

flame-light-switch

The flame rollout switch detects flames rolling out from the combustion chamber, shutting the furnace down when it detects this unsafe problem. Priced from $15.00 to $25.00.

Condensate Pump

Condensate-Pump

The condensate pump discharges the condensate from high efficient furnaces to a place of disposal when there is not a floor drain available. Prices range from $150.00 to $250.00.

Questions About Your Carrier Furnace or Replacement Part?

If you have a question regarding your Carrier Furnace or a Carrier Furnace Component, please call JW Brian Plumbing and Heating at 780-249-1496.

We Are Here To Help

Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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How to Clean Your Kitchen Drain in Edmonton in Three Easy Steps

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How to Clean Your Kitchen Drain in Edmonton in Three Easy Steps

clogged-kitchen-sink-edmonton

Is your kitchen drain all plugged up? This is one of the most common issues to plague homeowners, particularly if you own an older home.

If you have a clogged or plugged kitchen drain, this guide outlines three straightforward steps to clean yourself before calling a professional.

1. Check the Trap

It’s not likely the problem but the first thing you should do is check it the trap is clogged. If your kitchen drain is using a plastic trap, you will be able to disconnect it from the sink drain by loosening the jam nuts on the trap and the trap adapter. Remove the trap and clean.

kitchen-trap

If your drain is using an older copper trap, it could be difficult to remove the trap, there may be a plug you can remove from the bottom to access the inside and clean as best as you can.

2. Check the Underground Drain

underground-drain-pipe

If your drain is still clogged, the problem is most likely in the underground drain in the basement. There should be a cleanout at the base of the kitchen drain stack. To locate, simply follow the drain from the kitchen sink into the basement. At the floor level in the basement there should be a cleanout provided for cleaning the underground portion of the kitchen drain.

3. Rent a Drain Cleaner

drain-cleaner-equipment

You will more than likely need to rent a drain cleaner from your local equipment rental store, such as Home Depot. As this equipment can be a little dangerous, unless you have hands-on experience, you may require the services of a professional, such as JW Brian Plumbing & Heating.

Still can’t unclog your kitchen drain? Contact JW Brian Plumbing and Heating!

If after reading this guide you are still dealing with a clogged kitchen drain, give us a call and we will help you get the job done. We are on call 7 days a week !! (Subject to availability) To book an appointment, please call us at (780) 249-1496.

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We Are Here To Help

Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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Gas Permits in Edmonton – The Complete Guide

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Sharing our knowledge and expertise on furnaces, plumbing, gas fitting, process piping, and more!

 

Gas Permits in Edmonton – The Complete Guide

Since our inception in 2011, we have installed hundreds of gas lines for a range of appliances, such as BBQs, kitchen stoves, fireplaces, garage heatersdeck heatersfire tables, and clothing dryers.

Given the hazards of gas-powered appliances and devices, we have fielded a lot of questions about the general process and the regulations surrounding gas in Edmonton. The focus of this guide is to answer some of the most common inquiries we’ve received. This can serve as a useful reference point for you as an Edmonton homeowner or business owner.

However, if after reading our guide you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phoning us at (780) 249-1496.

Do I need a gas permit in Edmonton, and if so, in what instance(s)?

gas-line-permit-edmonton

By far the most commonly asked question is whether or not a gas permit is required for a gas line installation.

In all cases and for both homeowners and business owners, the answer is YES. Any alteration to a natural gas system in Edmonton requires a gas permit prior to commencing the work and inspection by the local governing authority. This includes retesting and the simple addition of a gas shut-off at the meter for any gas-powered appliance installation.

What is a gas permit anyway?

Simply put, a gas permit is authorization from the local governing authority ( in our case, the City of Edmonton) for a homeowner or a licensed Plumbing Contractor to install gas lines and gas appliances, such as furnaces, pool heaters and garage heaters.

So why do I need a gas permit?

You might be asking yourself, is a gas permit really that important? Is this just a cash grab by the City and another layer of government bureaucracy?

To answer these questions, it may be easier to first understand why gas permits were first introduced. Historically, permits and inspections were introduced due to improper gas use and installation; leading to preventable explosions and deaths (such as below, albeit thankfully there were no deaths).

gas-line-explosion-essex-england
The devastating effect of an improper gas line installation in Essex, England in February, 2014. 10 people were injured as a result. Miraculously, no one died.

While it is unclear when gas permits were first brought into use, the key point is that it is for the safety and protection of you and your fellow Edmontonians. Take for example what happened when a gas line erupted just west of Edmonton on June 29, 2017:

Although this incident above was not due to an improper installation or lack of a gas permit. It does highlight the dangers of gas and why an inspection and permit are critical.

To summarize, a gas permit is mandatory for two reasons:

  1. It’s for your own safety – the provincial Safety Codes Act is set up to ensure you and the community’s wellbeing.
  2. It’s the law – It is against the law to not obtain a gas permit when required.

Got it. Now how do I get a gas permit?

There are two ways you can acquire a gas permit:

  1. Through a licensed mechanical contractor – such as J.W. Brian Plumbing & Heating. For your convenience and peace of mind we will:
    1. Complete any type of gas line installation
    2. Handle the permit application
    3. Book the appointment with the inspector.
  2. On your own – You must apply in-person at the City of Edmonton’s office. (2nd Floor of the Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue NW) for $108.00 plus the $4.50 safety fee and taxes. More information on this process can be found at the City’s Residential Gas Permits page.
city-of-edmonton-inspector-gas-permit

After the work is finished and permit/s are submitted an inspector from your city will review the work and will issue you an approval.

Note that if the inspector needs to enter the residence, someone will need be present to allow him in. If the inspection takes place outside of the home, they will simply enter the property with permission.

Need Help With Gas Permits? Contact JW Brian Plumbing and Heating!

We are here to help if you need help with your gas permitting or gas line installation

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How Much Does it Cost to Install a Gas Line in Edmonton?

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Sharing our knowledge and expertise on furnaces, plumbing, gas fitting, process piping, and more!

 

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Gas Line in Edmonton?

how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-a-gas-line-in-edmonton

It’s no secret that so many appliances we depend on everyday rely on natural gas. In Edmonton, some of the most common gas-powered appliances include BBQs, kitchen stoves, fireplaces, garage heaters, deck heaters, fire tables, and clothing dryers.

However, what is a mystery is how much it costs to install a gas line in Edmonton and how this price tag is formed. While it is difficult to lay out a precise pricing formula given the number of contributing factors, in this article we hope to give you – the end consumer – a clearer understanding of what to expect and consider; similar to what we strived for in our guide to furnace repair costs in Edmonton

The average cost to install a gas line in Edmonton

Based on our experience, we have found the cost to install a gas line in a Edmonton residence ranges from about $700.00 – $1,500.00.

For an accurate quote, it is necessary for an on-site inspection. Below are 8 factors that we will consider when determining the scope of the project and final cost.

1. Gas Supply Capacity

Gas fitting, gas line installation

One of the first things we do when we arrive on site to conduct our free estimation is to determine if the existing system has the capacity to install the new gas appliance. It is possible that the meter does not have the capacity, in which case the gas company will be more than glad to install a larger meter free of charge as they will be selling more gas.

2. Length of Gas Line

JW Brian Plumbing & Heating has installed hundreds of gas lines ranging in length from a mere foot to hundreds of feet in a commercial application.

The length of the gas line affects not only the time involved for the installation but the size of pipe necessary to deliver the correct amount of gas to the appliance as the further away you get from the source of gas to the appliance, the larger the pipe needs to be due to friction loss.

Another factor to consider is the fact that a gas line less than 20 feet does not require a pressure test, only what is called a service test, basically checking the joints with soapy water. No bubbles, no troubles! Over 20 feet, there is to be a pressure test witnessed by the city inspector, and a return trip to tie the gas line into the supply, obviously a more time consuming situation. For more information on this subject, be sure to read the City of Edmonton’s detailed overview on Residential Gas Permits.

3. Number of Offsets

A gas line offset is a change in direction of the pipe.
A gas line offset is a change in direction of the pipe.

It is one thing to hang a piece of pipe that is 20 feet long into a couple of hangers in your basement ceiling, now cut that same piece 6 times, thread each piece, add fittings and additional hangers and one can see clearly how that same 20 feet of pipe has now taken you 3 times as long to install.

The number of offsets has a huge bearing on a final quote.

4. Accessibility

In other words, how accessible is the area where the gas line is to be installed? Are we running the gas line through  difficult surroundings, like under a deck, in a crawl space, through an attic,  or is it 50 feet in the air, requiring a man lift?. These are all accessibility factors that go into pricing a gas line installation.

5. Location

jw-brian-location-gas-fitting

Similar to accessibility, location also plays a role in gas line installation and the total cost. What we are taking into consideration here is will the gas line will be located:

  • Through the house
  • Outside of the house
  • Underground
  • Or a combination of the above

6. Size of Pipe

jw-brian-pipe-sizes-gas-fitting

Pipe size is determined by distance and the amount of BTU required. It goes without saying that the larger the pipe, the more expensive it will be.

JW Brian Plumbing & Heating always over sizes for the addition of future gas appliances.

For example, we run a gas line to your deck for a barbecue. We will ensure you can add a deck heater or elegant fire table down the road by installing a larger gas line which really only costs a few extra dollars and saves you having to run a new line in the future.

7. Type of Pipe

There are several types of pipe that can be used to transmit gas, each one impacting the final cost differently. We’ve listed the four main types below that you will find in Edmonton, from most expensive to least expensive:

  1. Gas Tight (most expensive)
  2. Copper
  3. Steel
  4. Plastic (least expensive)

8. Permit and Inspection

gas-line-permit-edmonton

A common question we receive is whether one needs a permit. In all cases, the answer is a simple: yes! Any alteration or addition to a gas system, unless downstream of an appliance shut off, requires a permit and inspection. JW Brian Plumbing and Heating will provide the permit and arranges the inspection on any work we contract.

Read our article Gas Permits in Edmonton – The Complete Guide for more information on gas permits.

Do you have questions or are you interested in a quote?

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Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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Pinpointing the affecting issue in a broken furnace isn't easy without professional help.

Broken Furnace – 10 Essential Tips to Keep in Mind

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Broken Furnace – 10 Essential Tips to Keep in Mind

broken-furnace-edmonton

Just like any household appliance, your home furnace will no doubt reach a day when it requires some level of repair. It could be that it’s making a minor noise or, worse yet, isn’t producing consistent heat. Regardless of the issue, you’ll need a specialist (such as JW Brian Plumbing & Heating) to repair your broken furnace and have it up and running again ASAP.

Additionally, after repairing hundreds of furnaces and gas appliances in the Edmonton area, one common question we’re asked is: “my furnace isn’t working, what should I do?”. You’re of course welcome to contact us and we can help with the repair, but you may be surprised to learn that you might not need us at all! With the advice shared in this guide, you may be able to troubleshoot or fix your furnace yourself.

10 Essential Tips When You Have a Broken Furnace

When the day arrives that you are dealing with a broken furnace, we recommend ten important tips:

  1. Is the Main Power on?
  2. Re-boot furnace
  3. Batteries in the thermostat
  4. Furnace filter isn’t blocked
  5. Ice buildup
  6. Check that the condensate trap isn’t clogged
  7. Ensure the vents are not obstructed
  8. Inspect Chimney 
  9. Call your furnace repair company 
  10. Use other sources of heat

1. Is the Main Power on?

As silly as it may sound, there have been times when a client has called us with a failing furnace only to discover the power is turned off.

So before anything, do yourself a favor and double check that your furnace’s power is turned *on*!

2. Re-boot furnace

furance-power-switch

On occasion, on modern, high efficient furnaces, a simple reboot of the furnace is all that is required, Simply turn the power off then back on after a couple minutes. Its a long shot, but you never know till you try.

3. Batteries in the Thermostat

Dead batteries are a fairly common problem, it is recommended to change your thermostat batteries yearly.

4. Inspect Furnace Filter

dirty-versus-new-furnace-filter
New vs. old dirty filter. If yours looks anything like the filter on the right, then it may be time for a replacement.

The furnace filter’s job is to protect the blower fan from dust, hair, and any other harmful contaminants that enter the furnace through the return duct.

After much use, the filter may become clogged and so dirty that it blocks the airflow and over heats the  furnace tripping it out. Thus, with the furnace power turned *off*, pull the filter out from the appliance and see how it compares to a new filter (such as the image above). Filters should be changed twice a year.

5. Ice buildup

On high-efficiency furnaces and particularly in cities with cold winters (such as Edmonton), a common reason for furnace failure is ice buildup in the air intake or exhaust of a furnace on the outside of the house.

Check that there isn’t a buildup of ice on the air intake or exhaust  preventing proper airflow.

6. Check that the condensate trap isn’t clogged

furnace-condensate-drain

Furthermore, another frequent issue with high-efficiency furnaces is the tremendous amount of moisture and condensate produced, which must be collected in a “trap” and drained out of the furnace.

Although the trap is a highly effective draining mechanism, it’s also quite rudimentary in nature and can be easily blocked. More information on condensate drains can be found at HVAC School.

7. Ensure the vents are not obstructed.

On a high efficient furnace, in addition to ice build up mentioned in step 5,  the air intake and exhaust vent may be blocked  with  foreign objects such as a bird’s nest or dead rodents. Check the vents and remove any foreign objects that may be clogging the airflow.

8. Inspect Chimney

plugged-chimney-birds-nest

On your older, gravity vented furnaces and mid efficient furnaces, you may have a obstructed chimney.. We have have found children’s toys, bird’s nests, and even one of Santa’s boots in a chimney. A yearly inspection of your chimney is advised.

Photo Above: An extreme example of one of  a obstructed chimney – birds nests.

9. Call your furnace repair company

In addition, if tips 1 through 8  are not effective in reviving your furnace to working order, then it is best to give us call. We are available 7 days a week for Heating and Plumbing emergencies.

10. Use other sources of heat

portable-space-heater

Lastly, if your furnace is failing to produce warm air and you are left with a cold home, then it never hurts to find another source of heat temporarily, such as a electric portable heater, fireplace, and of course, a few extra layers of clothing to get you through until your furnace is repaired.

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How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Furnace in Edmonton?

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Sharing our knowledge and expertise on furnaces, plumbing, gas fitting, process piping, and more!

 

How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Furnace in Edmonton?

how-much-will-it-cost-to-repair-my-furnace-social

Plain and simple, if you live in Edmonton it’s nearly impossible to live without a working, reliable furnace in your home. We might not need heat during the warmer summers months from May to August, but come September it’s an absolute necessity; especially when temperatures dip to below 0°C.

Here at JW Brian Plumbing & Heating, we’ve diagnosed and repaired hundreds of furnaces in the Edmonton and surrounding area on all makes and models.

To help prepare you for the day that your furnace is suddenly rattling or fails to produce heat,  we’d like to share some of our relevant knowledge on this topic. Through this guide, we will answer one of the most common questions customers ask us: “how much will it cost to fix my furnace?”.

As you’ll see below, there are a number of variables that will determine the final cost of a furnace repair. We will attempt here to give a reasonable approximation so at the very least you’ll have some idea of what to expect.

Note: the below cost approximations are based upon our experience and proven track record of servicing hundreds of furnaces in Edmonton, Alberta. Although we stand by these figures, the final cost may vary depending on the contractor you hire.

The average cost to repair a furnace in Edmonton

In our experience the average cost to repair a furnace in Edmonton ranges from $300.00 to $1,500.00 and averages out to around $700.00.

This is influenced by several factors which we will break down further below.

  1. Dispatch and diagnostic fee.
  2. The age, brand, & model of your furnace.
  3. Cost of labour.
  4. Cost of replacement components.

1. Diagnostic fee

All legit companies who offer furnace repair services will have a dispatch and diagnostic fee of some type. These fees are to cover the cost of doing business and vary between companies. Please call 780-249-1496 for our dispatch and diagnostic fees.

2. The age, brand & model of your furnace

The age, brand & model will influence the cost of repair. Concerning age, we have found a simple rule-of-thumb applies: older furnaces tend to be more affordable to repair than newer furnaces. This is due to the fact that the components for older furnaces are old technology, while newer furnaces use higher tech components that are more expensive to replace.

As well , the brand of your furnace will influence the cost of the replacement components. The more common brands in Edmonton are: LennoxCarrierGoodmanTrane, and York.

furnace brands that are inexpensive and expensive to repair in Edmonton

3. Cost of Labour

In addition to the age, brand & model of your furnace, it’s important to consider the contractor’s cost of labour. Due to the rate variance between contractors in Edmonton, you’ll likely need to do some research and asking around to find more information on installation fees.

4. Cost of replacement components

Furnaces are built to last and with proper maintenance and care should provide years of service , but there is no denying some components will wear out and need to be replaced in time.

Pinpointing the affecting issue in a broken furnace can be daunting without professional help.

Up until now, we’ve covered three factors in determining the approximate cost to repair a furnace. The final determining factor is the actual cost of the defective component that is preventing your furnace from working as it should.

Outlined below are 4 of the more common components we replace in the Edmonton area and they’re approximate costs.

  1. Draft inducer – the draft inducer is essentially a small fan that pulls the products of combustion through the heat exchanger. Draft inducers typically cost between $400.00 and $900.00.
  2. Blower motor – implied within the name, the blower motor pushes and circulates hot air from the furnace into your home over the heat exchanger. The cost for this component is $400.00 – $1,500.00.
  3. Control Board – the control board is the furnace’s computer controlling its functions. They range in price from $300 to $900
  4. Gas valves – the gas valve regulates and controls the flow of gas to the burners, and are integral to the appliance’s performance. There are various types of gas valves, the cost of this component is from $400.00 to $1,000.00.

Need help repairing your furnace? Let JW Brian Plumbing and Heating help.

If your furnace needs repairing, please feel free to contact us.  We are on call 7 days a week (Subject to availability). To book an appointment, please call us at (780) 249-1496.

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Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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