Forced air heating systems

New regulations

As of April 4, 2008, provincial regulations require that gas fired, force air furnaces installed in new houses and developments have a minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 90 per cent.

Delivering warmed air via a furnace and system of ducts is the most common method of home heating. But models do vary, especially in terms of efficiency and sizing.

4 reasons to choose natural gas forced air heating

can incorporate ventilation, filtration, humidification and air conditioning
reliable and cost effective source of heat
easy on the environment; natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel
safe with completely sealed combustion

Selecting the right sized system

Don’t pay extra for a system that provides more heat than the home really needs. The key is to choose a model and size that heats the home most efficiently.

There is an appropriately sized system for every space. To optimize energy efficiency when selecting a model, consider

your budget
space requirements for your development
your customers’ anticipated needs
a heat loss analysis by your contractor or mechanical engineer

Efficiency levels

Mid-efficiency furnaces generally rate about 80 per cent efficient, and use an exhaust fan to remove combustion by-products.

State of the art high efficiency units range from 90 per cent to 97 per cent efficient, and use two heat exchangers. They recover heat from combustion and flue gases, so most of the heat generated is put to use rather than lost. They can be vented through a wall, eliminating the need for a roof vent.

We recommend installing high efficiency heating systems wherever possible.

Wall Paks for multi-family development

Wall furnaces, or Wall Paks, are installed on exterior walls. They’re direct vented to the outside, so no inside air is used in the combustion process.

Depending on the climate, choose from heat-only or heat/cool models. Homeowners can upgrade a heat-only model later to provide air conditioning. You won’t require B-venting with a Wall Pak, and the direct vent can be covered with a grille.