Welcome to the Vancouver resource page here on where we’ll be sharing the best plumbing and heating businesses in Vancouver, BC to help with all your boiler and furnace needs to ensure you can feel comfortable and confident in whatever choices you decide for your Vancouver, BC home as a customer. Before we get to the referrals I’ve prepared for you, I highly suggest you take some time to read the information we have for you below that covers the importance of regular servicing, what you should expect to be receiving when you hire a Vancouver contractor to come in to do the furnace and boilers-service, how a proper estimate is handled when preparing for new installation or replacement, the benefits of investing in higher efficiency appliances, and how to properly measure for yourself if updated appliances are necessary for your Vancouver, BC home or not.


Boiler Service and Furnace Maintenance in Vancouver

Furnaces create heat by burning fuel (gas or propane). When the fuel burns, it generates hot gasses which travel through curved metal tubing called a heat exchanger. As air passes the heat exchanger, it absorbs heat from the hot metal surface. The heated air is then circulated through ducts to warm your home or place of business. Meanwhile, the gasses (combustion air) that are created by the burning fuel are released outside through a metal or plastic vent pipe. A heat exchanger that is cracked or contains holes or small leaks can release carbon monoxide into your home or place of business. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and is virtually impossible for the human senses to detect. In fact, because carbon monoxide is so hard to detect and is so deadly it has earned the nickname “The Silent Killer”. Most accidental carbon monoxide poisonings occur from house fires, malfunctioning home-heating systems, and hot-water heaters. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning vary significantly. The most common acute symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. Many carbon monoxide victims frequently attribute these nonspecific symptoms to viruses or flu-like illnesses. Severe continued cases of carbon monoxide poisoning may lead to coma and death. To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning inside your home or place of business, it is extremely important an experienced technician service your furnace annually. An annual check-up should include a thorough inspection of the heating unit for cracks, holes, and gas leak possibilities that can release carbon monoxide into the air. To reduce the risk of fire, the flame itself should be checked for a proper mixture of air and gas. Likewise, the safety and limit switches should be tested to ensure that the fan runs whenever the heat exchanger is hot and that the unit will shut off should the flame burn beyond the confines of the box. With that all being said, have you booked your annual check up yet with a Vancouver contractor? If you wanna ensure you're living in a safe environment with an efficient heating system then please follow these responsibilities.

The best period to schedule a furnace maintenance inspection and furnace cleaning is right before you plan on turning the heat back on since we live in Vancouver, BC where we deal with regular climate change. A furnace is among the most expensive appliances in the home but it is easy to neglect, even more so when the weather is hot. During the spring and summer seasons, furnaces stand dormant in basements across the country, collecting hazardous dust, dirt and debris within blowers and electrical components. Over time, this buildup becomes hazardous to a homeowner’s wallet and health, but it can easily be prevented by an annual visit from a licensed Vancouver, BC heat technician. Annual maintenance costs are modest and the financial and health benefits from a clean furnace are more than worth it. Homeowners can take on some of the work themselves, like replacing filters seasonally, but a proper furnace cleaning and tune-up should be done by a licensed technician in Vancouver BC who've got the proper HVAC supplies ready to use. A qualified service technician can quickly and conveniently inspect, clean, and diagnose a heating system ensuring it is safe and ready for the coming winter months.

Inspections and heat service performed by a licensed technician should include the following:

A safety test for carbon monoxide (CO);
Checking for hazardous debris in the chimney and flue;
Cleaning of air filters and re-installing;
Checking operation of thermostat and safety controls;
Checking gas pilot safety system and cleaning as required;
Cleaning the motor and fan;
Checking the blower operation;
Checking condition, tension and alignment of fan belt, and performing required adjustments (on older systems);
Cleaning burners and setting for proper combustion and ignition;
Checking the gas piping to the furnace.
Yearly cleaning and furnace service extends the life, prevents the risk of expensive emergency furnace repairs, and improves air quality leading to a reduction of allergies, asthma, and other illness. A well-maintained heating system can also deliver greater furnace efficiency, which prevents energy waste and homeowners from getting burned by ever increasing heating costs.

So now, what about the serving of your boiler?

The Vancouver contractor should inspect your boiler and controls to make sure it's all running properly to start the boiler service.
The inspection will include checking your boiler for corrosion and gas leaks.
A pressure check will ensure your boiler is operating at the right gas pressure.
A flue test will ensure any harmful emissions aren't being released from your boiler into your home.
Your boilers parts will be cleaned if necessary.
Your boilers casing will be put back on and properly sealed.
A checklist should be left after which includes all of the relevant information you need about the safety of your boiler.

And remember any service you get done for your furnace, water heater, boiler, or gas fireplace during a specific period of time will allow you to claim a rebate that Fortis BC provides for the homes in Vancouver. $25 is accredited to your Fortis BC account that will be given after you receive your invoice and finish the application.


Boiler and Furnace Issues

Before we get into all the common problems homeowners in Vancouver deal with and how they can all be fixed we must first start with the fundamentals which of course is the responsibility you have in maintaining a regular furnace and boiler service annually to avoid the chances of a large furnace repair or, boiler one to begin with. A furnace repair and boiler repair as we all know are going to be an excruciating and unavoidable predicament we’re all going to have to face but there are steps you can take to avoid having to get a repair more often than needed to help make the process easier on yourself. First, as stated already above is to keep up a regular maintenance, service, cleaning, and to simply learn the basics for yourself so you know what exactly is going on at all times with your furnace or boiler so you can pinpoint specific problems before they grow into a larger one.

The Most Common Problems To Your Furnace Parts:

Blower Problems
There are several possible causes of blower issues. The first thing to check if your furnace seems to be blowing cool air, or not enough air. A dirty filter might be one of the reasons for blower issues as it can block airflow, resulting in less air through the ducts while forcing the furnace to overheat, and shut itself off. A dirty filter can be the cause of several furnace issues and cause for repair so by cleaning or repairing a filter regularly is a simple step all homeowners in Vancouver can follow.

A wall-mounted thermostat or the limit switch located on the furnace below the plenum can cause the blower to run continuously. The plenum is the box that distributes heated air to the ducts. If the air gets too hot, the limit switch is set to shut off the furnace. Check to see if the fan switch located on the thermostat is turned on. If it is on, turn it off or to auto. Also, if you have a digital thermostat, check the batteries. Bad thermostat batteries can cause the furnace to run continuously or not at all. If it is already set to off or auto and the batteries are fine, call a technician in Vancouver, BC to adjust the limit switch.

Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is a sealed compartment inside the furnace where the air is blown across a hot metal surface and then distributed throughout the house. When a heat exchanger fails or cracks, dangerous gasses such as carbon monoxide can leak into the house. Heat exchangers, like everything else, will wear out with time. A broken heat exchanger cannot be repaired; instead, it must be replaced by a Vancouver HVAC and heating contractor. If the heat exchanger is not still covered under the warranty, replacing the entire furnace is often a preferable and more cost-effective option opposed to getting a major furnace repair done that may cause as much as a new furnace anyway.

Circuit Board Errors
The circuit board, or control board, is basically the brain of a furnace. It controls ignition and blower functions as well as system diagnostics. As part of the diagnostics control, the circuit board has diagnostic indicators, usually flashing codes, to let the homeowner or service tech know what is wrong with the furnace. There is usually a chart on the inside of the front or access panel of the furnace which explains the flashing codes. Many repair problems can be fixed with a reset button or by changing a switch, but sometimes the problem is the board itself. A Vancouver homeowner with experience with electronics can replace a circuit board, but it is usually a good idea to have it professionally done.

Noise Issues
Your furnace may make a variety of noises that don’t seem normal. Some are nothing to worry about, but others can indicate a need for repair. A squealing sound can be worn motor bearings, while a loud thumping noise is usually caused by a blower wheel that is out of balance. This should be repaired before it causes further damage to the furnace. If the furnace is making a humming noise but not running, this indicates a faulty fan motor or capacitor. Rattling from the ductwork is often caused by a loose hanger, which can be fixed by tightening any loose screws or adding duct tape to any loose pieces of ductwork. A loud bang when the unit turns on or off can be from the duct work popping in or out from pressure changes, or it could be a potentially dangerous ignition malfunction. The best thing to do if you are concerned about a sound from your furnace and can’t figure out the cause is to contact a gas fitter in Vancouver, BC for an emergency furnace repair. Chances are it’s a simple fix, and if not, you’ll be glad you called.

Ignition Problems
A furnace that will not ignite can lead to a very cold home, and nobody wants that. There are several possible causes for a furnace that won’t light. One reason is a lack of fuel. Be sure to make sure you have enough gas or oil. Sounds simple, but it’s very easy to overlook. Check that the power switch is on. If it is, check the master switch and circuit breaker or fuse. There's a possibility that the electrical system may have overloaded. If there is no circuit breaker trip or a blown fuse, the problem may be with a faulty thermostat or old batteries. If the pilot light does not light or remain lit, check the thermocouple to see if it is positioned properly in the pilot flame.

The Most Common Repair Problems For The Boiler Are:

Radiators Do Not Heat


If your radiator is hot at the bottom and cold at the top, this may be due to a buildup of air, rust in the pipes, or an issue with the pump (i.e. the hot water is not being circulated properly).

What to do:

The first thing you should do is bleed your radiators to remove any air that is trapped in the system. If this does not improve the heating issues, you may require a power flush.

Boiler Turns Off


This can happen for a number of different reasons, including low water pressure, thermostat issues, or if you have a frozen condensate pipe, air in the system or a faulty pump.

What to do:

If it is cold outside, you may need to thaw your condensate pipe. You can also try bleeding your radiators to remove any air in the system. If you notice that your water pressure is low, you can phone your supplier to see if there is any work going on in your area.

Pilot Light Keeps Going Out


The most common reason for this happening is a faulty thermocouple, although it can also be caused by damaged seals.

What to do:

In either case, this matter is best left in the hands of a highly trained professional heat contractor in Vancouver, BC to handle.

Noisy Boiler or Noisy Central Heating


A noisy boiler is often caused by “Kettling”, which is a build up of limescale in the heat exchanger. Banging, gurgling, rumbling or whistling pipes can be caused by a buildup of limescale or air in the system.

What to do:

By bleeding your radiator or power flushing your pipes, you can remove limescale and air from your system. If the noise continues, you should book a service with a qualified engineer.

Thermostat Doesn’t Work Correctly


This could be caused by a faulty thermostat. Older thermostats tend to deteriorate over time and can cause issues for your central heating system.

What to do:

Before you call an engineer, check out our troubleshooting tips below.

A Gas Leak is Causing My Boiler to Drip


There are a number of reasons why this may happen, such as loose connections inside the boiler, to broken parts.

What to do:

This type of fault can only be fixed by a qualified heating engineer.

Boiler is Losing Pressure


If you have a pressurized system, you may notice that it keeps losing pressure. This could be caused by a water leak, or a problem with the expansion vessel.

What to do:

You may be able to repressurise your boiler yourself, by following the instructions in your boiler manual. If not, a trained engineer will be able to help you with this.

Lastly ..

Another quick tip I can give you guys is to try and get a flat fee set with upfront pricing before any work is done so you know what you’re working with to eliminate any chances of overcharging. There’s no reason to why your repairs may cost more than a similar repair they’ve done for another house in Vancouver, BC so making the effort in finding a gas fitter who won't waver in their pricing. If the gas technicians aren’t willing to oblige to those terms then it’s best you find yourself another gas company around Vancouver, BC. Also, you should ask for all the details to why the job is priced that way so you know exactly what you’re putting your hard-earned money into. Of course, we'll be providing a number of excellent gas, heat, cooling, and plumbing companies in Vancouver BC that we've extensively researched but do take the time yourself to review all the available options around here. You can also use the BBB as another resource to help out when reviewing all the best furnace repair and boiler service options in Vancouver BC.

Other Locations You Can Find Tuitools Approved Gas Fitters for your Furnace and Boiler Service:

Surrey, BC
Langley, BC
Burnaby, BC
Abbotsford, BC
White Rock, BC
North Vancouver, BC
Maple Ridge, BC
Richmond, BC
Coquitlam, BC


Contact Us

Let us know what you need and we'll answer back as soon as we can for your FREE consultation!

Boiler Service