Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend annual maintenance for your heating system in the fall and your cooling system in the spring. Regular maintenance catches small issues before they become expensive repairs, keeps your system running at peak efficiency, and maintains your manufacturer warranty. Our maintenance plans include both visits at a discounted rate.

A heating tune-up includes a combustion analysis, heat exchanger inspection, gas pressure check, blower motor assessment, filter replacement, thermostat calibration, and carbon monoxide testing. A cooling tune-up includes refrigerant level check, condenser coil cleaning, electrical connection inspection, capacitor testing, and condensate drain clearing. We test the full system in operating mode before we leave.

Yes, we offer financing through our lending partners for qualifying customers. Plans range from 12 to 60 months with competitive rates. We also help you apply for BC Hydro, FortisBC, and CleanBC rebates which can offset $1,000 to $6,000 of your installation cost depending on the equipment and your current system.

Pacific Air Comfort is fully licensed by the City of Vancouver and carries comprehensive general liability insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage. Our technicians hold Gas Fitter Class B tickets and HVAC/R journeyman certifications. We're also a registered contractor with BC Safety Authority for gas work.

Yes, we offer same-day emergency service for heating failures during cold weather. Call us at (604) 555-0199 and select the emergency option. We have technicians on call evenings and weekends during the heating season. Emergency calls are prioritized and most are resolved within 4 hours of your call.

We serve Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, and Richmond. Our service area covers the entire Lower Mainland core, from UBC to Burnaby's eastern boundary, and from Richmond to the upper reaches of the North Shore. Same-day service is available throughout our coverage area.

Most furnace installations are completed in one day, typically 6-8 hours. This includes removing the old unit, installing the new furnace, connecting gas and electrical, testing the system, and cleaning up. If ductwork modifications or gas line upgrades are needed, the job may extend to a second day. We'll let you know the expected timeline during your estimate.

Furnace sizing depends on your home's square footage, ceiling height, insulation levels, number of windows, and local climate conditions. We perform a Manual J load calculation for every installation to determine the exact BTU output your home needs. A furnace that's too large will short-cycle and waste energy; too small won't keep up on cold days. Never trust a contractor who sizes by square footage alone.

Absolutely. Vancouver's mild climate is ideal for heat pump technology. Heat pumps operate most efficiently in moderate temperatures, and Vancouver rarely drops below -5°C. A heat pump can reduce your heating costs by 50-60% compared to a gas furnace, provides air conditioning in summer, and qualifies for substantial CleanBC rebates — up to $6,000 for qualifying installations. For most Vancouver homes, a heat pump pays for itself within 5-7 years.

AC sizing requires a load calculation that accounts for your home's square footage, sun exposure, insulation, window area, ceiling height, and the number of occupants. We use Manual J calculations for every installation. An undersized unit will run constantly without adequately cooling your home. An oversized unit will cool too quickly without properly dehumidifying, leaving your home cold and clammy. Proper sizing is the single most important factor in AC performance.

We recommend duct cleaning every 3-5 years for most homes. You should clean your ducts sooner if you've completed renovations (drywall dust spreads everywhere), moved into a home with pets from previous owners, notice visible dust buildup around registers, or if anyone in your household has allergies or asthma. Post-renovation duct cleaning should be done as soon as the construction work is complete.

A new high-efficiency gas furnace installed in a Vancouver home typically costs between $4,500 and $7,500, depending on the brand, model, and any ductwork modifications needed. This includes removal of the old unit, the new furnace, installation labour, permits, and a thermostat. We provide detailed written estimates with no hidden costs. Rebates from FortisBC can reduce your cost by $1,000 or more.

Heat pump installation in the Vancouver area ranges from $6,000 to $12,000 depending on the type of system (ducted, ductless, or hybrid), the size of your home, and any infrastructure upgrades needed. CleanBC rebates can offset $3,000 to $6,000 of this cost. After rebates, many homeowners pay between $4,000 and $8,000 net for a complete heat pump installation.

Our diagnostic fee is $99 for a standard service call during business hours. This covers the technician's travel to your home and a thorough diagnosis of the issue. If you proceed with the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied to the total repair cost — so you only pay the repair price. We provide the repair cost upfront before starting any work, so there are no surprises.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures how efficiently an AC unit or heat pump cools your home over an entire season. Higher SEER ratings mean lower operating costs. Current minimum standards require at least 14 SEER for new installations. We typically install units rated 16-20 SEER, which offer the best balance of efficiency and cost. A 16 SEER unit uses about 15% less energy than a 14 SEER unit.

AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It measures what percentage of the gas your furnace burns actually becomes heat for your home. A 96% AFUE furnace converts 96 cents of every dollar of gas into heat — only 4 cents goes up the flue. Older furnaces may be as low as 60-80% AFUE. We install furnaces rated 95-98% AFUE, which means significantly lower gas bills compared to older equipment.

A two-stage furnace has two levels of heating output: a lower stage for mild days and a higher stage for cold snaps. The furnace runs on the lower stage most of the time, which is quieter, more efficient, and provides more even temperatures throughout your home. It only ramps up to full capacity when the thermostat calls for more heat. Two-stage furnaces are more comfortable and efficient than single-stage models.