Frequently Asked Questions

Furnace installations usually take 1-2 people more than half of a day.  That time can vary depending on the location of the furnace, the accessibility of the area & the removal of the old furnace.  We take all these into consideration when scheduling jobs. 

Furnaces we sell & install are covered thoroughly by a manufacturer warranty. Gasman is authorized to repair furnaces which means if you experience a defect we can order & install genuine replacement parts directly from the manufacturer.  After installing your furnace we provide you with the registration card to commence your warranty with the installation date of your furnace. 

Ask during our free estimate if there are any currently running government programs for rebates on energy-efficient furnace upgrades. Also under our resources section, you'll find a section on any HVAC purchase rebates we are aware of.  For the latest information check with Enbridge & National Resources Canada for eligibility. 

Condensing furnaces are the most efficient & expensive models available in Ottawa.  They have a secondary built in heat exchanger that extracts energy from the exhaust, energy that is put back into your home instead of being wasted by simply venting it outside. 

After requesting an estimate, we send technicians to you and determine the size and energy requirements of your home.  During our consultation, our staff will help you pick out the right size of furnace to replace your old one.  We use Jobber to send customers digital quotations so they can easily approve, reject or modify the HVAC services. Finally, we schedule a day that is convenient for you to have us come do the work. 

We provide maintenance on all makes and models of furnaces in Ottawa. Our professional gas technicians inspect, lubricate, test & clean every mechanical & electrical component of your heating equipment. 

Most furnaces operate at 100% power or 0% power.  Furnaces continually run at 1005 power until the desired (set) temperature has been reached. 

Advanced furnaces have two-stage heating controls that let it operate more efficiently.  The main benefits are that it improves temperature consistency, reduces unnecessary wear on the heating coils & helps reduce energy costs.

Also known as electronically commutated motor (ECM) variable speed motors can gradually ramp up fan spin depending on the amount of airflow required.  

Benefits of an ECM are:

-Whisper quiet furnace operation
-eliminates sudden air blast when heating equipment kicks on. 
-The fan uses 66% less electricity while operating at a low speed. 
-Improve air quality with constant (low energy, low noise) fan operation.
-Better temperature control, humidity control and air distribution in the home. 

When shopping for a new furnace in Ottawa inquire about furnaces that have variable speed motors. 

Air Conditioner installations usually take 1-2 people more than half of a day.  That time can vary depending on the location, the accessibility of the area & the removal of the old AC unit.  We take all these into consideration when scheduling jobs.

All of the air conditioners Gas Man installs are warrantied.  Registering your equipment extends the warranties for even longer, for free.

Check out information about HVAC equipment rebates (specific to Ottawa) in our resources section.  We try to keep it up to date but programs are continually changing. The most accurate information can be found at:

Natural Resources Canada

https://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/statistics/neud/dpa/policy_e/results.cfm?programtypes=4&regionaldeliveryid=7&attr=0

Enbridge Gas

https://www.enbridgegas.com/Using-Natural-Gas/Rebates

Air conditioners with a condensing unit use the heat from the exhaust to operate the evaporator coils more efficiently.  Without a condenser, the energy in the heated exhaust gas is wasted. 

After requesting an estimate, we send technicians to you and determine the size and energy requirements of your home.  During our consultation, our staff will help you pick out the right size of air conditioner to replace your old one.  We use Jobber to send customers digital quotations so they can easily approve, reject or modify the HVAC services. Finally, we schedule a day that is convenient for you to have us come do the work.

We service all makes and models of air conditioners in Ottawa.  Our professional gas technicians have a thorough inspection checklist to keep your cooling equipment operating smoothly. 

Muli-stage cooling allows your equipment to run at lower power reducing operating cost, and wear & tear all while maintaining a steady cool temperature inside the house. 

A fan operating at 100% power might use 10 times the amount of power compared to a fan running at just half that power. Having a variable speed motor provides significant energy savings compared to entry-level air conditioners. 

In most Ottawa homes you will find your hot water tank in the basement next to your furnace. 

Its located with the controls on the exterior of your hot water heater. Look for a dial or digital screen to increase or lower the water temperature.  Caution: Minor changes to water heater temperature settings can make extremely hot water, hot enough to burn you! Wait a few hours and ALWAYS CHECKjust how hot the hottest temperature setting in your home.  Consider reducing hot water temperature in a home with small children.  

Professionally installed & properly ventilated gas appliances should not emit CO.  However it is important to follow maintenance schedule to ensure the HVAC gas equipment in your home is tuned-up and operating safely.  As an added precaution EVERY Ottawa home should be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms just in case.

Condensing water heaters are highly efficient models that recirculate the heat from the exhaust before venting it to the outside. This improves performance and reduces heating costs.

Scheduling hot water tank maintenance with Gasman is a great way to keep your hot water tank from producing reddish-brown rust water. We recommend periodical water tank draining to prevent corrosion.  Draining boiling hot water is very dangerous and we recommend using an HVAC Contractor or Plumber to avoid the risk of injury. 

Call and schedule a gas technician to visit your home and get a price on the cost of equipment, parts, and installation. 

As hot water tanks age the inside corrodes and becomes rusty.  Any sediment usually settles to the bottom but the agitation of the water can cause it to come out of your tap. 

The fan and pilot light require a regular 110V plug to operate.    

This is a professional job for a licensed HVAC Contractor. Our gas technicians wall mount your water heater in the basement or closet usually near your old water heater. 

A well maintained tankless system should last over 20 years. 

Every 500 hours is a good interval (unless stated otherwise in the manual).  Many models include apps that help you monitor usage and service schedules. 

Condensing tankless water heaters are highly efficient models that recirculate the heat from the exhaust before venting it to the outside. This improves performance and reduces operating costs.

That depends on how you use hot water in your home. I estimate the average family in Ottawa can save around $200 on gas bills annually. 

Call and schedule a gas technician to visit your home and get a price on the cost of equipment, parts, and installation. 

It is a kind of HVAC equipment used for heating and cooling areas where installing ductwork is not possible.

Mini splits are very efficient. Why heat the whole house if you're using just one room? Plus there is no energy loss from ventilation which accounts for 30%!!!

With good maintenance and proper operation you should expect at least 20 years of heating & cooling.  

Residential mini-splits can connect up to four zones inside you home.  

Heat pumps are far more efficient than gas heaters but the short swimming season in Ottawa minimizes the cost savings.  Depending on how often you heat your pool heat pumps can be beneficial.  Speak with a gas technician to determine which product is best for you. 

Yes. Solar pool blankets can reduce pool heating costs by 50%. 

Yes, the plumbing connects to your water pump and filters.  Then we run a gas line from the meter to your pool equipment.  

For the best value, you should schedule maintenance service and get all the burners & coils cleaned at the same time. 

If you hired a pool company to winterize your pool heater make sure you remove the pressure sensor to expel any leftover water.

No, those are only designed to run devices connected to their 110 or 220-volt outlets. Running more electricity through them causes them to shut off. 

Yes, transfer switches protect appliances inside your home from a surge of electric frying them when the system kicks on. 

Just like a car, standby generators require regular maintenance.  

• Change the oil
• Change the air, oil & fuel filter
• Change the spark plugs
• Check & flush coolant
• Load testing
• Lubrication
• Plus, alternators, transfer switches, starters & air systems

Get Your Standby Generator Maintenance From Ottawa's Trusted HVAC Contractor.  

Standby whole house generators can be run indefinitely (pending maintenance schedules).  

Just like the power in your home if you overload the circuit breaker will engage. Tripped breakers disconnect power and can be flipped and turned back on. 

Heat Recovery Ventilation introduces fresh indoor air while reclaiming the lost heat during the process. They also have the added benefit of eliminating excess humidity in the winter.  HRV is designed to only work in the cold.

Energy Recovery Ventilation increases fresh air intake in the winter.  It also increases humidity in the winter and decreases humidity in the summer.

Depending on your needs HRV and ERV do similar but specific things.  Most homeowners in Ottawa will benefit more from Energy Recovery Ventilation features but Heat Recovery Ventilation is more efficient in the winter. Talk to Gasman about what's right for your home. 

HRV and ERV systems connect to your central climate system and can be controlled via a remote, app, or on your thermostat controls.  Each model is different and ventilation doesn't require frequent changes like the temperature settings. 

Low settings are enough for most homeowners. 

Your fireplace will be vented to the outside of the house either through an exterior wall or existing chimney. 

Make sure the glass is cool and turn off all gas while servicing the appliance. Remove the louvres and take out the glass pane. Wipe both sides with household glass cleaner are reassemble.  Make sure to always read the manual.  

After the first use make sure you thoroughly clean the glass as per the instructions from the manufacturer. 

Because of the high humidity, Ottawa isn't the best place to leave a gas fireplace dormant for too long. It's best to keep it running unless there is a reason to shut it off.