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May I replace my own furnace???

23K views 40 replies 10 participants last post by  beenthere 
#1 ·
I'm in Calgary, AB and I'm wondering if it's a big deal(legaly or otherwise) to replace my own furnace?

I would need to sleeve my old brick chimney and then it's just the gas, electrical and duct work. Gas, electrical and ducting should be pretty straight forward with the ducting being a bit of a pain labor wise. The chimney sleeve I'm not too sure about though....

Any advice or thoughts are appreciated.:)
 
#2 ·
Hate to break the bad news to you. Only licensed gas fitters can take out a permit and install furnaces in Canada, period. Apprentices can do the work if the gas fitter trusts them and hangs his name on the permit. I won't. All furnaces have to be 92% efficient and do not use chimneys any more. No cash and carry furnaces in Canada. No warranty for anyone other than a dealer. No permit, no house insurance if something goes wrong either. We have ambulance chasing lawyers here too.

Sorry.
 
#3 ·
Thanks Yuri, I was hoping you'd chime in. :thumbsup:

I thought the gas might be a legal issue but can I not install everything else and then have a gas fitter get the permit and do the final connection?

I have a 80% eff furnace on hold(built before Jan 1/10) so I'm okay there. I didn't realize that the 92% eff ones don't use a chimney. Does this make the installation of the 92% efficient and higher ones easier/cheaper than the 80% ones that would need to have the old brick chimney sleeved? I'm just wondering if I'd be wasting money on labor when I should have put it towards a better furnace.

I plan on selling the place in a couple years so what I'm looking for is my best bang for my buck.
 
#4 · (Edited)
You can install it but most gas fitters will want quite a bit of $$ to take out a permit etc, unless you know someone. The liner needs to meet the code also, and we have to use B Vent in masonry chimneys or it will freezeup. $500-600 for a 1 story, up to $800 for a 2 story from a pro chimney company. Not sure what the best bang for your buck is. If you don't plan to stay there I would get a cheap Ducane/Air Flo or cheap Goodman installed and skip the chimney liner etc. What are you using to heat the house with now? Oil?
 
#5 ·
Sorry Yuri, but in BC and Alberta (we recently harmonized our gas regulations) the only people that can pull a permit are gas contractors and homeowners. Being a gasfitter, I can't even pull a permit. I can do the work, but it has to be under a permit pulled by a gas contractor.

Homeowners can pull a homeowners permit, but there are certain conditions such as it has to be the home they live in, no renters, they do the work and do not pay anyone else to do it. Avro1, google Alberta's Gas Act and Regulations, or call whomever is in charge of issuing permits in your city. I'm not saying that you can do it for sure, but they may let you.
 
#6 · (Edited)
You do need to contact your local authorities but the gas code and permit and proper installation etc etc all need to be followed. And then there is the insurance companies who want it all done right. I work for a company and let them handle all the liabilities. The problem is if there is ever a fire or problem now or in the future and someone comes back at you with a lawsuit. You are assumed to be guilty until proven innocent and have to pay a lawyer a lot of $$ by the hour to accomplish that. Ignorance of the law and "details" is no excuse. I had a crazy customer with lots of $$ and few brains try sue us for a "lack of heat/inconvenience" scheme he dreamed up. It is NO fun when you have to deal with a lawsuit. Our lawyer got rid of him when we found out he ran out of fuel himself.:wink: Caused us a bunch of aggravation in the process.
 
#7 · (Edited)
If the furnace is over-sized, it will not be able to maintain the advertised efficiency because of operating limits.

A 90+ efficiency furnace usually has 2 PVC pipes; one for intake and one for venting that are usually run horizontally and a conventional chimney is not needed. An 80% will use the same vertical conventional chimney/liner as older furnaces did. I bought a 80% unit because of venting problems and finished walls in my townhouse, but I did pop for the extra luxury, operating economy and comfort of a DC variable speed fan.

Dick
 
#9 ·
Thanks guys, I'll check with the city to see what they say about a permit. From what I see on their web site, electrical and gas permits are treated about the same in that a home owner can get them for his own home.

For those that asked, my current furnace is about a 50 year old gas one. My water heater is gas also and uses the same chimney. From what I understand if I were to install a 90% or higher furnace I wouldn't be able to use my chimney anymore. Also if I still used the chimney for the water heater vent I'd still have to install a liner so either way I'm looking at a chimney liner....right?
 
#13 · (Edited)
Well I checked with the city and even though it's listed as "Plumbing and Gas" permits(which a home owner can get), the home owner can only take out a plumbing permit. Looks like they have me over a barrel on this one over a simple gas connection.

It's along story as to why I wanted to do the install myself but maybe I can work with the furnace installer and do the whole install less the gas line. Then when it's time he can take out the permit and connect the existing gas line to the new furnace.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Avro. There are a couple of EcoEnergy rebates from the federal government. You will get $790 - $250 for the inspection to upgrade your furnace. I would go with an electric water heater and plug the chimney. Saves a LOT of energy going up the 4" chimney liner you will now need for the gas heater. Like I said find someone who sells Ducane or AireFlo (not a bad entry level unit). Business is slowing down a lot in March so someone will want your business. Socialism isn't bad. We have great wedding socials (beer bashes) Manitoba/Sask tradition and get plenty socialable with the ole Prairie lube (Labatts Blue).:drink::w00t::drink::laughing:
 
#16 ·
yuri, I'll check into those furnaces but the problem will be finding a 80% efficient one now. The furnace guy that I had given a deposit to is in the middle of screwing me over(long story) so that's why I'm looking into installing one myself. I want to do this as cheap as possible. I'll see what I can find out...

As for socials, ya one of the great things that I miss about Manitoba(grew up near Dauphin). One of the things that I don't miss though is the mosquitos!:no:
 
#36 · (Edited)
How much of a deposit did you give "the guy"? What brand and model # is it. He may jack you up several hundred $$ if you try buy it from him. Lost revenue on his part as he could have sold it to someone else and made at least $1000 on the install. I know the relative price of different mids and you may just want to walk away from him rather than sink good $$ after bad $$. Not worth the stress IMO.
 
#38 ·
Avro,
Try not to count yours brothers guy out so soon. I know you feel lied to and betrayed right now, but I have worked for, with, & employed craft/tradesmen all my life. All have been honest,honorable men, a few a little cocky & *ricks but honorable nonetheless. I'm sure he even feels bad about jacking the price after seeing it in person. There lies the culprit, a valuable piece of information was not brought to light over the phone and he sees he can't make wages for the cheaper price, period.
However time is on your side, time I feel, needs to be spent making another deal with him. Your posts read you have 5 months, he has a furnace he may or may not be able to re-sell. You won't get it done for the initial price but you guys could meet in the middle. Peace of mind after the install is worth more than you think. Just my .02
 
#39 ·
Nope. The guy broke a cardinal rule of reputable hvac contractors. He quoted the job sight unseen. You don't go back on your quoted price just as a homeowner should not back on the price once the job is done.
His guy screwed up. And I don't think I would use him even if he went back to the agreed upon price.
 
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