Furnace
Once a year — ideally in fall before heating season. An annual furnace tune-up catches problems before they become failures, keeps efficiency high all winter, and most manufacturer warranties require it to remain valid. Skipping it is the single most common reason furnaces fail during the coldest week of the year.
Yes — and most manufacturer warranties require it. Annual maintenance catches cracked heat exchangers (a carbon monoxide risk), weakening igniters, and efficiency loss before they cause an outage. It also gives you a written, signed record of your system's condition every single year.
Every 1–3 months depending on filter type, pets, and how dusty your home is. A clogged filter is the single most common cause of poor furnace performance and premature blower motor failure. If you have pets or anyone with allergies in the home, lean toward monthly.
A well-maintained furnace lasts 15–25 years. Annual servicing is the single biggest factor in longevity. If your furnace is over 15 years old and facing a major repair, ask us for a replacement quote at the same time — sometimes the numbers clearly favour a new system, and we'll tell you honestly either way.
The heat exchanger is the metal component that separates combustion gases from the air you breathe. A cracked heat exchanger allows carbon monoxide to enter your living space — a serious safety risk. It's one of the primary things we inspect during every furnace tune-up. If we find a crack, we'll show it to you and explain your options clearly before any work is done.
Cooling & Heat Pumps
Once a year, ideally in spring before cooling season starts. A seasonal AC tune-up includes coil cleaning, refrigerant pressure check, and capacitor and contactor inspection — the components that most commonly fail on the first hot day of summer, right when you need them most.
A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling system that works by moving heat rather than generating it. In summer it works like an air conditioner — pulling heat from inside your home and releasing it outside. In winter it reverses: it extracts heat energy from outdoor air (even at -25°C) and moves it inside to warm your home. Because it moves heat instead of burning fuel to create it, heat pumps are typically 2–3× more efficient than electric resistance heating. Cold-climate heat pumps are designed specifically for Canadian winters and are fully viable in Ontario year-round. One system replaces both your furnace and central AC.
Modern cold-climate heat pumps work efficiently down to -25°C, making them fully viable for Ontario winters. They provide both heating and cooling from one system year-round, which typically reduces energy bills compared to running separate furnace and AC units. Upfront costs are higher, but provincial and federal rebates significantly offset the investment. We'll give you an honest assessment of whether a heat pump makes financial sense for your specific home and usage.
A mini-split is a type of heat pump — the term "mini-split" refers to the ductless configuration: an outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor wall units without requiring ductwork. A ducted heat pump connects to your existing duct system. Mini-splits are ideal for additions, garages, or rooms that can't easily connect to central ductwork. Both provide heating and cooling; the right choice depends on your home's layout.
The most common causes are: low refrigerant (usually a slow leak), a dirty evaporator coil restricting airflow, a failing capacitor causing the compressor to underperform, or the system is simply undersized for the space. A clogged filter can also cause the coil to ice over, which stops cooling entirely. Don't add refrigerant without finding and fixing the leak — it's illegal and pointless. Call us and we'll diagnose it properly.
Water Heaters
A tank water heater stores 40–60 gallons of hot water ready around the clock — simple, reliable, lower upfront cost. A tankless unit heats water on demand — more energy-efficient since it's not constantly maintaining a tank temperature, but more expensive upfront and requires periodic descaling in Ontario's hard water. Both are solid options; we'll recommend based on your household size, usage, and budget.
Most tank water heaters last 8–12 years. Warning signs: rust-coloured water from hot taps, a rumbling or popping sound when heating, visible corrosion on the tank body, or water pooling at the base. If your unit is over 10 years old and facing a significant repair, replacement usually makes more financial sense than fixing it.
A CorroProtec powered anode rod uses an impressed electric current to actively protect the inside of your water heater tank from corrosion — significantly extending tank life compared to a standard magnesium anode that gradually depletes. This is especially valuable in Ontario's hard water. It's available as an add-on to our water heater maintenance plans and pays for itself in extended tank life.
Plans & Pricing
Every plan includes a full annual tune-up, priority scheduling, automatic annual reminders, and a signed health report after every visit. Plans are available for furnaces ($169/yr), air conditioners ($189/yr), tank water heaters ($149/yr), and tankless water heaters ($199/yr). Combine two or more systems and you get a discount — 5% off for 1 system, 10% off for 2+.
Never. No contracts, no lock-in periods, no cancellation fees. Our maintenance plans renew only if you choose to continue — and if you want to cancel, you just don't renew. We keep customers with quality service, not fine print.
A UV air purification system installed inside your HVAC ductwork. As air circulates through your home, UV light neutralizes airborne bacteria, mould spores, and viruses before they're distributed through every room. Available as a premium add-on to any maintenance plan — especially useful for households with allergies, respiratory sensitivities, or young children.
General
We serve the Greater Toronto Area including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, Burlington, Richmond Hill, and Pickering — and surrounding Ontario communities. Not sure if we cover your area? Call 437-229-8618 — straight answer, no runaround.
Yes. Our emergency line is live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — and it never goes to voicemail. Call 437-229-8618 any time. We prioritize no-heat calls, gas issues, and anything that affects your family's safety or comfort. We serve all of the GTA around the clock, 365 days a year.
Yes. We install gas lines for BBQs, outdoor kitchens, fire tables, patio heaters, pool heaters, stoves, dryers, fireplaces, and any gas appliance across the GTA. All gas work is performed by licensed gas fitters — properly sized, leak-tested, and code-compliant. Done right the first time.
Call 437-229-8618 or book online at alderwoodmechanical.ca. During business hours you reach us directly — not a call centre, not an answering service. For after-hours and emergencies, our dispatch ensures you always get a response. We call ahead 30 minutes before arrival.
Still have a question?
Call us — you'll reach someone who can actually answer it. No call centres, no voicemail, no runaround.