We take our furnace options somewhat for granted here in Canada. It wasn’t too long ago that most homes in Canada were burning wood or coal in order to get some heat. We’ll walk you through the history of coal furnaces, how we got to where we are today, and where electric furnaces are available in Canada.
History of Coal Furnaces
The Aboriginal People of Canada largely burned wood for their heat. When they arrived, settlers did too. Canada is very rich in natural resources and wood was widely available. The typical family would harvest wood for themselves.
However, we soon discovered that coal was a more reasonable way to heat a home. You’d have a large cast-iron furnace that looked kind of like a pot. The coal would burn inside, dispersing heat. Coal could be cheap, and it could also burn hotter and for longer. It was a less energy-intensive way to heat homes from a physical labour standpoint, but the emissions were not great for the environment (although no one knew it back then).
In the 1950s central heating systems are introduced, first relying on coal and then on radiators that used hot water to transmit the heat. These early ducts were insulated with asbestos, which ended up being a serious health threat. But the insulation helped the heat actually get to the parts of the house that were far from the furnace.
Later, the government began introducing regulations to standardize and even raise furnace efficiency. While gas furnaces are typically the most efficient, there are other options now, like electric furnaces.
Are you interested in learning about our home heating options? Contact our team at Lambton ClimateCare today.
Electric Furnaces in Canada
Electric furnaces began to be marketed in Canada before World War II, but it wasn’t until after the war that they started to gain a lot of traction in Canadian homes. In the middle of the century, many Canadian homes had electric furnaces, complete with forced-air systems and thermostats. However, this was mainly in the city centers. Rural areas still relied on coal, wood and gas as a heating source.
Furnace Oil Price History
Some Canadians also chose to heat their homes with furnace oil. Prices for oil have risen over the years, although not exactly steadily. The most recent peak was in 2008. Current furnace oil prices are almost half the former peak, but still higher than the cost has been historically. Increasingly, Canadians are moving away from using furnace oil as their heating method towards other more affordable options.
Modern Day
In the modern-day, most Canadians choose between gas and electric furnaces to heat their homes. Some use fireplaces, usually in gas or wood. Some use heat pumps, including geothermal and air pumps. There are even some Canadians with passive housing that needs almost no supplemental heat at all.
Overall, we have many more options for heating our homes than we used to.
Are you looking to purchase a furnace or other heating equipment like a heat pump? We have just what you need. Contact our team at Lambton ClimateCare today.
