
Lennox ML296V
96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower, 45,000 to 110,000 BTU
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
Markham · York Region
Upstairs too hot, basement too cold? That's fixable.
Ask around Markham and you'll hear the same HVAC complaint over and over: the upstairs bakes while the basement stays chilly. We fix it with proper sizing, two-stage and variable-speed equipment, zoning and hybrid heat pump systems, all installed by licensed technicians. You get a written, guaranteed price before anything is booked.








Big two-storey houses share a handful of comfort problems. Here's what causes each one and how we sort it out.
Heat rises, the attic cooks the ceilings, and a single-stage AC shuts off as soon as the hallway thermostat is happy. A variable-speed system runs longer at a lower speed, which pulls more heat and humidity out of the upper floor.
Subdivision homes often have too few supply registers in the lower level. We check static pressure, adjust the dampers, and where it makes sense add a supply run or a ductless head so the basement stops lagging behind.
That's a single-stage furnace doing exactly what it was built to do. A two-stage, variable-speed model like the Lennox ML296V spends most of its time on low fire, so heat spreads evenly and the noise drops.
Zoning splits the house into areas with their own thermostats, using motorized dampers in the ducts. It works best with two-stage or variable-speed equipment, sized together so the system stays quiet when only one zone is calling.
A hybrid system adds a cold-climate heat pump to your furnace. The heat pump covers most of the heating season and the furnace steps in during deep cold, so you burn less gas without giving up backup heat.
Older houses in Unionville and Markham Village often have plaster walls and tight framing. Ductless and multi-zone systems add heating and cooling with one small wall opening per indoor head.
Tight townhome mechanical rooms limit what fits, and the outdoor unit often sits a metre from a neighbour's bedroom window. We measure clearances before choosing a model, pick a compact furnace with the right venting route, and use a quiet inverter outdoor unit on a bracket or slim pad so it stays within the space and the noise stays down.
Describe the problem and we'll tell you what it usually is, what it costs to fix, and whether it's worth fixing.
Zoning dampers and controls are priced after we count the duct runs, so they show up as a written quote. The equipment itself starts at the figures below.
| Service | Typical price in Markham |
|---|---|
| High-efficiency furnace, installed Lennox ML296V or Midea MGH96, 96% to 97% AFUE, two-stage variable-speed | From $3,300 |
| Central air conditioner, installed Lennox or Midea, sized from a heat-gain calculation | Written quote |
| Cold-climate heat pump, installed Midea EVOX G3 or Kepler, 2 to 5 ton, rated to -30°C | From $5,500 |
| Ductless mini split, one zone Midea or Kepler wall unit with outdoor unit and line set | Written quote |
| Furnace repair Diagnostic visit plus common parts such as ignitors, flame sensors and capacitors | Quote after diagnosis |
| AC repair Diagnostic visit plus common parts such as capacitors, contactors and refrigerant leak repair | Quote after diagnosis |
Installed pricing depends on size and installation requirements, and every job gets a written, guaranteed quote. Qualifying cold-climate heat pumps can bring back up to $7,500 through the Home Renovation Savings Program, and financing runs 0% for 3, 6 or 9 months on approved credit.
A few local facts shape every system we recommend in this city.
Much of Markham was built between the 1980s and 2010s, with open stairwells that let warm air pool upstairs. Cornell and Berczy add plenty of townhomes to the mix.
We weigh your Alectra electricity rates against your Enbridge gas use to decide how much of the heating a heat pump should carry in a hybrid setup.
Humid July nights and February deep freezes both test a system. The equipment has to pull moisture in summer and hold steady when the cold settles in.
Enbridge gas-heated homes usually qualify for a smaller heat pump rebate, commonly up to $2,000. Pre-approval comes first, and we file the paperwork.
A two-storey house is really two climates stacked on top of each other. In summer the upper floor soaks up heat from the roof and the sun on the windows. In winter the basement sits against cold ground. One thermostat in the front hall can't read both.
So before we quote, we look at the whole house. We measure static pressure on the ducts, count supply and return registers on each floor, and run a Manual J heat-loss and heat-gain calculation. Then we pick equipment that fits the house, not whatever happens to be on the truck.

Clear steps, a written price and zero pressure to sign.
Call or use the form. The more you tell us about the hot and cold rooms, the more useful our first visit is.
Room temperatures, duct sizes, your electrical panel and the gas line all get checked before we suggest anything.
You see the choices side by side, such as a two-stage furnace with a new AC or a hybrid heat pump setup, with prices and rebate estimates.
After the install we balance airflow between floors, program the thermostat, register your warranty and file any rebate paperwork.
You don't have to give up gas to cut your gas bill. A hybrid system adds a cold-climate heat pump, such as the Midea EVOX G3, to a high-efficiency furnace. The heat pump heats and cools for most of the year. Once the temperature drops far enough, the furnace takes over on its own.
It suits Markham families who want lower bills and a dependable backup for the coldest weeks in Ontario. Send a few details and we'll come back with a guaranteed price.

Recent Ontario installs: heat pumps, furnaces and air handlers set up so they're easy to service for years.



The models below spend most of their running time on low, which is exactly what a tall house with an open stairwell needs to stay even from the basement to the bedrooms.

96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower, 45,000 to 110,000 BTU
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty

97% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
96.5% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed, 60,000 to 120,000 BTU
Registered warranty, up to 12 years parts and labour on select systems
Up to 96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed ECM blower, 40,000 to 120,000 BTU/h input
10-year parts and unit replacement limited warranties when registered online

2 to 5 ton, inverter, R-454B, ENERGY STAR cold climate, rated to -30°C
Up to 12 years parts and labour on select systems

1.5 to 5 ton, rated to -30°C, quiet operation
Registered warranty

18,000 to 60,000 BTU outdoor units, wall-mounted heads
Registered warranty
Your quote is your final price. No surprise extras on the agreed scope of work.
Cold-climate heat pumps may qualify through the Home Renovation Savings Program. We confirm eligibility and file the paperwork.
Interest-free for 3, 6 or 9 months, or open loans from 2.99% on approved credit.
Extended warranty on select systems when registered.
A guaranteed quote takes one visit. Rebate and financing options come with it.
Detailed local pages for the work we do most often in Markham.
Rated 4.5 on Google and voted Best Company 2019, 2020 and 2021 on HomeStars.
We had a heat pump/AC unit installed by EHI, on time, on budget, great workmanship. Julian and team were knowledgeable and courteous. Dustin communicated well and is managing our government rebate for the new efficient system. Thank you Team!
Replaces our AC with a new heat pump in Ottawa and the whole experience was outstanding. From the first call, Dustin was incredibly responsive and communicated clearly every step of the way. He cut through all the usual sales fluff and got straight to what mattered — options, costs, timelines, and what made the most sense for our home. They addressed every concern I had, explained the details discussed my technical questions, and handled the installation quickly and professionally. The quality of the work is excellent, everything was done cleanly, and the system has been running perfectly since. Pricing was fair and transparent, and there were no surprises. It’s rare to find a company that combines speed, honesty, and solid workmanship like this. Highly recommended.
Recently got a shiny new heat pump installed. Went very well, nice unit and it works soooo quietly. These fine folks were very easy to deal with, professional and thourough. Would highly recommend.
Efficient Home Improvements truly went above and beyond. Our furnace failed on Christmas Eve in Ottawa, and their team stayed up late (3:00am) that night to replace it. Their responsiveness, professionalism, and dedication during the holidays were exceptional. The work was completed efficiently, and everything was explained clearly. It’s rare to find a company willing to sacrifice their own holiday time to ensure a customer’s home is warm and safe. I highly recommend Efficient Home improvements to anyone in need of reliable and compassionate service.
I recently had a new furnace and tankless water heater installed by this company. Excellent service by both office and technicians , I highly recommend!
The Installers were great.. Got in and got the job done..the furnace works amazing compared to the old one !!! Need a furnace..A/C water tankless system..there your guys!!!!
Had a tankless water heater installed and couldn’t be happier. The installation was quick, professional, and the system works great — endless hot water and more efficient than my old tank. Highly recommend!
Dustin and his team were really responsive and helpful in getting us a new heat pump to replace our broken AC unit. The team went above and beyond helping us through the process and answering other questions about the house we recently moved in to. I would highly recommend Efficient Home Improvements for any of your HVAC needs.
Licensed HVAC Contractor · Serving Ontario for 20+ Years
EHI Heating And Cooling has kept Ontario homes and businesses comfortable for more than 20 years. Our licensed crews come to your home or business anywhere in Markham, with a written, guaranteed quote before any work starts.
Emergency service available evenings, weekends and holidays.
Every city gets the same licensed crews, guaranteed pricing and rebate paperwork. Pick yours for local details.
Heat rises, the roof warms the top floor, and most homes have one thermostat on the main level. Better return airflow, a variable-speed blower, zoning or a ductless head upstairs usually solves it.
Zoning is worth it when floors stay several degrees apart even after the ducts are balanced. It works best with two-stage or variable-speed equipment.
A hybrid heat pump system is a cold-climate heat pump paired with a gas furnace, where the heat pump handles most heating and all cooling and the furnace takes over in deep cold. One thermostat controls the switch.
Cold-climate heat pumps start from $5,500 installed, and high-efficiency furnaces start from $3,300. Installed pricing depends on size and installation requirements, and every quote is guaranteed in writing.
Most furnace and heat pump installs need a permit, and all gas work must be done by TSSA-certified technicians. We look after the permits that apply to your job.
Yes. In older Unionville and Markham Village homes we often use ductless or multi-zone systems, which need small wall openings instead of new duct runs.
Two is the most common: one for the main floor and basement, one for the upstairs bedrooms. Larger homes sometimes add a third for a bonus room or a finished basement. The number comes from how the ducts are laid out and which areas drift apart, which we check before quoting.
Page reviewed and updated October 27, 2026. Prices, rebates and program terms are checked at each update.
Home or business, tell us what's going on with your heating, cooling or hot water. We'll size it right, price it once, and show you every rebate you qualify for.