Century homes near downtown
Thick walls, small basements and ducts that were added long after the house was built. We keep the ducts that work and add a ductless head in the rooms they never reached.
Orillia · Simcoe County
Orillia HVAC Contractor for Older Homes and Lakeside Places
Retiring tired oil and baseboard heat, one house at a time
Plenty of Orillia HVAC jobs begin in a basement that hasn't changed in decades: an oil furnace, a chimney doing double duty, or baseboards in every room. We swap that old heat for cold-climate heat pumps, put in high-efficiency furnaces with the new venting they need, and handle the rebate paperwork for homes that qualify. You see one firm price before anything comes out of the house.
- Oil, propane and baseboard homes moved to cold-climate heat pumps
- Furnace swaps with sidewall venting and chimney checks done right
- Gas work by TSSA-certified techs, refrigerant work by licensed techs
- Guaranteed price on the agreed scope, with 0% financing OAC
Voted Best Company 2019 to 2021 · Authorized Midea, Lennox, Kepler & Rinnai dealer, plus Goodman · 20+ years
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What shapes heating and cooling in Orillia homes
Orillia sits where the Snowbelt meets cottage country, and the housing is a real mix. These four things steer most of our recommendations.
- HousingCentury homes to lakeside places
Old brick and frame houses near downtown, post-war bungalows, and homes along Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe each lose heat differently.
- Old fuelsOil, electric and propane
Enbridge Gas covers much of town, but plenty of older and rural homes still burn oil or run baseboards. That puts them in the bigger rebate bracket.
- WinterSnowbelt cold and lake wind
Lake-effect snow and wind off the water push a heating system harder than the GTA does. We size for that, not for a Toronto winter.
- VentingChimneys built for old furnaces
Many older furnaces share a masonry chimney with the water heater. Changing one appliance changes how the other vents, so we check both.
HVAC services in Orillia for four kinds of homes
The right fix for a downtown brick house is rarely the right fix for a place on the lake. Here's how we approach each one.
Post-war bungalows
Often on their second or third furnace. Swapping in a 96% AFUE two-stage furnace with sidewall venting cuts gas use and noise in one go.
Homes on Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe
Former summer places with baseboards and window units. A ductless heat pump gives them proper winter heat and real summer cooling in one system.
Rural homes in Severn and Oro-Medonte
Oil tanks, propane and wood stoves. Let a cold-climate heat pump carry the winter while the old system waits in reserve.
Not sure which option fits your home?
Tell us about your house and we'll recommend the right system, with a guaranteed price and your rebate estimate.
Old heat, old venting: what an HVAC technician in Orillia fixes
Most Orillia calls trace back to equipment or venting that has outlived the house's needs. These are the repeat offenders, with our fix for each.
The oil furnace smells, and the tank is older than your kids
Oil furnaces wear out and fuel prices move with the market. Our usual answer is a cold-climate heat pump on an electric air handler. If you're not ready to pull the tank, the oil furnace can sit in reserve for a winter first.
A new furnace was quoted without a word about the chimney
A high-efficiency furnace vents through plastic pipe out the side of the house. That can leave the water heater alone in a chimney that's now too big for it, which can cause poor draft. We check it and include a liner or other fix in the quote when it's needed.
Baseboard heat makes January the most expensive month of the year
Every baseboard is a straight resistance heater, so you pay full price for every bit of warmth. Heat pumps squeeze several times more warmth out of the same electricity in mild weather. And because the house is electrically heated, the rebate can reach $7,500.
Water drips from a pipe near the new furnace
Condensing furnaces produce water as they run, and it needs a proper drain, trap and sometimes a small pump. We set that up on install day and check it at every tune-up.
The back bedrooms never warm up in a cold snap
Older duct runs are often too small or leaky at the far end of the house. We measure airflow, seal joints and balance the dampers before deciding whether a bigger system is really needed.
The lake place needs a window unit in every room by July
A multi-zone ductless system runs several quiet indoor heads from one outdoor unit. It cools the whole place in summer and heats it through the winter.
The electric furnace in your North Ward house eats hydro, but the ducts are fine
Good ducts are the expensive part, and you already have them. A ducted cold-climate heat pump slides into the same duct system, with an electric air handler as the backup for the coldest nights. Because the house heats with electricity today, it sits in the higher rebate tier, and the hydro bill drops the first winter.
Sound familiar?
Describe the problem and we'll tell you what it usually is, what it costs to fix, and whether it's worth fixing.
Orillia costs for oil swaps, furnaces and venting
A new furnace in an older Orillia home often brings venting and chimney work with it, so those items appear on the quote beside the equipment, not after the fact.
| Service | Typical price in Orillia |
|---|---|
| High-efficiency furnace, installed Lennox ML296V or Midea MGH96, 96% to 97% AFUE, two-stage variable-speed | From $3,300 |
| 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 |
| Rinnai tankless water heater, installed RX160iN or RX199iN condensing, with venting and gas line | From $3,300 |
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.
Heat pumps, furnaces and venting from recent installs
Photos from recent Ontario jobs in other towns. Notice the venting runs, condensate drains and line sets: the same care goes into an Orillia basement.
Heat pump installation in Orillia, from the first call to handover
We keep it to four steps, and you'll know the price before you commit.
- 1
Tell us what's in the basement
Oil, gas, propane or baseboards, plus the age of the system and the rooms that bother you. Photos help.
- 2
Heat loss, venting and electrical check
We calculate the heat your home needs, look at the chimney and venting, and check whether your panel can take a 240V circuit.
- 3
One written price and your rebate tier
The quote is guaranteed for the agreed work, and it spells out which rebate you can expect. Pre-approval is filed before the install.
- 4
Install and commissioning
Our crew installs, tests the venting and refrigerant charge, cleans up and walks you through the thermostat.
Heat pumps, furnaces and water heaters we install in Orillia
If the chimney is being retired, a condensing Rinnai tankless that vents out the wall can go in alongside the new furnace, so nothing is left alone in the old flue.
Cold-climate ducted heat pump
Midea EVOX G3
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
Ducted heat pump
Kepler cold-climate
1.5 to 5 ton, rated to -30°C, quiet operation
Registered warranty
Single and multi-zone
Midea ductless
18,000 to 60,000 BTU outdoor units, wall-mounted heads
Registered warranty
Gas furnace
Lennox ML296V
96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower, 45,000 to 110,000 BTU
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
Gas furnace
Lennox EL297V
97% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
Gas furnace
Midea MGH96
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
Gas furnace
Goodman GMVC96
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
Condensing tankless
Rinnai RX160iN
0.97 UEF, up to about 9 GPM
Rinnai warranty, extended coverage may be available
Condensing tankless
Rinnai RX199iN
0.98 UEF, up to about 11.1 GPM
Rinnai warranty, extended coverage may be available
Ask an HVAC company in Orillia for a firm price
Tell us what heats your home today and what you'd like it to do better. We'll come back with an honest plan, whether that's a heat pump, a new furnace with proper venting, or a fix to what you already have.
We drive up from our Stouffville office for Orillia work, with visits to Atherley, Washago and the North Ward set on a day you pick.
- Heat-loss sizing instead of a rule of thumb
- Chimney and venting changes priced up front
- Rebate pre-approval and paperwork handled by us
- Pay over time: 0% for 3, 6 or 9 months, or an open loan from 2.99% OAC
- Select systems come with up to 12 years on parts and labour
What Orillia homeowners can expect: our customers in their own words
Rated 4.5 on Google and voted Best Company 2019, 2020 and 2021 on HomeStars.
4.5Google rating from verified customers
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
Proudly Serving Orillia, Ontario
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 Orillia, with a written, guaranteed quote before any work starts.
- ServingOrillia, Ontario
- Phone1-647-694-5845
- Emailefficienthomecomfort@gmail.com
Business Hours
- Monday8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Tuesday8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Wednesday8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Thursday8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Emergency service available evenings, weekends and holidays.
We also serve communities near Orillia
Other cities in Simcoe County and Muskoka we serve
Every city gets the same licensed crews, guaranteed pricing and rebate paperwork. Pick yours for local details.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace an oil furnace in Orillia with a heat pump?
Yes. The usual route is a heat pump on an electric air handler, though some Orillia owners keep the oil furnace around as a reserve for the odd bitter night. The rebate for an oil-heated house can reach $7,500, but only if pre-approval is done first.
Why does a new furnace sometimes need a chimney liner?
When a high-efficiency furnace moves its venting to the side wall, the water heater may be left alone in a chimney sized for two appliances. That can cause poor draft, so a liner or a different water heater setup is sometimes needed. If the water heater is also near the end of its life, replacing it with a power-vented or tankless model at the same time can retire the chimney entirely, and we price both routes.
Do lakeside homes on Lake Couchiching need a special heat pump?
They need a properly sized cold-climate model and good placement, not a special unit. We account for wind exposure off the lake and keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and ice.
How much should I budget for furnace installation in Orillia?
In Orillia, a new high-efficiency gas furnace begins at $3,300 installed. Your final price depends on size, venting and any chimney work, and it's locked in with a guaranteed quote before we start.
Does an Orillia HVAC contractor need to pull a permit for a furnace?
Gas appliance work has to follow Ontario's gas code and be done by a TSSA-certified technician. We look after the required permits and inspections as part of the job.
Do you serve rural homes outside Orillia?
Yes. We work in Severn, Oro-Medonte, Washago and the surrounding area, and we plan the install date with you.
Page reviewed and updated October 27, 2026. Prices, rebates and program terms are checked at each update.