Burnaby's mix of older character homes, condos, and newer townhomes each call for a different boiler solution — here's how to match the right type of high-efficiency boiler to your home.
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Quick answer: For most Burnaby homes, a high-efficiency condensing gas boiler paired with the existing hydronic (baseboard or radiant) distribution is the best option, since gas remains widely available and condensing units reach roughly 90%+ efficiency. Older character homes with electric baseboards or homes prioritizing electrification may do better with an air-to-water heat pump or hybrid heat pump-boiler system. The right choice depends on your home's age, heating distribution type, insulation, and household hot water demand — a licensed technician's load calculation and free written quote will confirm which fits your Burnaby property.
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Burnaby has a wide mix of building types: post-war character homes in Capitol Hill and Burnaby Heights, 1970s-90s split-levels near Metrotown and Deer Lake, newer infill homes and laneway houses, and a large stock of condos and townhomes along the SkyTrain corridors. Many of the older single-family homes were originally built with hydronic (hot water) baseboard or radiator heat, which makes them natural candidates for a boiler rather than a forced-air furnace. Homes with existing hydronic piping can usually reuse that distribution system when the boiler itself is replaced, which keeps costs more predictable than switching heating types entirely.
Metro Vancouver's climate is mild and wet most of the year with occasional cold snaps, so boilers here don't need to be oversized for extreme cold the way they might in colder Canadian regions. That said, a proper heat-loss calculation for your specific Burnaby home (accounting for insulation, window age, and square footage) is still the only reliable way to size a boiler correctly — guessing based on square footage alone often leads to an oversized, inefficient system.
| Boiler Type | Best For | Efficiency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condensing gas boiler | Homes with existing gas line and hydronic distribution | ~90%+ AFUE | Most common upgrade for Burnaby character homes; vents through PVC, no chimney needed |
| Combi (combination) boiler | Smaller homes/condos wanting space heat + on-demand hot water in one unit | ~90%+ | Saves mechanical room space; good fit for townhomes with limited utility area |
| Conventional (non-condensing) boiler | Rare new-install case; sometimes a like-for-like swap where venting can't be modified | 80-83% AFUE | Generally not recommended for new installs given efficiency and rebate rules |
| Air-to-water heat pump / hybrid heat pump-boiler | Homes prioritizing electrification, or as a supplement to an existing boiler | Varies with outdoor temperature | Can pair with a gas boiler for cold-snap backup; check current CleanBC/BC Hydro program eligibility |
For the large majority of Burnaby homes already on hydronic heat, a high-efficiency condensing gas boiler remains the most straightforward and cost-effective replacement, particularly where the existing gas line and venting can be reused. Homes considering electrification longer-term sometimes choose a hybrid setup that keeps the boiler for backup while a heat pump handles most of the load.
If your Burnaby home already has baseboard radiators, in-floor radiant tubing, or a boiler-fed air handler, staying with a boiler is almost always simpler and less invasive than switching to forced-air ductwork, which can mean cutting into walls and ceilings. If your home already has ductwork and a furnace, a heat pump paired with the existing ducts is often the more natural upgrade path instead. Boilers also tend to deliver a more even, less drafty heat that many owners of older Burnaby homes prefer, and they pair well with radiant in-floor systems in additions or basement renovations.
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📞 (604) 359-1081 Request a free quoteHomeowners can safely do some basic homework before calling for quotes: note the age and brand of your current boiler (usually on a nameplate on the unit), check whether your home has baseboard, radiator, or in-floor distribution, look at how much space is available in the mechanical room or closet, and jot down any rooms that currently run cold or overheat. This information helps a technician size and quote the replacement faster.
Everything past that point is licensed-trade work under BC law. Sizing the new boiler with a proper heat-loss calculation, connecting or modifying the gas line, running new venting, wiring controls, and commissioning the system all require a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter (and a licensed electrician for any panel or circuit work). CANRO holds Technical Safety BC gas licence LGA0043870 and boiler licence LBP0046450, with Red Seal certified technicians and WorkSafeBC coverage, so this work is done to code and inspected properly.
A proper CANRO visit for a Burnaby boiler replacement typically includes an inspection of the existing distribution system (baseboards, radiators, or in-floor loops) for leaks, sludge, or corrosion; a check of the gas line size and venting path against current code; a room-by-room heat-loss review to size the new unit correctly rather than just matching the old one's size; and a written, itemized quote before any work begins. Older Burnaby homes sometimes need the hydronic piping flushed or partially updated alongside the boiler swap, especially where hard water scale has built up over the years — this gets flagged during the assessment rather than discovered mid-installation.
Gas boiler installation and replacement in Burnaby requires a gas permit pulled by a licensed contractor, and the work is subject to inspection under BC's gas code. Venting for a condensing boiler is typically PVC run to an exterior wall, which is different from the metal flue and chimney venting older conventional boilers used — this is one reason a straight nameplate swap isn't always possible and a technician needs to assess the venting path during the quote. If your project also involves upsizing the gas meter or adding a new gas line run, FortisBC may need to be involved for the meter/service side. None of this paperwork falls on the homeowner; a licensed contractor handles permitting as part of the installation.
In Metro Vancouver, installed boiler pricing generally runs $6,500-$14,000+ for a new boiler installation, or $7,500-$15,000+ for a high-efficiency replacement, before any rebates. Where your project lands in that range depends on boiler size, whether venting needs to be rerouted, gas line modifications, permit costs, and any distribution-side repairs uncovered during the assessment. A free written quote after an in-home or virtual assessment is the only reliable way to get an exact number for your Burnaby property.
On rebates: the Canada Greener Homes Grant closed to new applicants in early 2024, so don't expect a grant cheque. What is currently available includes the interest-free Canada Greener Homes Loan (up to $40,000) for eligible upgrades, the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program for homes switching off oil heat, and ongoing CleanBC, BC Hydro, and FortisBC rebate programs depending on the equipment chosen. Program details and dollar amounts change, so confirm current eligibility and figures at quote time rather than relying on older numbers you may have seen online.
⚠️ Safety note: Boilers are gas- or electrically-fed pressurized heating appliances, so under BC law only a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter or electrician may install, replace, convert, or repair one — this is not a DIY or handyman job. If you ever smell gas (a rotten-egg odour) near a boiler or gas line, leave the home immediately, do not operate switches or open flames, and call the FortisBC emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 from outside. If a boiler's flue is blocked, cracked, or backdrafting, carbon monoxide can build up silently — install a CO alarm near sleeping areas, and if it sounds, get everyone into fresh air right away and call 911 before re-entering.
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📞 (604) 359-1081 Request a free quoteReviewed by the CANRO Heating & Cooling service team — July 04, 2026. CANRO holds Technical Safety BC gas licence LGA0043870 and boiler licence LBP0046450, employs Red Seal certified technicians, and carries WorkSafeBC and liability insurance. 4.9★ from 85+ Google reviews · serving Metro Vancouver since 1999 · (604) 359-1081 · info@canroheat.ca.
“Canro does an amazing job! Super professional and skilled with everything—boilers, furnaces, and AC. Always a pleasure working with them!”
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