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A boiler is a 15+ year investment. The installer matters more than the brand. Here are 8 questions to ask before signing.
Gas-fitting in BC requires a TSBC (Technical Safety BC) gas-fitter licence. Without one, the work is illegal and uninsurable. Ask for the licence number and verify online at technicalsafetybc.ca.
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor isnt WorkSafeBC-covered, you can be liable. Verify both before work starts. CANRO carries both — we can provide certificates.
Gas-appliance installs require a municipal gas permit. Some contractors skip this to save time — but unpermitted work voids insurance and can fail at home inspection during a sale. Always insist on permit.
FortisBC offers $1,000-$1,500 for high-efficiency boilers. The paperwork has specific documentation requirements. CANRO files it as part of every install. Some lower-quote contractors skip this — youre leaving money on the table.
Combustion analysis at low and high fire is essential — it verifies the boiler is burning correctly. Without it, the unit may run at lower-than-rated efficiency. Ask for the combustion report. CANRO provides one for every install.
Most modern condensing boilers come with an outdoor temperature sensor for outdoor reset control. Many installers don’t hook it up or configure it. Outdoor reset is what makes the boiler condense efficiently in mild weather. Ask specifically.
Manufacturer warranties cover parts; labour warranties are on the installer. CANRO provides a 1-year labour warranty standard. Some discount contractors offer 90 days — much weaker protection.
Established BC installers have visible references. CANRO has 85+ Google reviews specifically about Metro Vancouver installs.
Free written quote that lists every scope item — no hidden costs, no missing rebate paperwork.
📞 (604) 359-1081 Request a quoteCANRO Heating & Cooling — TSBC Class-A gas-fitting licence · Red Seal HVAC certified · WorkSafeBC and liability insured · 4.9★ from 85+ Google reviews · Serving Metro Vancouver since 1999.
Here is how boilers work in the context of Metro Vancouver's climate, codes and homes. Modern condensing gas boilers in Metro Vancouver operate at 92-98% AFUE, with modulating burners that match output to demand. Hydronic systems — radiators, in-floor radiant, and air handlers — deliver exceptionally even heat with very low operating noise.
Metro Vancouver's housing stock ranges from early-1900s character homes with hydronic radiator systems to modern condos with combi boilers — equipment selection and serviceability vary dramatically by housing era. CANRO has worked with boiler systems across Metro Vancouver since 1999, including installations and service calls in Kerrisdale, Thompson, Guildford and Westwood Plateau.
Sizing. Boiler sizing depends on heat-loss calculations (Manual J for the home + emitter capacity check). Oversized boilers short-cycle, which is the single biggest cause of premature heat-exchanger failure in Vancouver hydronic installs.
Lifespan. A well-maintained condensing boiler typically lasts 15-20 years in Vancouver. Cast-iron heritage boilers can run 30+ years, but their efficiency (60-75% AFUE) often makes replacement worthwhile after 20 years on energy savings alone.
Warning signs. A failing boiler typically shows kettling (banging or whistling at start-up), expansion-tank pressure loss requiring frequent top-ups, sooty combustion residue, persistent error codes, or radiators that no longer balance.
A typical residential high-efficiency gas boiler installation in Metro Vancouver costs $7,500-$15,000 depending on size, brand, and whether the system is heating-only or a combi unit also handling domestic hot water. Premium European brands (Viessmann, Baxi) sit at the upper end; North American brands (Navien, IBC, Rinnai) at the lower-middle.
A heating-only boiler heats only the hydronic loop (radiators, in-floor radiant, air-handler coil); a separate hot-water tank handles domestic hot water. A combi (combination) boiler heats both — eliminating the tank but requiring a higher-BTU boiler to handle peak DHW demand. Combi installs work best for 1-3 bathroom homes; heating-only + tank is usually better for 4+ bathroom homes.
Pressure loss indicates either: an expansion tank that has lost its air charge, a leak somewhere in the loop (often a tiny pinhole behind a radiator or under flooring), a weeping pressure-relief valve, or a faulty automatic fill valve. CANRO uses pressure-decay testing and infrared imaging to locate hidden leaks.
Kettling is a banging or whistling sound caused by limescale build-up on the heat exchanger, which creates localised overheating spots. It will not always cause immediate failure but it shortens boiler life significantly and should be addressed within a few weeks by descaling and water-chemistry correction.
Annual servicing is recommended for all residential boilers in Metro Vancouver. The service includes combustion analysis, heat-exchanger inspection, expansion-tank pressure check, condensate-trap cleaning, circulator pump check, and a full safety inspection. Annual maintenance is also required to keep most manufacturer warranties valid.
A useful rule: if the boiler is more than 15 years old and the repair cost is more than 50% of replacement, replacement is the better long-term investment because newer units run at 95%+ AFUE vs 75-82% for older models — paying back the difference in energy savings over 6-10 years. CANRO gives you both quotes and lets you decide.
To book boiler service or get a free written quote for installation, call CANRO at (604) 359-1081 or email info@canroheat.ca. We service all of Metro Vancouver including Kerrisdale, Thompson, Guildford and Westwood Plateau.
This guide was written by the CANRO Heating & Cooling team based on 25+ years of boiler installation, repair and annual service work across Metro Vancouver. Last reviewed May 2026.
“Canro does an amazing job! Super professional and skilled with everything—boilers, furnaces, and AC. Always a pleasure working with them!”
“Five stars for Canro. We needed a replacement of a 30-year-old boiler. A new high-efficiency unit was installed—clean, professional work.”
“I can’t speak highly enough about George, who was recommended for a boiler service call for my parents’ home. George is excellent.”
25+ years keeping Metro Vancouver homes comfortable. Honest advice, upfront pricing, work that lasts.