Rental programs for water heaters and furnaces are common across Ontario and are offered by utility companies, large national rental corporations, and some HVAC providers. Here’s the basic model:

• You pay a monthly fee (typically $20 to $75+ per month depending on the unit type and rental company) for the right to use the appliance in your home.
• The rental company owns the unit at all times. You are a tenant of the appliance, not the owner.
• Repairs and maintenance are typically handled by the rental company, though response times and service quality vary significantly.
• Contracts are often long-term — 10 to 15 years in many cases — with early termination fees and automatic renewal clauses buried in the fine print.
• The rental fee can be tied to your home through a Notice of Security Interest (NOSI) registered on your property title, which can create complications when you sell your home.

This is where the rental math starts to fall apart for most homeowners. Let’s run the numbers with a realistic example:

Rental Scenario: 50-Gallon Power Vent Water Heater

• Monthly rental fee: $35 to $50 per month (mid-range estimate)
• Annual cost: $420 to $600
• 10-year cost: $4,200 to $6,000
• 15-year cost: $6,300 to $9,000

After 15 years of payments, the rental company still owns the unit. You have paid anywhere from $6,300 to $9,000 and own nothing.

Purchase Scenario: 50-Gallon Power Vent Water Heater

• Unit + installation: $1,100 to $2,050 (all-in)
• Annual maintenance: $80 to $150 (optional service visit)
• 10-year total cost: approximately $1,900 to $3,550
• After 10 to 12 years: the unit has paid for itself. You own it outright and continue to use it at no ongoing cost.

The difference: Buying can save you $3,000 to $6,000 or more over the lifetime of a single water heater compared to renting. That’s money that stays in your pocket.

Furnace rental programs tend to carry even higher monthly fees, making the financial case for buying even stronger:

Rental Scenario: 80% AFUE Power Vent Furnace

• Monthly rental fee: $50 to $90 per month
• Annual cost: $600 to $1,080
• 10-year cost: $6,000 to $10,800
• 15-year cost: $9,000 to $16,200

Again — after all those payments, you still do not own the furnace.

Purchase Scenario: 80% AFUE Power Vent Furnace

• Unit + installation: $2,000 to $3,700 (all-in)
• Annual maintenance: $100 to $200
• 10-year total cost: approximately $3,000 to $5,700

The difference: Buying a furnace instead of renting can save you $5,000 to $10,000+ over its lifetime. And with a high-efficiency model, Ontario government rebates can reduce your upfront purchase cost by hundreds to thousands of dollars — making the financial case for buying even more compelling.

Beyond the monthly fee, rental agreements often come with costs and complications that aren’t made clear at the point of signing:

Annual Rental Rate Increases

Many rental contracts include annual escalation clauses that allow the rental company to raise your monthly fee by a set percentage each year — often 2 to 4%. That $35 monthly fee in year one becomes $50+ by year ten. Over the course of a long-term contract, these increases can add thousands of dollars to your total cost.

Early Termination Fees

Deciding you want to buy your own unit partway through a rental contract? Many rental agreements charge a significant buy-out or early termination fee — sometimes equivalent to the remaining months of the contract. Homeowners who try to exit their rental early often find themselves paying far more than they anticipated.

Complications When Selling Your Home

This is one of the most significant and least-discussed risks of renting in Ontario. Some rental companies register a Notice of Security Interest (NOSI) against your property title, which means the rental agreement is attached to your home — not just you. When you sell, the buyer may refuse to assume the rental, forcing you to pay a buyout fee before closing. This has caused real estate transactions across Ontario to fall through or cost sellers thousands of unexpected dollars at closing.

Service Quality Is Not Guaranteed

Rental companies promise service and repairs are covered, but “covered” doesn’t always mean “fast.” Response times for rental company service calls can be days — not hours. If your water heater fails on a Friday evening in February, you may be waiting through the weekend for a technician while the rental company manages its service queue.

You Have No Control Over the Unit

As a renter, you have no say in what brand or model is installed in your home, when it gets replaced, or what efficiency rating it carries. You also can’t take advantage of government rebates on a unit you don’t own — the rental company captures any incentives, not you.

We’re committed to giving you an honest picture — and the truth is that renting isn’t the right answer for everyone, but it’s not always the wrong one either. Here are the situations where renting may genuinely be worth considering:

• You’re planning to sell in the very short term: If you expect to sell your home within one to two years and don’t want to absorb the upfront cost of a new unit, renting avoids the capital outlay. Just make sure you understand the contract’s NOSI and buyout terms before signing.
• You have no emergency fund available: If a sudden unit failure leaves you with no financial option to purchase, a rental can get heat or hot water restored quickly while you stabilize your finances. However, Constant Home Comfort’s 0% financing option is often a better alternative in this scenario — you own the unit from day one and pay it off over time.
• You are renting the property yourself: As a tenant, a rental appliance may be your landlord’s responsibility — this is a different situation entirely from a homeowner making a purchase decision.

For the vast majority of Ontario homeowners, buying — especially with financing — is the smarter long-term financial decision. But we’ll always give you both options and let you choose what’s right for your situation.

One of the most common reasons Ontario homeowners default to renting is the upfront cost of purchasing. But with Constant Home Comfort’s 0% financing options, that barrier disappears — and you get all the financial benefits of ownership without the lump-sum payment.

Here’s what financing your power vent purchase looks like vs. renting:

Financed Purchase: 50-Gallon Power Vent Water Heater

• All-in purchase price: $1,500 (mid-range example)
• Financed over 12 months at 0%: approximately $125 per month
• After 12 months: the unit is fully paid off and you own it outright
• Ongoing monthly cost after payoff: $0

Compare that to a rental at $35 to $50 per month that never ends. After just a few years, the financed purchase has already won on cost — and you have a unit you own, with full control over service, upgrades, and rebate eligibility.

Ask us about our current financing plans when you call or book online. Qualifying is simple and there are no hidden fees.

Ontario and federal government rebate programs are available to homeowners who purchase qualifying high-efficiency appliances. When you rent, you do not own the appliance — which means you cannot claim these rebates. The rental company captures any available incentives.

When you buy through Constant Home Comfort, you gain access to:

• Up to $5,000 for eligible ductless heat pump systems in qualifying postal codes
• Up to $2,000 for qualifying ducted or ductless heat pump systems
• Additional federal and provincial incentives for high-efficiency furnaces and water heaters that meet minimum performance thresholds

These rebates can reduce your upfront purchase cost significantly — in some cases covering a substantial portion of the all-in price. Our team will confirm your rebate eligibility before you commit to anything.

Here is a straightforward comparison of what each option means for Ontario homeowners:

Upfront Cost

• Renting: $0 upfront (low barrier to entry)
• Buying: $900 to $5,500+ depending on unit (0% financing available)

Long-Term Cost

• Renting: $4,200 to $16,000+ over 10 to 15 years with no end date
• Buying: $1,900 to $5,700 total, fully paid off within the unit’s lifespan

Ownership

• Renting: You never own the unit
• Buying: You own it from day one

Rebate Eligibility

• Renting: Not eligible — the rental company captures any rebates
• Buying: Fully eligible for all available Ontario and federal rebate programs

Home Sale Impact

• Renting: Possible NOSI on title, early buyout fees, potential complications at closing
• Buying: Owned appliance adds value to your home with no encumbrances

Service and Repairs

• Renting: Covered by rental company, but response times may be slow
• Buying: Choose your own service provider; 24/7 emergency repair available through Constant Home Comfort

Flexibility

• Renting: Locked into a long-term contract with early exit fees
• Buying: Full flexibility to upgrade, replace, or change providers at any time

Can I buy out my existing rental unit?

Yes, in most cases — but you will need to contact your rental company to get the current buyout amount. Buyout fees vary widely depending on the age of the unit, the remaining contract term, and the rental company’s policies. Once you’ve received the buyout number, we can help you determine whether paying it off and purchasing a new unit makes more financial sense.

What happens to my rental unit when I sell my home?

This depends on whether a NOSI has been registered on your property title and the terms of your rental agreement. In some cases, the buyer will assume the rental contract. In others, you’ll be required to pay a buyout before closing. We strongly recommend reviewing your rental agreement with a real estate lawyer before listing your home if you have a rental appliance.

Does Constant Home Comfort offer financing on purchases?

Yes. We offer 0% financing for up to 12 months on qualifying purchases, making it easy to own your power vent system without a large upfront payment. Ask about current financing terms when you call or book your consultation.

If I buy, who do I call when something breaks?

You call us. Constant Home Comfort provides 24/7 emergency repair service across Ontario for all major power vent brands. We offer maintenance plans that include annual inspections and priority service, so you’re never left scrambling when something goes wrong.

Is a purchased unit covered by a warranty?

Yes. Every unit we install comes with a manufacturer’s warranty — typically 6 to 12 years on the heat exchanger or tank, and 1 to 5 years on parts depending on the brand and model. We also offer our own labour warranty on all installations. We’ll walk you through the full warranty coverage before you buy.

Thousands of Ontario homeowners are paying hundreds of dollars a year more than they need to — for appliances they will never own. Constant Home Comfort makes it easy to switch: transparent pricing, 0% financing, full rebate support, and expert installation backed by 24/7 service.

Whether you’re replacing an existing rental, upgrading an aging owned unit, or installing for the first time, our team will give you a fully transparent quote and help you make the decision that’s right for your home and your budget — with no pressure.

📞 Call us today: 1 (888) 675-5907

💻 Get a free quote online: constanthomecomfort.com

💰 Check your rebate eligibility: Ask about current Ontario and federal incentive programs when you call.

Serving Toronto, GTA, Hamilton, Ottawa, Barrie, and all of Ontario — with the honest advice and transparent pricing you deserve.