A furnace breakdown rarely happens at a convenient time. During an Ottawa winter, even a minor heating problem can quickly become urgent—and the cost of diagnosing the issue, finding the right part and completing the repair can add up.
A furnace protection plan helps make those expenses more predictable. It combines annual maintenance with a reduced diagnostic fee and coverage toward eligible furnace repairs.
Zenith Eco Energy offers two annual options for qualifying residential furnaces: the Essential Plan and the Plus Plan.
What Is a Furnace Protection Plan?
A furnace protection plan is a 12-month service agreement designed to help homeowners maintain their heating system and reduce the financial impact of eligible repairs.
Unlike annual maintenance alone, a protection plan provides ongoing benefits throughout the plan term. Depending on the option selected, it can include:
- Annual furnace maintenance
- A reduced service call and diagnostic fee
- Coverage toward eligible replacement parts
- Partial or full labour coverage for eligible repairs
- No additional after-hours, weekend or statutory-holiday premium
- Support with eligible manufacturer’s warranty claims
Coverage is subject to the plan’s eligibility requirements, annual parts limit, exclusions and official agreement.
Manufacturer’s Warranty vs. a Furnace Protection Plan
Many homeowners assume that if their furnace still has a manufacturer’s warranty, the entire repair will be free. In most cases, however, a manufacturer’s warranty applies only to an eligible replacement part after the claim has been reviewed and approved.
Diagnostic charges, technician labour, annual maintenance, shipping and the administrative work required to submit and follow up on a warranty claim may not be covered by the manufacturer.
How Does a Manufacturer’s Warranty Claim Work?
The process generally includes the following steps:
- A technician inspects the furnace and diagnoses the problem.
- A new replacement part is obtained and installed.
- The defective part is returned to the supplier or manufacturer.
- A warranty claim is submitted with the required equipment, serial-number and part information.
- Any additional documents requested by the supplier or manufacturer must be provided.
- The claim is reviewed, which may take several days and, in some cases, longer.
- If approved, the manufacturer reimburses the eligible part cost according to its warranty terms.
This is why a manufacturer’s parts warranty does not necessarily mean that diagnosis, labour and the full repair process are free.
Faster Repairs Without Waiting for Warranty Approval
One of the most valuable benefits of a Zenith Furnace Protection Plan is that an eligible repair does not have to wait for the manufacturer to finish reviewing the warranty claim.
Subject to part availability, Zenith obtains and installs the required replacement part as soon as possible so the home’s heating can be restored. After the repair is completed, we return the defective part and handle the warranty submission and follow-up process.
If the manufacturer approves and reimburses the claim, the amount received—after applicable shipping, return and warranty-processing costs are deducted—is credited back to the customer’s remaining annual parts-coverage limit. The available balance cannot exceed the plan’s original annual maximum.
This allows the manufacturer’s warranty and the Zenith Protection Plan to work together: the repair can move forward sooner, while Zenith handles the warranty process afterward.
Zenith Furnace Protection Plan Options
Labour coverage applies only to approved repairs performed by Zenith Eco Energy.
What Parts Are Covered?
The plans cover eligible internal furnace components required for normal furnace operation, subject to the selected plan’s annual parts-coverage limit. The furnace condensate pump is also included.
All replacement parts supplied under the plan will be new. Zenith will use either a genuine OEM part or a compatible replacement part approved by the original equipment manufacturer. Used, refurbished and unapproved parts will not be installed.
What Is Not Covered?
The heat exchanger is specifically excluded from repair or replacement coverage. Rust, corrosion or deterioration of the furnace cabinet or body is also excluded.
Thermostats, filters, ductwork, air-conditioning components, humidifiers, HRVs and other external accessories are not considered covered furnace components.
Damage or failure caused by external factors is not covered. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Flooding, water damage or external leaks
- Fire
- Power surges or building electrical problems
- Animals, rodents or pests
- Misuse or improper operation
- Lack of reasonable maintenance, including severely restricted filters
- Previous improper installation or alteration
- Unauthorized repair attempts or changes to furnace wiring or components
The official Protection Plan Agreement contains the complete coverage conditions and exclusions.
How the $49 Service Call and Diagnostic Fee Works
The $49 + HST charge applies once per claim, not once per visit.
A single claim may require more than one appointment. For example, the technician may diagnose the problem during the first visit and return later to install an ordered part. No additional service call fee is charged for those follow-up visits when they are part of the same claim.
The $49 + HST fee still applies if no covered furnace failure is found. This may include situations involving thermostat settings, a switched-off furnace, normal operating sounds or another condition that does not require a covered repair. A new or unrelated problem is treated as a separate claim.
Plan members do not pay an additional after-hours, weekend or statutory-holiday premium. Appointment timing, including emergency service, remains subject to technician availability.
Repairs Must Be Performed by Zenith
Before attempting a repair or allowing another person to work on the furnace, the plan member must contact Zenith.
All covered repairs must be diagnosed, approved and completed by Zenith Eco Energy. Repairs, replacement parts or services provided by another contractor will not be covered or reimbursed.
An outside repair attempt does not automatically cancel the entire plan. However, the affected repair—and any related damage, altered wiring, removed components or additional diagnostic work—will not be covered and will be charged at Zenith’s regular rates.
Zenith may require the resulting problems to be corrected at the member’s expense before coverage continues. Unrelated future failures may remain eligible.
Initial Inspection and Plan Eligibility
The plan is available for qualifying residential furnaces up to 18 years old.
At the beginning of the first appointment, a Zenith technician assesses the furnace to determine whether it qualifies. If approved, the technician completes the included annual maintenance, and that visit becomes the annual maintenance appointment for the first plan year.
There is no additional charge for this initial eligibility assessment. If the furnace does not qualify, no plan fee is charged.
Pre-existing problems are not covered. If the technician identifies a correctable issue, the customer may choose to have it repaired at their own expense and request plan approval after the repair is completed.
When Does Coverage Begin?
A 15-day waiting period applies during the first year of initial enrollment. Existing problems and repairs required before or during that waiting period are not covered.
When the plan is renewed without interruption before its expiry date, coverage continues into the next plan year without another waiting period.
If the plan expires or coverage lapses, a later enrollment is treated as a new plan and requires a new eligibility assessment and 15-day waiting period.
The plan member is responsible for renewing before the expiry date. Zenith may send a reminder as a courtesy, but reminders are not guaranteed. Failure to send or receive a reminder does not extend the plan or continue coverage beyond its expiry date.
What If the Furnace Cannot Be Repaired?
A furnace may be considered non-repairable under the plan if the required part has been discontinued or is unavailable with no suitable approved replacement, or if a Zenith technician determines that the furnace cannot be safely restored to operation.
A red tag alone does not automatically make a furnace non-repairable if the identified safety issue can be properly corrected. The final determination is made by Zenith after considering the furnace’s condition, parts availability and applicable safety requirements.
Heat exchanger repair or replacement is not covered under the plan. If a Zenith technician confirms that the heat exchanger has failed—or determines that the furnace is non-repairable—the member is eligible for 5% off the purchase and installation of a qualifying new furnace from Zenith Eco Energy.
The 5% discount:
- Applies to the price before HST
- Has no maximum dollar limit
- Cannot be combined with another promotion or discount
Any unused parts-coverage balance cannot be applied toward the purchase or installation of the new furnace and has no cash value.
If the new furnace is purchased and installed through Zenith, the remaining term of the existing Protection Plan is transferred to the new furnace at no additional cost. The transfer does not begin a new 12-month term, and no new waiting period applies. The remaining parts-coverage balance continues under the transferred plan.
If the annual maintenance visit has already been completed during the current plan year, an additional maintenance visit is not included after the transfer.
Can the Plan Be Cancelled?
Yes. If the plan is cancelled, all maintenance, repairs, parts, labour, reduced diagnostic fees and other plan benefits already provided are recalculated at Zenith’s regular rates and deducted from the amount paid for the plan.
Any remaining balance is refunded. If the value of the benefits already received equals or exceeds the amount paid, no refund is issued, and the customer is not required to pay the difference. Coverage ends on the effective date of cancellation.
Can the Plan Be Transferred When the Home Is Sold?
Yes. The plan can be transferred free of charge to the new owner of the same property.
The new owner must notify Zenith as soon as reasonably possible after taking ownership and must complete the transfer before requesting service or submitting a claim.
The original expiry date, remaining parts-coverage limit and all other plan conditions remain unchanged.
Is a Furnace Protection Plan Worth It?
A protection plan may be worthwhile if you want:
- Annual professional furnace maintenance
- More predictable repair expenses
- A lower service call and diagnostic fee
- Help with eligible parts and labour costs
- Faster repairs without waiting for a manufacturer’s warranty decision
- Zenith to manage eligible warranty submissions and follow-up
- Greater protection for an older qualifying furnace
However, a protection plan may not be necessary for every homeowner. A newer furnace may already have strong manufacturer’s parts coverage and an installer’s labour warranty. Before enrolling, compare your existing coverage with the plan’s price and benefits.
The right choice depends on your furnace’s age and condition, its current warranty and how much protection you want against unexpected repair costs.
Which Plan Is Right for You?
The Essential Plan may suit homeowners who want annual maintenance, a lower diagnostic fee and help with repair costs at a lower annual price. It provides up to $1,000 in eligible annual parts coverage and pays 50% of eligible repair labour.
The Plus Plan offers greater financial protection. It provides up to $1,500 in eligible annual parts coverage and pays 100% of eligible repair labour, with no annual labour cap. It may be the better choice for homeowners who prefer stronger protection against unexpected furnace repair expenses.
Ask Zenith About Furnace Protection
Not sure whether your furnace qualifies or which plan is right for you?
Contact Zenith Eco Energy with the furnace make, model and approximate age. Our team can explain the available options and arrange the initial eligibility assessment.
Call 613-800-9022 or submit an appointment request online.
Protection Plan coverage is subject to equipment eligibility, exclusions, limitations, parts availability and the official Zenith Eco Energy Protection Plan Agreement. If this article and the signed agreement differ, the terms of the signed agreement will apply.
