Is Your Red Deer Furnace Still Running in April? Here's What That Means (and Why It’s Costing You)

It’s April in Alberta—but your furnace is still running. Sound familiar? 

You’re not alone. Many Red Deer homeowners find themselves relying on their heating systems well into what’s technically spring. But if your furnace is still kicking in regularly this month, it might be telling you something important. At Fonda’s Plumbing & Heating, we’ve helped countless families understand the impact Alberta’s unique weather has on their HVAC systems—and how to make sure yours isn’t working harder (and costing more) than it should. 

The truth is, Alberta’s spring isn’t the warm, gentle season most Canadians imagine. Our notorious freeze-thaw cycles, dry prairie dust and wild temperature swings make it one of the most difficult climates for furnaces to navigate. A typical April might see snow on Monday, 18°C sunshine by Wednesday, and frost again before the weekend. Your furnace, if not properly maintained, simply can’t keep up with the constant demand. 

Furnaces are designed to turn on and off based on indoor temperature settings. But when the weather outside changes dramatically day to day, your HVAC system can start to short cycle—turning on and off too frequently. This frequent cycling wears down essential components like motors and igniters, increasing the risk of breakdowns and reducing overall efficiency. If your furnace is running constantly, it could mean it’s struggling to reach or maintain the temperature you've set. That’s not just annoying—it’s costing you more on every utility bill. 

One major reason for this kind of inefficiency is dirty or clogged air filters. Alberta’s dry climate means airborne dust, pet dander and outdoor allergens can accumulate quickly, especially during seasonal transitions. A restricted airflow forces your furnace to work harder than necessary, reducing its performance and lifespan. If you haven’t scheduled a furnace cleaning or filter change since last fall, it’s likely overdue. 

Another cause could be an outdated or miscalibrated thermostat. Older systems might not accurately read the indoor temperature, causing your furnace to run more than necessary. A professional inspection will identify whether a quick thermostat upgrade—or a full HVAC tune-up—is the best next step. 

We recommend booking a spring HVAC inspection to catch these issues early and prevent major problems down the line. At Fonda’s Plumbing & Heating, our team offers complete seasonal tune-ups for heating and cooling systems. We clean your components, check your thermostat, inspect airflow and make sure everything is operating as efficiently as possible.

According to Energy Star Canada, annual HVAC maintenance can reduce your energy bills by up to 20 percent and extend your system’s lifespan. This spring is the perfect time to think about system upgrades, including high-efficiency furnaces and programmable thermostats. 

Whether you need a quick inspection or are considering a system replacement, we’re here to help. Visit our HVAC services page to explore our full range of heating and cooling solutions, including furnace replacement, AC installation and smart thermostat upgrades. 

If your furnace is still humming away while everyone else is turning theirs off, it’s time to take a closer look. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort—or overpay for energy—just because Alberta weather is unpredictable. 

Get in touch with us to book your seasonal HVAC service and stay ahead of the forecast. 

At Fonda’s Plumbing & Heating, we proudly offer: Furnace repair and replacement, AC installation, smart thermostat upgrades, hot water tank servicing, in-floor heating, gas line work, plumbing upgrades and full HVAC maintenance for homes in Red Deer and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule your spring checkup.