Homes: 2010s to 2026
Furnace
If your home was built in the last 25 years, you likely have a mid to high-efficiency furnace. Check when the furnace was installed.
In 2009, the federal Canadian law mandated that all gas-fired furnaces manufactured after December 31, 2009, must meet a minimum efficiency of (AFUE) 90%. In 2016, the Alberta building code was updated to align with national standards, requiring new homes to have high-efficiency furnaces.
In 2019, further changes were made, requiring gas furnaces to be at 95% (AFUE) efficiency.
There were a few builders in Calgary in the 2000s who opted to put electric furnaces in their homes. Electric furnaces are expensive to run in Alberta. Natural gas furnaces are the least expensive to run, and most ideal in Alberta.
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters have risen in popularity over the past few decades because of their ability to supply unlimited hot water to your household on demand.
Unfortunately, many homeowners do not properly maintain their tankless water heaters, and they build up with hard water scale. We recommend having your tankless water heater serviced every year, or every two years at a minimum.
Read more about the pros and cons of tankless water heaters.
Ventilation Problems
Homes built in the last 20 years have tighter ventilation, which allows the home to be less drafty and trap in heat, but also can trap water vapour and cause high indoor humidity in winter, which can lead to:
- Frost buildup on windows
- Condensation in the attic
- Trapped condensation leading to mould
Foundation, Grading, and Settling Issues
One of the main concerns in new neighbourhoods is foundation and grading issues, which can lead to water pooling near your home and cause basement flooding.
Make sure your downspouts are pointed away from the house. Be aware of the water table in your neighbourhood, and consider having a sump pump installed if there is a history of flooding.
Homes: 1990s to the early 2000s
Furnace
Because high-efficiency furnaces (defined as 90% AFUE or higher) were not mandated until 2009, your home may have a low or mid-efficiency furnace. The benefit of having a high-efficiency furnace is that it will save you money on your heating every month.
In addition to being less efficient, furnaces become less efficient over time. As motor components wear out and dust accumulates, a furnace becomes more expensive to run, and heating bills rise.
Plumbing
Poly-B, a ticking time bomb, was a popular building material in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. Poly-B (polybutylene) was a common material used for water lines. Unfortunately, many insurers will have higher premiums for poly-b homes, if they will insure them at all. Poly-B is known for having fittings leak, or the pipe becoming brittle and leaking, or bursting. Most insurers will push for the replacement of the Poly-B lines.
Wondering if you have Poly-B in your home? Read more.
Electrical Panels
Federal Pioneer / Stab-Lok Panels were very common electrical panels from the 1960s onward.
Federal Pioneer or Stab-Lok Panels are the Canadian version of Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok panels, which have a history of starting fires.
The concern is that the breakers may fail to trip when they are overloaded. As breakers overheat, they are at risk of starting a fire.
Home inspectors in Alberta are wary of Federal Pioneer or Stab-Lok Panels, and so are insurance companies. Some insurers may charge more or possibly refuse coverage.
Homes: 1970s to 1980s
Electrical Wiring
Aluminum wiring became very popular in the 1970s and carried into the 1980s. Aluminum was a cheap alternative to copper.
Aluminum wiring is no longer up to building code and needs to be replaced or remediated in order for your home to be insured.
Read more about the risks and how to spot aluminum wiring.
If your home is older, it may still be at risk of aluminum wiring if a renovation or basement development was done at that time.
Electrical Panels
In the 70s and 80s, Federal Pioneer / Stab-Lok electrical panels were very popular.
We recommend replacing your electrical panel if you have a Federal Pioneer or Stab-Lok panel because of the following reasons:
- Risk of starting fires
- Breakers may fail to trip when they are overloaded
- Insurers may refuse coverage
- Higher insurance premiums
Read more about Federal Pioneer / Stab-Lok electrical panels.
Sewer Pipes
Aging sewer pipes, which cause sewer backups, are a costly repair.
As sewer pipes age, they can crack, belly, or become infested with roots. Ultimately, any of these can cause major clogs and lead to raw sewage backing up into your home.
Sewer backups are disastrous. Although the clogs can be cleaned out, the only way to truly prevent a backup from happening is by repairing or replacing the sewerline.
In the 1970s and 1980s, sewerlines were most commonly made with plastic (usually PVC) pipes, which are least likely to have issues.
We recommend having a drain inspection with a camera to identify issues, particularly root intrusions.
Furnace
It is very unlikely that a home built in the 70s or 80s will have the original furnace installed (but it is possible).
Depending on when the furnace was replaced may give you insight into prospective problems. Furnaces installed after 2009 in Canada were 90% efficient.
Year over year, furnaces become less efficient over time and have a 15 to 25-year lifespan.
Homes: 1950s to 1960s
Electrical Wiring
Homes built in the 50s and early 60s often have wiring very different from our modern standard. Two-prong outlets with no ground wire were common because grounding was not a building standard. This can increase the risk of electrical shocks, short circuits and damage to electronics. Upgrading to GFCI outlets is recommended for ungrounded circuits.
Electrical Panels
Fuse boxes were standard in the 1950s and early 1960s, often replaced later with panels like Federal Pioneer (which have their own issues).
Panels at this time were often rated 30–60 amps, far below today’s electrical demand. If your home still has an original or early replacement panel, it may need an upgrade to safely handle modern appliances, EV chargers, or heating and cooling systems.
Sewer Line
Before the 1970s, cast iron, clay, and something called Orangeburg were commonly used materials for sewerlines. Unfortunately, all of this material is prone to cracks, leaks, and collapse, and often allows roots to infest the sewerline, creating clogs and havoc.
Sewerline backups are a nightmare to deal with, as raw sewage backs up into your home. Sewer backups are disgusting and often costly.
Sewer clogs that cause sewer backups can be removed, but the only way to truly prevent another sewer backup is by repairing or replacing the sewer line.
If you have a home from this era, plan to replace or repair your sewer line. Schedule a sewer line camera inspection to examine the health of your sewerline. Remediate the problem before you have a basement full of sewage.
Learn more about sewer pipe liners and sewer pipe replacement.
Furnace
Homes from the 50s and 60s may have had multiple furnaces installed and replaced. Know the age of your furnace and have it cleaned and inspected regularly to extend its lifespan.
Understand that furnaces installed after 2019 are much more efficient than those of the past.