Quick answer: how to check a licensed HVAC contractor
A licensed HVAC contractor in Ottawa should be able to answer all of these without hesitation. If they cannot, keep looking.
TSSA registration
The company is a registered fuels contractor, and the technician holds a TSSA gas technician certificate (G2 or G1 for most home work).
Refrigerant certification
Anyone handling refrigerant on your AC or heat pump holds an ODP card, and AC mechanics hold the right trade certificate.
Insurance
Proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage for workers.
Written quote
Model numbers, efficiency ratings, scope of work, permits and total price.
Warranty registration
Who registers the equipment with the manufacturer, and when.
Sizing
A load calculation or a proper assessment, not a guess based on the old unit.
HVAC licences and certifications in Ontario
| Credential | Who oversees it | What it covers | How to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered fuels contractor | TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority) | Companies doing gas appliance and gas piping work | TSSA’s “Find a Registered Fuels Contractor” tool |
| Gas technician certificate (G3, G2, G1) | TSSA | Individual technicians installing and servicing gas equipment | Ask to see the technician’s certificate card |
| ODP card | Ontario Ministry of the Environment program; courses through HRAI and partners | Buying and handling refrigerants | Ask to see the card; it is valid for five years |
| Refrigeration and air conditioning trade certificate | Ontario’s skilled trades system | Working on and repairing AC and refrigeration equipment | Ask which certificate the technician holds |
| Quebec licence | Régie du bâtiment du Québec | Contractors working in Gatineau and the rest of Quebec | Ask for the licence number |
| Liability insurance and WSIB | Insurer; Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board | Damage to your home; injuries to workers | Ask for certificates before work starts |
Gas work: why TSSA licensing matters
TSSA regulates fuel-burning appliances and gas work in Ontario. Gas technician certificates come in three levels: G3 is entry level and works under supervision, G2 can work independently on appliances up to 400,000 BTU/h (which covers nearly all homes), and G1 covers equipment of any size.
That training covers what goes wrong when gas work is done badly: undersized gas lines, incorrect gas pressure, poor venting, and burners that produce carbon monoxide. A licensed technician tests combustion and checks for leaks before leaving.
Unlicensed gas work can leave you with an unsafe appliance that a utility or TSSA inspector may shut off and tag, plus questions from your insurer if anything goes wrong. It applies to furnaces, boilers, water heaters, fireplaces, BBQ lines and garage heaters alike.
Refrigerant work: ODP cards and new refrigerants
In Ontario, you need an Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) card to buy or handle refrigerants. The card does not, on its own, allow someone to repair AC equipment. That takes a trade Certificate of Qualification.
Refrigerants are changing. R-22 has been phased out, and new AC and heat pump equipment is moving from R-410A to R-454B and R-32. These newer refrigerants need updated tools and handling practices.
Venting refrigerant, topping up a leak without finding it, or charging a system by guesswork shortens equipment life and harms the environment. A certified technician recovers refrigerant properly and charges to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Permits and inspections
Some HVAC work needs a City of Ottawa building permit, for example new ductwork in a renovation, a system serving an addition, or significant changes to a home’s mechanical systems. Gas appliance installations must also meet the gas code that TSSA enforces.
Rules depend on the scope of work, so ask your contractor whether a permit is needed and who will obtain it. If you are unsure, confirm with the City before work begins.
A contractor who suggests skipping a required permit to save time or money is taking a risk with your home, not theirs.
Warranty registration and paperwork
Manufacturer warranties usually depend on installation by a qualified contractor, and many require the equipment to be registered within a set window after installation. Miss that window and you may receive a shorter base warranty.
Ask your contractor to register the equipment, or give you everything you need to do it yourself. Keep the invoice, model and serial numbers, and records of yearly maintenance in one place.
Oria is a Lennox authorized dealer and also installs Goodman and all major brands, so we can explain each manufacturer’s registration requirements at the time of installation.
Insurance and WSIB coverage
HVAC work involves gas, electricity, ladders and roofs. If a worker is injured on your property or your home is damaged, the contractor’s coverage matters.
Liability insurance
Covers damage to your home caused by the contractor’s work.
WSIB coverage
Protects workers injured on the job. You can ask for a WSIB clearance certificate.
Your home insurance
Insurers may ask whether gas or fuel work was done by a licensed contractor after a fire, leak or other claim.
Red flags to watch for
Uninvited door-to-door sales
Ontario law restricts door-to-door contracts for furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, air cleaners and duct cleaning unless you invited the seller. You also have a 10-day cooling-off period on contracts signed at home.
No licence or registration number
Or vague answers about who will actually do the gas work.
A price by phone without seeing the house
No measurements, no questions about your home, no load calculation.
Pressure tactics
“today only” prices, or claims that your furnace is dangerous with no explanation or tag.
Cash only, no written quote
No model numbers, no scope, no invoice.
Rental or financing contracts you have not read
Check the term, buyout cost and whether the company registers a notice on your property title.
“Government program” claims
Real rebates come through official programs; check before you sign.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is your company a TSSA-registered fuels contractor, and what gas certificate will the technician hold?
- Will the person handling refrigerant have an ODP card and an AC trade certificate?
- Can you send proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage?
- How will you size the new system for my home?
- Which exact models are you quoting, and what are their AFUE, SEER2 or HSPF2 ratings?
- Does this job need a permit, and who obtains it?
- Who registers the warranty, and what does the manufacturer warranty cover?
- What happens if something goes wrong after installation?
- Are rebates available, and will you help with the paperwork?
- Can I read recent reviews from homeowners near me?
What a proper installation includes
A licensed HVAC contractor does more than swap boxes. On a furnace, AC or heat pump installation, expect:
Correct sizing
Based on your home’s heat loss and gain, not the old unit’s label. See our guide to furnace sizing for Ottawa homes.
Venting and gas piping to code
Including outdoor intake and exhaust placed clear of snow lines.
Commissioning
Gas pressure, combustion, airflow and refrigerant charge checked and recorded.
Safety checks
Leak testing and confirmation that CO alarms are in place near sleeping areas.
A walkthrough
How to use the thermostat, change the filter and spot problems.
How Oria meets these standards
Oria Heating and Cooling is a family-owned Ottawa contractor serving the region since 2014. We are TSSA and HRAI approved, every technician holds AC and gas licences, and we hold the licences required to work in Gatineau, Quebec.
We are Google Guaranteed and hold a 5.0-star Google rating from 578 reviews. As one homeowner, B R, put it: “Mansoor and team has been very responsive, reliable and always providing top notch HVAC service with reasonable pricing.”
Learn more about Oria, read our customer reviews, or book a free quote for furnace installation or air conditioning installation by calling (613) 866-1869. For new gas appliances, see our gas line installation service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if an HVAC contractor is licensed in Ontario?
Ask for the company’s TSSA fuels contractor registration and check it with TSSA’s “Find a Registered Fuels Contractor” tool. Ask the technician to show their TSSA gas technician certificate and, for AC or heat pump work, their ODP card and trade certificate. Also request proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage before any work begins.
Do I need a permit to replace a furnace or AC in Ottawa?
It depends on the scope. Gas appliance work must meet the gas code that TSSA enforces in every case. The City of Ottawa may require a building permit for work such as new ductwork, systems for additions or major mechanical changes. Your contractor should tell you whether a permit is needed and who will obtain it.
What is an ODP card?
An Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) card is the Ontario certificate required to buy or handle refrigerants. It is earned through a one-day approved course, offered by HRAI and its partners, and is valid for five years. On its own, it does not authorize someone to repair AC or refrigeration equipment, which also requires a trade certificate.
Can a handyman install a gas line or furnace in Ontario?
No, not legally unless they are a certified gas technician working for a TSSA-registered contractor. Gas appliances and gas piping, including lines for BBQs, ranges, dryers and fireplaces, must be installed by licensed gas technicians. Unlicensed work can leave you with an unsafe installation, problems with your insurer and a warranty claim that may be denied.
Does an unlicensed installation void my HVAC warranty?
It can. Manufacturer warranties typically require installation by a qualified, licensed contractor, and many require the equipment to be registered within a set time after installation. If the installer was not licensed, or the equipment was never registered, the manufacturer may decline a claim or offer only a shorter base warranty.
Is door-to-door HVAC selling allowed in Ontario?
Ontario law restricts door-to-door contracts for furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, air cleaners, water treatment devices and duct cleaning. A business cannot come to your home uninvited and sign you to a contract for these products. If you invited them, you still have a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel a contract signed at home.
What are the red flags of a bad HVAC contractor?
Watch for no TSSA registration or licence numbers, a price given by phone without seeing your home, pressure to sign the same day, cash-only payment, and no written quote listing models and scope. Be cautious with rental contracts you have not read in full and with anyone claiming to represent a government program.
Related Reading
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Family-owned, licensed HVAC contractor serving Ottawa and Gatineau since 2014. 5.0 stars from 578 Google reviews.