How Energy efficient is Ontario?

A Canadian energy efficiency scorecard puts B.C. at the top and Nfld. and Labrador at the bottom. Efficiency Canada, an advocacy group based at Carleton University in Ottawa, has released its 2019 Provincial Energy Efficiency Scorecard that ranks the provinces out of a score of 100. The Canadian scorecard – similar to the state scorecard released annually by the American […]

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You are losing money…

The cold weather is here and if your furnace needs replacing you know it. Turn on a radio and you will be bombarded with advertisements offering deals to buy your old furnace for $1000 or no payments for 6 months. These ads work and many homeowners will jump at the opportunity to save money. Unfortunately, […]

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Provincial law requires that certified tradespeople be used.

There are rules. And you can’t install heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) units in homes without following them. First the firm, or subcontractor if that’s the case, doing the installation needs to take out a permit issued by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). It needs to be licensed to work in Hamilton. Provincial law requires […]

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AC performance tips

How old is your HVAC system? The ductwork? Do you have pets? Are you good about changing your HVAC filters? In my limited experience, and observations when removing ducts, most ductwork does not get that dirty. The grills, if they’re on the floor, tend to collect dirt, pet hair, and dust, however. Vacuum out your […]

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Windsor Contractor Convicted for Endangering Family

Court imposes $10,000 fine for unlawful activity In January 2014, Mr. Van Wattegham was called to service a gas furnace that had been shut off by another gas technician at a residential home in Windsor due to a crack in the heat exchanger, which poses a significant CO hazard. Mr. Van Wattegham failed to appreciate […]

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Toronto Man Convicted for Faulty Furnace Installation

Court imposes $4,000 fine for endangering family In October 2013, Mr. Fernando Bento installed a natural gas furnace as a favour to a friend. Although certified as a gas technician, Bento only performed occasional gas work. The installation was faulty and tripped a safety pressure switch, which is designed to automatically turn off the furnace […]

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Be careful of furnace leases

Last April 1, the Ontario government passed a law to protect consumers from door-to-door sales agents trying to switch their hot water heaters to another rental supplier. Sales agents are still knocking on doors. But many have found a more lucrative pursuit than replacing water heaters. Now they’re pushing you to replace your furnace and […]

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Wonderful Heating-Cooling Prosecuted for Removing Safety Control

Court issues $6000 penalty In February 2014, a TSSA inspector investigated a fire at a Toronto dwelling, along with Toronto Fire Services and Enbridge Gas, and upon further investigation discovered that the HVAC contractor, Wonderful Heating and Cooling, had bypassed a safety switch on the fuel-fired furnace. Installing an air conditioner, Mr. Shaofa Li, owner/operator […]

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Kingston Fuels Contractor Given Jail Time for Safety Violations

Court sentences unlicensed fuels contractor to 5 days in jail In October 2015, a TSSA inspector investigated a complaint about the removal and installation of fuel-fired appliances at a Kingston residence and discovered that the work had been performed by an unlicensed fuels contractor. Upon further investigation, TSSA confirmed that Timothy Foster had been previously […]

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