The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) warns you to beware of door-to-door and telemarketing salespeople wearing TSSA insignia and/or misrepresenting themselves as inspectors. These people typically sell furnaces, water heaters and energy services and are NOT associated with TSSA.
TSSA inspectors do NOT sell products or services and do not go door-to-door. TSSA inspectors only attend residential locations as part of an official incident investigation or when a homeowner requests a visit.
There are only a few circumstances in which TSSA would come to your home. These conditions include:
Emergency situations, like a carbon monoxide incident, fire, gas leak or explosion.
Investigations, when there is reason to believe an uncertified individual has worked on a fuel-burning appliance.
Requests from the Ontario Fire Marshal, the local fire services, or police department, or
When you ask for TSSA’s help to report a safety concern.
In any and all of these situations, TSSA representatives will always present a business card and have a badge to identify themselves. They will NOT show up uninvited or unannounced and will NEVER attempt to sell products or services to residents. TSSA exists to keep the Ontario public safe.
If you have any doubt about the identity of a TSSA inspector, ask to see the inspector’s Provincial Offences Officer badge, or contact TSSA for verification of the inspector’s name and badge number.
If you are ever in doubt about an individual’s identity, call TSSA at 1-877-682-8772 to confirm it. A list of Registered Fuels Contractors is also on our website.
There are rules about how TSSA’s logo can be used
While TSSA-authorized companies and individuals may refer to TSSA by name on their websites or marketing materials, they are NOT allowed to use the TSSA logo without express permission.
TSSA only grants permission to use its logo when TSSA is directly involved in delivering a safety initiative. Any unauthorized use of TSSA’s brand identity or logo by any company or contractor, including those selling fuel-fired appliances or energy services, will face an aggressive legal response.
Please report to us any salespeople who misrepresent themselves by wearing or showing a TSSA logo or claiming to be from TSSA. Send an email to fuels_technical_services@tssa.org or anonymously to tssa@integritycounts.ca.
No one can force you to have your furnace inspected
If someone calls you or arrives at your home and says you require a furnace inspection, you do NOT need to comply. TSSA encourages you to have your furnace or other fuel-burning devices inspected every year, but YOU are responsible for asking for the inspection.
Always choose a TSSA-registered contractor to check and service your equipment—and remember that TSSA staff will NOT contact you first.
Door-to-door furnace and water heater sales are restricted in Ontario
Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, 2002 prohibits the sale of furnaces and water heaters by door-to-door salespeople unless you ask someone to sell to you that way. However, there are some exceptions to this legislation, including when there is already a contract in place. Learn more on the Consumer Protection Ontario website.
How to recognize energy scams
Be wary of businesses who contact you about rebates and incentives and claim to have approval from various levels of government, utility companies or industry associations.
If you are concerned about unsolicited communication regarding energy rebates, check the validity of the rebate directly from the source by calling the organization supposedly offering the incentive or checking its website.
How to verify a Fuels Professional
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) suggests “red flags” to watch out for when you are shopping for a contractor.
A qualified contractor WILL:
Readily provide a full business address and telephone number where they can be reached.
Offer the names and addresses of customers they have done work for in your area.
A qualified contractor WILL NOT:
Quote prices over the phone without first assessing your job on site.
Request a large cash advance before delivering any equipment or materials.
Insist that their offer is limited to that moment or tell you that you need to decide right away.
If you are suspicious about a door-to-door or other kind of salesperson:
Check to see if the individual has a well-marked vehicle.
Ask for proper identification and a business card.
Tell them you’ll get back in touch.
Do your research. When in doubt, do not hesitate to confirm their registration with TSSA.
If you would like a printable copy of this information, download TSSA’s Fuels Professional Verification Checklist Pamphlet (pdf).
Report fraudulent Fuels workers
Please report illegal Fuels workers. Your actions may just save the life of a friend or family member.
While you may be reluctant to report unregistered contractors and uncertified technicians for fear of embarrassment or reprisal, rest assured that TSSA exists to keep you and the Ontario public safe.
You may report an unregistered contractor or uncertified technician by emailing fuels_technical_services@tssa.org.
Additional resources
CBC News coverage: Man Charged After Allegedly Going Door to Door Impersonating a Safety Inspector
Toronto Police Services Constable Julie Campbell’s Awareness Video