How to Choose an HVAC Contractor in Ontario

The contractor you choose matters as much as the equipment. The same heat pump or furnace can perform well or badly depending on how it is sized, installed and commissioned. Ontario has a set of licensing and consumer protection rules that help, but homeowners still need to ask the right questions.

This guide covers what credentials to check, how to compare quotes, what rebate rules require of your contractor, and the red flags to watch for.

Licences and credentials to check

Credential	Who issues it	Required for	How to check
Registered fuel contractor	TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority)	Companies doing gas, propane or oil work	Ask for the registration number; confirm with TSSA at https://www.tssa.org (opens in a new tab)
G2 or G1 gas technician licence	Issued under TSSA's certification program	Individuals installing or servicing gas appliances (G2 covers most residential furnaces)	Ask to see the technician's certificate
Licensed electrical contractor (ECRA/ESA)	Electrical Safety Authority	Electrical work such as new circuits and panel changes	Check at https://www.esasafe.com (opens in a new tab)
ODP (Ozone Depletion Prevention) card	Ontario environmental training program (delivered through HRAI)	Anyone handling refrigerants	Ask to see it
Refrigeration and air conditioning trade certificate (for example 313A, or 313D for residential air conditioning)	Skilled Trades Ontario	Refrigeration and AC trade work	Ask about the installer's trade certificate
HRAI membership	Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada	Voluntary; members agree to a code of ethics and have access to design training	Check at https://www.hrai.ca (opens in a new tab)
Participating contractor status	Home Renovation Savings Program	Heat pump rebates	Confirm through https://saveonenergy.ca (opens in a new tab)

Note: Training and licensing requirements change. Confirm current requirements with TSSA, ESA and Skilled Trades Ontario through https://www.ontario.ca (opens in a new tab) if you are unsure.

Getting and comparing quotes

Aim for at least two or three written quotes. A good quote is specific; a vague one hides differences.

What a good quote includes

• Brand and full model numbers for every component (outdoor unit, indoor coil or air handler, furnace, thermostat).
• Capacity in BTU/h or tons, and for heat pumps, rated capacity at a cold temperature such as −15 °C.
• Efficiency ratings: AFUE for furnaces; SEER2, HSPF2 (Region V if available) for heat pumps and ACs.
• Refrigerant type (R-454B, R-32 or other).
• Load calculation summary, or a commitment to provide one. See our sizing guide.
• Ductwork changes, electrical work, venting and condensate drainage.
• Permits: who obtains them (ESA, gas, municipal if needed).
• Removal and disposal of old equipment and refrigerant recovery.
• Warranty: manufacturer's parts warranty, the contractor's labour warranty, and who registers it.
• Rebate paperwork: who submits what, and when.
• Total price, HST, deposit and payment schedule.

Comparing quotes side by side

Compare	Quote A	Quote B	Quote C
Equipment and model numbers
Capacity at −15 °C (heat pump)
Load calculation provided?
Electrical and duct work included?
Labour warranty (years)
Rebate support
Total price incl. HST

The lowest price is not automatically the worst choice, and the highest is not automatically the best. Look for differences in scope.

Rebate rules your contractor must follow

According to Save on Energy, the Home Renovation Savings Program requires that heat pumps be installed by a participating contractor, with pre-installation approval obtained before work starts, and equipment on the qualified-products list. The contractor must submit post-installation documents within 30 days of install, according to reported 2026 program rules.

Before you sign:

• Confirm the contractor is participating, through Save on Energy.
• Confirm pre-approval has been received, in writing, before installation begins.
• Confirm the model is on the qualified-products list.
• Ask whether the quoted price assumes the rebate, and what happens if it is denied.

Remember that equipment that has received another Enbridge, IESO or Government of Ontario incentive is not eligible, and rental equipment is generally excluded. See our Home Renovation Savings guide and rebates directory, and confirm details on https://saveonenergy.ca (opens in a new tab).

Questions to ask in the interview

1. How many cold-climate heat pumps (or this type of system) have you installed in the past year?
2. Will you do a room-by-room load calculation and measure my duct static pressure?
3. Who will actually do the installation: your employees or subcontractors?
4. What permits are needed, and will you pull them?
5. How will you set up backup heat and thermostat controls?
6. What does commissioning include, and will I get a written record?
7. Can you provide two or three references from recent, similar jobs nearby?
8. What is your labour warranty, and how do you handle service calls in the first year?

Red flags

• Door-to-door approaches. Since 1 March 2018, Ontario's Consumer Protection Act bans unsolicited door-to-door contracts for furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, water treatment devices, duct cleaning and similar products. A contract signed in your home must be one you initiated, and a 10-day cooling-off period applies to direct agreements. See our door-to-door scams guide.
• Claims to be from the government, Save on Energy, Enbridge or your utility. Programs do not send salespeople to your door unannounced.
• Pressure to sign today to get a "special" price or a rebate "before it ends."
• Sizing by looking at the old furnace label or by square footage only.
• Vague quotes without model numbers.
• Large cash deposits or reluctance to provide a written contract.
• Rental or financing contracts that you have not had time to read. Ask about total cost over the term and buyout amounts.

Caution: Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs) registered on home titles by equipment rental and financing companies were a serious problem in Ontario. New legislation banned NOSIs on consumer goods, with protections taking effect in phases. Verify current rules on https://www.ontario.ca (opens in a new tab) and ask any rental company in writing whether anything will be registered against your property.

After the installation

• Get a commissioning report: refrigerant charge, airflow, static pressure, combustion analysis (gas), thermostat settings.
• Get permit and inspection documentation (ESA certificate of inspection for electrical work).
• Register warranties within the manufacturer's deadline, often 60–90 days.
• Confirm the rebate application has been submitted and keep copies of everything.
• Book the first annual service. See our maintenance checklist.

If something goes wrong and the contractor won't resolve it, document everything in writing. Consumer complaints can be filed through Ontario's consumer protection services (see https://www.ontario.ca (opens in a new tab)); safety concerns about gas installations go to TSSA, and electrical concerns go to ESA.

Frequently asked questions

How many quotes should I get?

Two or three is usually enough. More than that often just adds confusion. Make sure each quote is based on a site visit, not a phone call.

Is a bigger, well-known company safer than a small local contractor?

Not necessarily. Many small contractors do excellent work. Licences, references, a clear written quote and a labour warranty matter more than company size.

Do I need a permit for a heat pump or AC install?

Electrical work for new circuits requires an ESA permit, and gas work is regulated by TSSA. Some municipalities have additional requirements for outdoor unit placement. Your contractor should know the rules; get confirmation in writing.

Can a contractor apply for my rebate on my behalf?

For the Home Renovation Savings heat pump route, the participating contractor handles parts of the process, including pre-approval and post-installation documents. You remain responsible for confirming eligibility. Check the current process on https://saveonenergy.ca (opens in a new tab).