Door-to-Door Energy Scams in Ontario: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself

For years, Ontario has been a hotspot for aggressive door-to-door sales of home energy equipment. Salespeople posing as utility inspectors or "government program" representatives have signed homeowners into expensive rental contracts for furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and water treatment systems. Some of those contracts came with liens registered against homes.

Ontario has introduced strong protections, but misleading sales still happen, and tactics change as rebate programs get attention. This guide explains your rights, the red flags, and what to do if you have been targeted.

The door-to-door ban

Since 1 March 2018, Ontario's Consumer Protection Act has banned businesses from entering into unsolicited door-to-door contracts for certain household products, including:

Furnaces
Air conditioners
Water heaters
Water treatment devices (softeners, filters)
Duct cleaning services
Certain other products, and bundles combining them

A business can only enter such a contract in your home if you contacted them first for that purpose. A salesperson cannot knock on your door, or call to arrange a visit you did not request, and then sign you up. Contracts that do not follow the rules may be void, and you may be able to keep the goods without paying. Rules and exceptions can be detailed, so verify the current version on ontario.ca.

Note: The ban covers specific products. Solar panels, windows, doors, insulation and other upgrades may still be sold door-to-door, though general consumer protections such as the cooling-off period still apply. Treat all unsolicited home visits with care.

Who does not come to your door

Organization	Will they knock to sell or rent you equipment?
Enbridge Gas	No. Enbridge may send meter readers or technicians, with identification, but not to sell equipment.
Your local electricity utility (Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, Alectra, etc.)	No.
Save on Energy / IESO	No. Programs are applied for through official channels; in-home assessments are booked at your request.
Ontario Energy Board	No.
Government of Ontario or Government of Canada	No.
TSSA or ESA	They do not sell equipment. Inspections are arranged through permits or after incidents.

If someone says they are "from the gas company", "from the government rebate program" or "here to check your water heater", ask for identification, do not let them in, and call the organization directly using the number on your bill or official website.

Common tactics to watch for

Tactic	What it sounds like	Reality
False authority	"We're with the energy program and need to inspect your furnace."	Programs do not send uninvited inspectors.
Safety scare	"Your water heater is unsafe; it needs replacing today."	A genuine hazard would be dealt with by a licensed technician, and you can get a second opinion.
Free upgrade	"You qualify for a free furnace under a government program."	Free upgrades are delivered through income-qualified programs you apply for, not by doorstep sales.
Rebate pressure	"The rebate ends this week; sign now."	Legitimate deadlines exist, but you can always confirm on saveonenergy.ca first.
Bill comparison	"Show me your bill and I'll lower your rate."	Your bill contains your account number, which can be misused.
Rental disguised as purchase	Monthly payments with a long term and buyout schedule.	Read whether you are buying, renting or financing.
Solar savings overpromise	"Solar will eliminate your hydro bill and the rebate covers it."	Check the HRS solar rebate trade-off: rebated systems cannot use net metering.

Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs)

For years, some rental and financing companies registered Notices of Security Interest on homeowners' land titles for equipment like furnaces and water heaters. Homeowners often discovered them only when selling or refinancing, and some were pressured to pay large sums to have them removed.

Ontario passed legislation in 2023–24 (the Strengthening Protections for Ontario Consumers Act) that moved to ban NOSIs on consumer goods such as household energy equipment, with protections taking effect in phases. If you find a NOSI on your title, check ontario.ca for the current process for removing it, and consider speaking with a real estate lawyer.

Your cancellation rights

10-day cooling-off period: For direct agreements (contracts made in your home or away from the seller's place of business), you generally have 10 days after receiving a written copy of the contract to cancel for any reason.
Cancellation must be in writing. Keep proof of how and when you sent it (registered mail, email, fax).
Longer rights in some cases: If the contract does not meet legal requirements, or the seller made false or misleading representations, you may have up to a year to cancel.
Getting money back: After cancellation, the business is required to refund payments within a set period, and you may need to make the goods available for pickup.

These are general summaries; confirm details and timelines on ontario.ca.

What to do if you have been targeted

Do not sign anything at the door. Ask for written information and take time to read it.
If you already signed, read the contract to confirm whether it falls under the door-to-door ban and when your cooling-off period ends.
Cancel in writing if you want out, and keep a copy.
Do not let installers in if you have cancelled.
Check your property title if you are concerned about a NOSI or lien.
File a complaint with Ontario's consumer protection office through ontario.ca.
If you suspect fraud or identity theft, contact your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Tip: Put a "No soliciting" sign on your door and a note by your phone that says: "I do not sign anything at the door. I will call the company myself."

Hiring a legitimate contractor

You start the process, not the salesperson. A good contractor will:

Provide a written quote with model numbers and full pricing.
Hold proper credentials: TSSA registration and licensed G2 or G1 gas technicians for gas work, ODP certification for refrigerant, ESA permits for electrical and solar work. HRAI membership is a useful signal for HVAC firms.
Confirm participation in rebate programs you can verify on saveonenergy.ca.
Give you time to compare quotes.

See our guides to choosing an HVAC contractor and choosing a solar installer.

Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal for a company to knock on my door at all?

No. Door-to-door canvassing itself is not banned. What is banned is entering into a contract in your home for the listed products without you having initiated contact. Salespeople can still knock to promote or arrange appointments in some situations, so be cautious.

What if a salesperson claims to be from Enbridge?

Ask for identification, do not let them in, and call Enbridge Gas using the number on your bill. Enbridge does not sell or rent water heaters or furnaces door to door.

Do these rules apply to tenants?

The protections apply to consumers generally. Tenants should never sign contracts for building equipment; that is the landlord's responsibility.

Where can I check if a business has complaints against it?

Ontario's Consumer Beware List, available on ontario.ca, shows businesses with complaints or charges under consumer protection laws.