Is a furnace with no heat an emergency?
In cold weather, yes. Beyond comfort, a cold house can freeze pipes: the City of Toronto says pipes are most likely to freeze along exterior walls and where the water service enters through the foundation (City of Toronto). Call (416) 888-1371. If you rent, tell your landlord first: Toronto's rule is a minimum of 21°C from October 1 to May 15, in the rental heat guide.
If a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, that comes before everything: get everyone out and call 911 from outside, as the alarm guide explains.
What will the request form ask about the furnace?
Three questions, all optional, and the most useful photo is the label inside the furnace door.
| Question | The choices |
|---|---|
| What heats the home? | Furnace · Boiler (radiators or floor) · Not sure |
| How old is it? | Under 5 years · 5 to 10 years · Over 10 years · Not sure |
| What is it doing? | Not coming on · Some rooms cold · Blinking light or code · Noisy |
Photos that help. The most useful are the label inside the furnace or boiler door, and any blinking light or code.
How is a gas furnace connected?
The drawing shows what a furnace call checks: supply air out the top into the ducts, return air back in through the filter, the intake and exhaust pipes, the gas line with its shutoff and drip leg, and the condensate line from a high efficiency furnace. Many furnaces list what their blinking light means on a label inside the door, which is why a photo of the label and the light helps.
Who can service a furnace in Ontario?
The TSSA says that under Ontario law, maintenance of furnaces and fuel-fired appliances must be performed by TSSA-registered contractors, who must hire TSSA-certified gas technicians (TSSA). The Government of Ontario also asks owners to have fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents cleaned and inspected by professionals every year (Government of Ontario).
Does a furnace replacement need a permit in Toronto?
Yes. Toronto Building lists a furnace or boiler replacement in a single-family house as a stand-alone HVAC permit at $214.79 flat in 2026 (City of Toronto). The other fees are in the permits guide. Jackman Mechanical prices each job directly with you; no prices for the work itself are published on this site.