Red Tagged? Find Out What It Actually Takes to Clear It.
A red tag means a gas appliance was found unsafe and shut off. Only a certified gas technician can correct the defect and return the appliance to service. ThermalOps is a TSSA-certified G1 gas technician serving the Greater Toronto Area: we read your tag, tell you exactly what you were tagged for, fix what is in scope on site, and manage the specialist when it is not.
We're the first ones on site. A TSSA-certified G1 gas technician reads your tag, tells you straight what you were tagged for, and fixes it on the spot when we can. When it needs a specialist, we bring in the right one and manage it until the tag is cleared.
Anthony — TSSA-Certified G1 Gas Technician
TSSA G1 licence #TBD · 15+ years in gas and mechanical trades · Service area: Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
Last updated: 2026-08-03
First On Site
- 01
We come out and read the tag.
Type A or Type B, what section of code, what the technician actually flagged. Most homeowners are never told this clearly.
- 02
We tell you if it's fixable today.
A lot of red tags are — spillage, venting, a failed pilot or thermocouple, a missing shut-off, improper clearance. If it's gas-side and it's in scope, we fix it and clear it.
- 03
If it isn't, we bring in the right trade.
We work with a small group of contractors we trust — HVAC replacement, refrigeration, electrical, chimney. We coordinate it and stay on it until your appliance is back in service.
What Your Tag Means
Type A
Immediate hazard. Appliance shut off and the gas locked. It can't be used again until a certified technician corrects the issue.
Type B
Non-immediate hazard. You've been given a deadline to correct it. Miss it and it escalates.
Either way, only a certified gas technician can legally clear it. That's where we start.
Common Reasons People Get Tagged
- Flue gas spillageOften fixable same day
- Blocked or improper ventingOften fixable same day
- Failed pilot or thermocoupleOften fixable same day
- Missing or improper gas shut-off valveOften fixable same day
- Gas leak at a joint or connectionOften fixable same day
- Improper appliance clearanceOften fixable same day
- Cracked heat exchangerUsually needs replacement
- Unsafe or non-code installationDepends on scope
- Chimney or liner failureUsually needs a specialist
If your unit is past end of life, we'll tell you that instead of selling you a repair that won't hold.
Send Us Your Tag. Get a Straight Answer.
Photograph the tag and the appliance. We'll tell you what you're looking at before anyone comes out.
Who We Work With
Homeowners
No heat, no hot water, gas off.
Landlords & Property Managers
You're legally required to restore heat fast.
Realtors & Real Estate Lawyers
A red tag holds up your closing. We clear it and provide documentation.
Email about a closingHome Inspectors & HVAC Techs
Found a tag you don't service? We'll take it. Referral arrangements available.
Send a referralProcess
- 01
Call or send a photo
- 02
We diagnose and quote
- 03
Certified repair
- 04
Tag cleared, appliance back in service, paperwork provided
Red tag questions, answered
What does a red tag on a furnace mean in Ontario?
A red tag means a gas technician or utility inspector found the furnace unsafe under CSA B149.1 and took it out of service. The tag states the defect and its type. The furnace stays off until a certified gas technician corrects the defect, tests the appliance, and returns it to service.
What's the difference between a Type A and Type B red tag?
A Type A tag is an immediate hazard: the appliance is shut off on the spot and the gas may be locked at the meter. A Type B tag is a non-immediate hazard, so the appliance can often keep running while you correct the defect within the deadline written on the tag.
Who can legally remove a red tag?
Only a certified gas technician can clear a red tag, after correcting the defect and testing the appliance. Homeowners, general contractors, electricians and handymen cannot. G2 certification covers appliances up to 400,000 BTU/h input; G1 certification covers any input rating, including commercial equipment.
How long does it take to get a red tag cleared?
Most correctable defects — venting, vent connectors, piping joints, valves, clearances, combustion air — are cleared in a single visit and the appliance goes back into service that day. Parts on order or a chimney liner add days. A locked meter needs the utility to re-attend before restart.
How much does it cost to clear a red tag?
Cost depends on the defect. Small corrections like a thermocouple, valve or vent connector sit at the low end. Chimney liners and venting rebuilds sit in the middle. A cracked heat exchanger usually means replacing the appliance, which is the top of the range. See the cost page for current figures.
Can I turn my own gas back on after a red tag?
No. Restoring gas to a tagged appliance yourself is unlawful in Ontario and voids insurance coverage if something goes wrong. If the utility locked the meter, only the utility can unlock it. The appliance itself must be corrected and returned to service by a certified gas technician.
Does a red tag mean I need a new furnace?
No. Replacement is only required when the defect cannot be corrected, and in practice that is almost always a cracked or failed heat exchanger. Venting, spillage, gas piping, control and clearance defects are corrected on the existing appliance and the furnace goes back into service.
Can a red tag stop a house sale from closing?
It can. Lenders and lawyers usually want proof that heat and hot water work before funds move. A tag found at inspection is typically handled with a holdback or a signed correction record from a certified gas technician. Clearing it quickly is what keeps the closing date intact.
Is a landlord required to fix a red tag?
In Ontario a landlord is responsible for maintaining a rental in a good state of repair, which includes heat and hot water. A red tagged furnace or water heater falls to the landlord to correct, not the tenant. This is general information, not legal advice.
What happens if I ignore a Type B red tag?
The deadline on the tag passes and the hazard remains. The utility or an inspector can return, escalate the tag to Type A, and lock the meter. Insurers can also treat a known uncorrected gas defect as grounds to deny a claim. Correcting it before the deadline is cheaper.
Red tag services
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