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Natural gas appliance safety—what to know

Ensuring that your natural gas appliances are inspected and maintained is essential to keeping your home safe from natural gas leaks as well as the dangerous production and accumulation of carbon monoxide.

Download our guide below to learn more about natural gas appliance inspections, safety and more.

Enbridge Gas does not sell or repair furnaces, boilers or fireplaces. Contact a Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) or Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) contractor to learn more about installing natural gas appliances.

Natural gas appliances safety tips

  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions and ensure that items are not stored too close to appliances.
  • Always provide gas appliances with an adequate air supply.
  • Make sure that appliance venting systems terminate outdoors and are not cracked, corroded or blocked.

While conducting an inspection, your TSSA-registered HVAC contractor will look for the items mentioned above, ensuring potentially hazardous situations are controlled. When removing a gas appliance, they’ll ensure the gas appliance supply line valve is off and the pipe has been capped.

Want a safer home? Follow these pointers.

Furnace safety

The most popular choice for home heating in Ontario? High-efficiency, forced air gas furnaces. Do the following to keep yours running safely and smoothly:

  • Give your furnace a checkup: Schedule a yearly furnace inspection with a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor.
  • Replace your filter regularly: Change or clean your filter at least every three months—a dirty filter will restrict airflow, forcing the furnace to work harder and increase your natural gas use.

Boiler safety

Use these tips to keep your boiler running safely:

  • Annual service visit: Keep your boiler in good condition with an annual service visit from a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor.
  • Venting system: Regularly inspect your vents, chimney and exhaust for secure connections, obstructions, blockages, damage, carbon buildup and any discolouration.
  • Radiator: Regularly inspect your draft hood, vent termination and access doors for discolouration or carbon buildup, which may indicate improper combustion or downdraft.
  • Valves: Regularly check your temperature and pressure relief valves to make sure they're operational and not seized up.

Fireplace safety

A natural gas fireplace gives you all the cosy warmth and comfort of a traditional fireplace—without the hassles and hazards of a wood fire. Plus, it may still work if your electricity service is interrupted.

Follow these Enbridge Gas fireplace maintenance tips:

  • Maintain your fireplace. Keep your fireplace in good operating condition with an annual service visit from a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor.
  • Don’t put flammable materials near your fireplace.
  • If the pilot light or flame goes out, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for relighting.
  • Never use a fireplace with cracked glass. If your fireplace has cracked glass, have it inspected or replaced by a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor.
  • Ensure that your chimney is operating safely. Have your chimney inspected every year by a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor. Regularly check your chimney for blockages.

Water heating safety

Keep your family safe and your water heater working efficiently by following these tips:

  • Schedule regular maintenance check ups with a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor.
  • Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions for operating and maintenance procedures.
  • Don't let dust, lint or dirt block the air intakes at the bottom of your tank.
  • Only use insulation blankets and commercial pipe wraps that are approved for gas water heaters in the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Regularly check your temperature and pressure relief valves to make sure they're operational and not seized up.

Cooking with gas

How often should a gas stove be serviced? Can you use your burner without using a ventilation fan? Stay safe when cooking on your natural gas stove and follow these simple tips:

  • Always read your owner’s manual.
  • Keep the burners and interior of your oven clean.
  • Schedule maintenance annually.
  • Never use your stove or oven if the ignition switch isn’t working or is making unusual noises.
  • Never use your burners without using your ventilation fan.
  • Clean spills so they don’t clog pilot lights and outlets.
  • Don't line your oven with aluminum foil, it can block an air vent or interfere with circulation.
  • Never use your stove or oven to heat your indoor air space.
  • Yellow burner flames could cause excessive carbon that can lead to the production of carbon monoxide. Shut off your stove and call a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor for a gas stove inspection.
  • Consider guards to keep your children and pets safe.

Barbecue safety

Who doesn’t love cooking outdoors on a natural gas barbecue? Follow these tips for safe grilling:

  • Schedule regular maintenance check ups with a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor.
  • Use long-handled barbecue tools and heat-proof mitts.
  • Don’t wear loose clothing. Watch out for apron strings or other loose fabric.
  • Never leave children or pets alone near a hot grill.
  • Never smoke or light a match while checking gas connections, and be sure to turn off the natural gas supply.
  • Never use a barbecue inside—it should be outdoors, on level ground, out of the wind and away from combustible materials.