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Heating and cooling emergencies in St. Catharines–Niagara

Heating contractors and plumbers for breakdowns.

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In December 2022, Niagara Region declared a state of emergency during a record-breaking winter storm. Canadian Niagara Power reported 14,000 customers without power on Christmas Eve, and 9,600 were still out on the afternoon of Dec. 25. The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority also issued a flood warning for the Lake Erie area, with gusts expected at 100 to 120 km per hour. For a furnace, heat pump or boiler, that kind of event means a long outage in the coldest week of the year, and a risk of frozen pipes once the heat stops. When you hire, ask whether the person is qualified for the equipment in question, whether a permit is needed for any replacement or gas work, and what the quote covers in writing. If the outage is caused by a downed line, Niagara Peninsula Energy advises staying back 10 metres from it and from any tree touching it. Keep that distance before anyone starts work outside, and wait for the utility to clear the hazard.

Source: CHCH News (source, opens in a new tab)

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What to know in St. Catharines–Niagara

  • During the December 2022 storm, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority issued a flood warning for the Lake Erie area, with wind gusts expected at 100 to 120 km per hour. Thousands of Niagara residents lost power.

    CBC News (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. Have fuel-burning appliances such as a furnace or boiler inspected by a professional at least once a year.

    Source: canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in St. Catharines–Niagara

What should a quote for an emergency furnace or boiler repair include?

Ask for the work in writing: the fault found, the parts to be replaced, labour, any call-out or after-hours charge, and whether the repair carries a warranty. Ask whether the price changes if more damage turns up. A clear quote lets you compare it with another one.

Who may work on a gas furnace or a boiler?

Gas and heating equipment work calls for a person qualified for that equipment. Ask to see their licence or certification before work starts, and ask whether the job needs a permit. A replacement, as opposed to a small repair, is more likely to need one. Confirm this with your municipality.

Why does a Niagara storm make heating emergencies more likely?

In the December 2022 storm, Niagara Region declared a state of emergency, and Canadian Niagara Power reported 14,000 customers without power on Christmas Eve. A long outage can stop your heat and leave pipes exposed to freezing, so a call may come when many households need help at once. CHCH News (source, opens in a new tab)

What should I do if a downed powerline is near my home during an outage?

Niagara Peninsula Energy advises staying back 10 metres from a downed powerline and away from any trees in contact with one. Do not let a repair visit start near it. Call the utility, and wait until the hazard is cleared before anyone works outside. Niagara Peninsula Energy (source, opens in a new tab)

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