What Does it Mean if my Furnace gets Red Tagged?

What is a Red Tag?

A red tag is a warning that may be attached to a gas-fired appliance by a licensed gas technician. It means that the equipment requires attention in order to ensure safe operation.

In some cases, the technician will be lawfully required to shut the gas off until the issue is remedied and the appliance is safe to operate again.

Are All Red Tags the Same?

There are “A” Red Tags and “B” Red Tags.

“A” Tags are used for immediate hazards, meaning the gas must be shut off and the issue requires immediate attention. The person issuing the tag is responsible for notifying the utility company to have the gas turned off.

“B” Tags are used for all other unsafe circumstances, meaning the gas can remain on and the appliance can continue running. However, you will only have 30 days (or another specified timeline) to have the appliance repaired before the utility company can shut off your gas.

My Appliance Has Been Red Tagged. What Should I Do?

You must have the Red Tag removed in order to ensure your gas is turned back on (when the appliance has an “A” Tag Warning) or to ensure that your gas does not get turned off (when the appliance has a “B” Tag Warning).

To have a Red Tag removed, it must first be inspected and verified as remedied, and therefore safe, by an Enbridge Licensed Technician or a Certified TSSA Gas Technician. If your furnace or appliance has been Red Tagged, give us a call and one of our Certified TSSA Gas Technicians will be happy to inspect it for you.

Which Appliances Can Get Red Tagged?

Any gas-fired appliance can be tagged. This may include:

· Boilers

· Furnaces

· Fireplaces

· Stoves

· Hot Water Tanks and Water Heaters

· Air Handlers

· Commercial Rooftop Units

Is it Really Necessary for the Gas to be Shut Off?

You may be thinking: “The furnace has been running fine until now and we haven’t had any noticeable issues. Is it really necessary to go through all the trouble to have it repaired or replaced?”

The short answer is: Yes.

Red Tags are used to ensure your safety. Although it may not have caused a substantial or noticeable issue yet, it could compromise your safety in the future if not properly attended to. For example, a cracked heat exchanger has the potential to release carbon monoxide into the home. Carbon monoxide is both odourless and colourless and can be detrimental to your health if not detected.

This is why Red Tags require a Certified TSSA Gas Technician to verify that the problem has been dealt with. Often times, this can be solved with a repair, but in more serious circumstances, the furnace (or other appliance) itself may need to be replaced.

Our experienced, certified technicians will thoroughly assess the situation and determine what the safest course of action is for you. Contact us today with any questions or concerns, and we will be happy to discuss your options with you.

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