To use your heater safely, whether it's central heating or a supplementary heat source, we recommend you take certain precautions.
Solid fuel
On April 27, 2009, the city adopted a by-law to protect air quality. Here is an overview:
- Installing any appliance or fireplace that burns solid fuel is now prohibited.
- However, EPA ou CAN/CSA-B415.1 certified wood pellet burning stoves are authorized.
- Gas and electric fireplaces are also authorized.
- Existing appliances and fireplaces can continue to be used. However, if you replace them, only an appliance that is compliant with the by-law can be installed.
Tips:
- Apply for a permit before installing your appliance.
- Notify your insurer.
- Install the appliance according to the manufacturer's instructions and the Québec Building Code.
- Put ashes in a metal container with a raised bottom and store the container outdoors, away from flammable materials.
- The chimney needs to be swept after every two cords of wood burned, or when there is more than 3 mm of creosote on the walls.
- Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Please note that installing a smoke alarm is not optional – it is required. All owners are responsible for installing smoke alarms in the locations set out in the by-law.
Central heating
We recommend the following precautions for using central heating safely.
Tips:
- Leave one metre of space around furnaces and 10 cm around electrical baseboards.
- Make sure your heating unit and ducts are inspected each year.
- If you have a gas heater, call 911 if there is a gas leak.
Auxiliary heating
Auxiliary heating units (small heaters connected to an electrical outlet) must be used with caution.
Tips:
- Never leave your auxiliary heating unit on while unattended.
- Leave one metre of space around the unit.
- Do not use your auxiliary heating unit as a permanent heat source.
- Do not use an extension cord.
- Always use ULC or CSA certified appliances.