Who inspects gas and oil appliances in New Brunswick?

In New Brunswick, gas appliance inspections are handled by the Department of Justice and Public Safety — Technical Inspection Services (TIS), while oil-fired appliances fall under a slightly different framework depending on the work being done.

TIS is the province-wide authority for all gas installations — natural gas, propane, and compressed gas systems. Any gas fitter working in NB must hold a licence issued by TIS, and all gas installations require a permit and inspection before the appliance is put into service. This applies to furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, water heaters, generators, BBQ lines, and any other gas-connected equipment. You can reach TIS at 1-888-659-3222 (Monday–Friday, 8:15am–4:30pm) or by email at TISFTN@gnb.ca.

For oil-fired appliances, the situation is a bit different. Oil furnaces, boilers, and water heaters don't require the same TIS gas permit process — oil is not a pressurized gas system. However, the installation of oil-fired heating equipment should still be done by a qualified heating technician, and if any fuel oil piping or tank work is involved, there are environmental regulations to consider. Oil tank decommissioning (especially underground tanks) is a regulated process that can run $2,500–$8,000+ and requires a licensed contractor.

It's worth noting that many New Brunswick homeowners are currently making the switch from oil heat to cold-climate heat pumps — a smart move given NB's winters that regularly dip to -25°C or colder. A properly sized heat pump rated to -25°C or below, paired with backup electric baseboards or a retained oil furnace, is the recommended approach for most NB homes.

If you're having a new gas appliance installed — say, a propane fireplace insert or a natural gas furnace — here's how the process works in practice: a licensed gas fitter pulls the installation permit through TIS, does the work, and then TIS conducts the inspection before the appliance is commissioned. Don't let any contractor skip that inspection step — it's a safety and insurance requirement, not just a formality.

For finding a licensed heating contractor in your area, browse the New Brunswick Construction Network directory to connect with local trades across the province.