Ontario kitchens and laundry rooms have been running on natural gas for decades, and most of the province’s older housing stock — from Richmond Hill bungalows to Barrie semis to rural Simcoe County farmhouses — was built with gas lines already roughed in. But the rules around who can repair gas appliances are strict, the TSSA licensing system trips up many homeowners when hiring a technician, and the cost math between gas and electric repair is not as simple as it might seem. This guide covers both fuel types honestly: repair costs, safety considerations, TSSA requirements, and when switching from one to the other actually makes sense.
Decision framework
Four questions to compare before deciding.
Use the article together with the documents and appliance details that apply to your situation.
- 1
Who may be responsible?
Review the purchase warranty, extended plan, lease, or rental agreement that applies.
- 2
What is the diagnosed fault?
Symptoms alone do not confirm which part or condition caused the problem.
- 3
What is the complete quote?
Compare parts, labour, access requirements, and any applicable coverage.
- 4
Repair or replace?
Consider age, condition, repeated failures, and the cost of a suitable replacement.
This framework is general information, not legal, warranty, or insurance advice.
Gas vs. Electric Appliances in Ontario — The Landscape
Ontario is split between gas and electric in a way that’s closely tied to geography. Enbridge Gas distributes natural gas across most of southern and central Ontario, including:
- The Greater Toronto Area and all surrounding regions
- Simcoe County (Barrie, Bradford, Innisfil, Collingwood, Angus)
- York Region (Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill, Keswick)
- Much of Grey County and Dufferin County
In rural areas beyond Enbridge’s distribution network — parts of Grey County, Haliburton, and remote Simcoe County — propane is the common alternative to electricity for cooking and heating. Propane appliances require the same TSSA licensing as natural gas, with some additional handling considerations.
New construction in Ontario has been shifting. The provincial government has encouraged electrification through building code updates and green energy incentives, and some newer residential developments in York Region and northern GTA communities are being built without gas roughed-in at all. Induction ranges, heat pump dryers, and all-electric kitchens are increasingly common in builds from 2022 onward.
Despite this trend, gas appliances will remain dominant in the existing Ontario housing stock for at least another two decades — meaning gas appliance repair will continue to be essential infrastructure work across the province.
TSSA Licensing — The Critical Difference for Repair
This is the most important thing Ontario homeowners need to understand before hiring anyone to repair an appliance: the type of fuel determines who is legally permitted to do the repair.
Electric Appliances
Electric appliance repairs — heating elements, control boards, motors, wiring within the appliance — can be performed by a qualified appliance service technician or licensed electrician. There is no TSSA requirement for purely electrical appliance work, though repairs involving hardwired 240V connections to the appliance typically require a licensed electrician and, in some circumstances, an ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) permit.
Gas Appliances — TSSA Mandatory
Any work involving gas supply components requires a TSSA-licensed gas technician. Specifically, under Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 and the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code:
- Gas supply lines to any appliance
- Gas shut-off valves
- Gas orifices on burners or ovens
- Gas valve replacement or adjustment
- Gas dryer burner assemblies
- Any gas pressure regulator work
All of the above require a TSSA Gas Technician Class B licence at minimum (Class A for gas distribution lines). You can verify a contractor’s TSSA licence at tssa.org.
The practical implication: when an Ontario homeowner searches for a “gas stove repair” technician, the first question to ask is whether the technician holds a valid TSSA gas fitting licence. An unlicensed repair on a gas appliance is illegal under Ontario law, voids most home insurance policies, and — in a worst case — can result in a gas leak that isn’t caught because no permit or inspection was triggered.
SureFit technicians hold TSSA gas fitting certification. See our TSSA Gas Appliance Regulations guide for a full breakdown of when TSSA licensing applies.
Gas Appliance Repair Costs in Ontario
Gas appliance repairs generally carry a modest labour premium over equivalent electric repairs — primarily because the technician must hold TSSA certification, which reflects additional training and ongoing licensing costs. Parts costs are broadly similar between gas and electric equivalents, with some exceptions.
Current typical repair costs in Ontario (all prices + HST, reflecting 2025–2026 parts and labour rates in Simcoe County and York Region):
- Gas stove igniter replacement: $130–$220 + HST (spark igniter module plus labour; includes verifying all burner igniters)
- Gas range burner orifice replacement: $80–$140 + HST (per orifice; commonly needed when converting from natural gas to propane or vice versa)
- Gas oven igniter assembly: $120–$180 + HST (glow bar igniter that lights the oven burner; this is one of the most common gas range repairs in Ontario)
- Gas valve replacement (oven or range): $180–$280 + HST (includes TSSA-required gas valve work; parts cost varies significantly by brand)
- Gas dryer igniter replacement: $100–$160 + HST (similar to electric dryer element repair; TSSA required for gas valve components)
- Gas dryer thermal fuse: $80–$130 + HST
For a detailed breakdown of all appliance repair costs, see our Appliance Repair Cost Guide. If your gas stove igniter won’t light at all, see our dedicated guide: Gas Stove Igniter Won’t Light.
Electric Appliance Repair Costs in Ontario
Electric appliance repairs are somewhat more predictable in cost because parts are widely available and there is no TSSA licensing premium on labour. The tradeoff is that some electric appliance failures — particularly control board failures — can be expensive enough to push a repair into “replace instead” territory.
Current typical electric appliance repair costs in Ontario:
- Electric range heating element (bake or broil): $80–$140 + HST (one of the most common and most affordable appliance repairs)
- Electric dryer heating element: $100–$160 + HST (see our full guide: Dryer Not Heating)
- Electric oven control board: $180–$300 + HST (higher-end boards for premium brands like Bosch, Miele, or Wolf can exceed $400 + HST in parts alone)
- Electric range surface element (coil or radiant): $60–$110 + HST
- Induction cooktop element or inverter board: $200–$400 + HST (induction is increasingly common in new Ontario homes; parts are more expensive)
- Electric dryer thermal fuse + cycling thermostat: $80–$130 + HST
The key difference when comparing gas and electric repair costs: gas igniter failures ($120–$180) are roughly comparable in cost to electric heating element failures ($80–$140) — the gap is smaller than most people expect. Where gas repairs get significantly more expensive is when the gas valve itself fails, because valve replacement requires TSSA-certified labour.
Is Gas or Electric Cheaper to Run in Ontario?
Ontario has a relatively complex electricity pricing structure that makes the running cost comparison more nuanced than in most other provinces.
Ontario Electricity Rates (2025–2026)
Ontario Hydro One and most Ontario utilities use Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB):
- Off-peak rate: approximately 8.7 ¢/kWh (evenings after 7pm, weekends, holidays)
- Mid-peak rate: approximately 12.2 ¢/kWh
- On-peak rate: approximately 17.6 ¢/kWh (weekday mornings and afternoons)
Rates are reviewed annually by the OEB. Current rates are available at oeb.ca.
Ontario Natural Gas Rates
Enbridge Gas rates vary by zone and commodity market conditions. In 2025, residential customers in Enbridge’s central Ontario territory have seen commodity rates in the range of $0.40–$0.50 per cubic metre (before delivery and other charges). Gas prices have been highly volatile since 2021–2022 and may shift significantly.
Oven and Range Running Cost Comparison
A typical electric oven running at 2.4 kW for one hour at off-peak rates costs approximately 21 cents. At on-peak rates, the same hour costs approximately 42 cents. A gas oven consuming roughly 0.15 m³/hour costs approximately 6–8 cents per hour at current Enbridge rates — gas is substantially cheaper per cooking hour when natural gas prices are in their normal range.
Dryer running costs tell a similar story. An electric dryer running a full cycle (45 min at ~5 kW) costs 32–66 cents depending on TOU period. A gas dryer running the same cycle costs 10–15 cents in gas consumption plus minimal electricity for the drum motor.
The upshot: for high-use appliances like dryers and ovens, natural gas remains cheaper to operate in Ontario than electric at current rates — particularly for households that can’t consistently shift usage to off-peak hours.
Switching from Gas to Electric in Ontario — What It Involves
With green energy incentives and new all-electric home construction increasing in Ontario, more homeowners are asking whether they can switch their gas range or gas dryer to electric. The answer is yes — but the process is more involved than simply buying a new appliance.
Step 1: Gas Line Capping — TSSA Required
The existing gas supply line to your stove or dryer must be properly capped and decommissioned by a TSSA-licensed gas technician. This is not optional or DIY-able. An improperly capped gas line is a serious safety hazard. The gas shut-off and cap must be inspected and approved before the gas utility will remove the meter (if going fully off-gas).
Step 2: New 240V Electrical Outlet — Licensed Electrician + ESA Permit
A gas range runs on a standard 110V outlet (for the clock and igniter), but an electric range requires a dedicated 240V/50A circuit. An electric dryer similarly requires a 240V/30A circuit. If your home’s gas range location doesn’t have a 240V outlet, you’ll need:
- A licensed electrician to run new wiring from the electrical panel
- An ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) permit for the new circuit
- ESA inspection and sign-off before using the new outlet
Typical cost in Ontario for adding a 240V range outlet with panel upgrade: $400–$900 + HST depending on distance and panel capacity. This cost is on top of the new appliance purchase.
The Total Cost of Switching
Switching from a gas range to electric in a typical Ontario home (gas line cap + 240V outlet install + new range) costs $600–$1,500 + HST in installation work before the appliance price. This is why most Ontario homeowners replace a gas appliance with another gas appliance rather than switching fuel types — the economics rarely justify it unless the home is already being renovated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert a gas stove to electric in Ontario?
Yes, but it requires two separate licensed trades: a TSSA-certified gas technician to cap and decommission the gas line, and a licensed electrician to install a new 240V/50A circuit with an ESA permit. You cannot simply plug an electric range into a standard 110V outlet — the electrical draw would trip the breaker or, worse, start a fire. The total cost of switching including labour, permits, and outlet installation typically ranges from $600–$1,500 + HST, not including the new appliance. It’s technically straightforward but not inexpensive.
Does gas appliance repair cost more than electric in Ontario?
For most common repairs, the cost difference is modest. Gas oven igniter replacement ($120–$180 + HST) is in the same range as an electric heating element replacement ($80–$140 + HST). The premium for gas repairs mainly reflects TSSA-certified labour on gas-specific components. Where gas repairs get substantially more expensive is gas valve replacement ($180–$280 + HST), which has no direct electric equivalent. Overall, expect gas repairs to run 10–25% more than similar electric repairs due to the TSSA licensing requirement on labour.
Is a TSSA licence required to replace a gas dryer igniter in Ontario?
It depends on which component is being replaced. The igniter itself (the glowbar or sparker element) is an electrical component and does not require TSSA certification to replace — it connects to the dryer’s wiring, not to the gas line. However, if the repair also involves the gas valve, gas supply tubing within the appliance, or any gas orifice, then TSSA certification is required. In practice, a skilled appliance technician can replace a dryer igniter without touching gas components. But if the technician discovers the gas valve needs replacement during the repair, only a TSSA-certified tech can legally complete that portion of the work. SureFit technicians are TSSA certified for gas and propane appliance work and can diagnose both components before confirming the repair plan.
Book Your Gas or Electric Appliance Repair
SureFit is TSSA certified for all gas appliance work and serves homes across Barrie, Newmarket, Bradford, Innisfil, Collingwood, Keswick, and all of Simcoe County and York Region. Whether your gas range igniter has stopped lighting or your electric dryer element is weak, our technicians diagnose and repair both fuel types with a 90-day parts and labour warranty on every job.
Call (647) 977-2626 or book online. Service call is $85 + HST per appliance, waived when you approve the repair.
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