Heat Pump Scam Alert in Montreal: Consumers Left in the Cold by Unlicensed Contractors

Montreal, QC — July 2025 A growing number of Montreal residents are falling victim to a disturbing HVAC and heat pump installation scam — one that leaves homes unfinished, wallets drained, and consumers furious.

Behind glossy ads on Facebook Marketplace, cheap quotes from friendly salespeople, and promises of energy efficiency, a darker reality is unfolding. Unlicensed operators are masquerading as legitimate contractors, using fake or borrowed RBQ license numbers, and vanishing after delivering faulty installations or inflating final invoices.

“They Just Disappear After Getting Paid”

One of the most notorious recent cases involves “Soumission Climatisation” (9434‑6517 Québec inc.), whose owner was banned by the RBQ after using a fake license and defrauding clients across Repentigny and Greater Montreal.

“They sold us all a real sweet deal and seemed like just another provider,” one Facebook user commented in a group dedicated to thermopump support. “Now I’m stuck with a half-installed system, no warranty, and no way to contact them.”

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) has blacklisted several of these operators, but the damage is often already done by the time action is taken.

A Citywide Problem

Legitimate HVAC professionals in the region are witnessing this crisis firsthand.

“We’re getting more and more calls from people all around Montreal who are devastated. They trusted someone who looked legit, but the work wasn’t done properly — or worse, wasn’t done at all,” says François Lalonde, owner of EcoConversions (RBQ# 5767-7007-01), a licensed electric heating conversion and HVAC service provider  based in Montreal.

“They’ve filed complaints to the RBQ, but many feel the system isn’t protecting them quickly enough. It’s heartbreaking.”

François adds, “People are calling us not just to fix the mess — but for peace of mind.”

How the Scam Works

1. Online ads or flyers with aggressive low pricing.

   
   

2. Borrowed or falsified RBQ license numbers displayed to gain trust.

   
   

3. Verbal-only agreements — no written quotes or proper invoices.

   
   

4. Upfront payments demanded, sometimes under the guise of “equipment ordering.”

   
   

5. Faulty or incomplete work, with no recourse or follow-up.

   
   

How to Protect Yourself

Before hiring any HVAC or thermopump company, take these steps:

✅ Verify their RBQ licence at rbq.gouv.qc.ca.✅ Ask for a detailed quote and a written contract — never accept verbal-only pricing.✅ Refuse to pay in full upfront — legitimate companies offer staged payments.✅ Check reviews and complaints online, especially on Reddit, Facebook, and Google.✅ Call the RBQ at 1-800-361-0761 if you suspect fraud or misuse of a license number.

A Call for Stronger Oversight

While the RBQ has blacklisted several bad actors, many consumers and industry professionals believe more proactive enforcement is needed. Cases of fraud continue to surface, and the response time is often too slow to prevent new victims.

Final Word

Be wary of contractors who offer low prices upfront — many of these scams begin with a deal that sounds great, but end with surprise charges, poor workmanship, or no work at all. In Montreal’s growing HVAC market, hiring a certified, RBQ-licensed professional isn’t just a precaution — it’s protection. What looks like savings today could turn into a costly mistake tomorrow.

For trusted, RBQ-licensed HVAC services, contact professionals like EcoConversions and always do your homework.

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