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Free referral service for Philadelphia homeowners · not a contractor · not affiliated with the City

Service guide

Furnace, boiler & water heater flues

If your house has gas or oil heat, the chimney may be venting the furnace, boiler or water heater. That flue matters most when you replace the appliance.

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Why the flue matters

L&I’s clearance sheet says chimney and vent rules exist to “ensure proper exhaust to avoid any backdraft that may increase levels of carbon monoxide or reduce the efficiency of a product.” A cracked, blocked or wrongly sized flue can do exactly that.

When you replace an appliance

  • CSIA says adding a new heating appliance or changing fuel type calls for a Level II inspection.
  • HomeGuide lists “converted fireplace needs a different type of liner” and appliance changes among common reasons to reline, and notes aluminum liners are only for gas appliances.
  • L&I lists permit fees for heating appliances: in one- and two-family homes, $69 per warm-air or direct-vent heating apparatus connected to a flue or chimney, $69 per appliance submitted separately, and 2% of contract value (minimum $189) for fuel gas work, plus a $100 filing fee credited toward the permit.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Philadelphia’s Fire Code requires CO alarms in homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage. In existing one- and two-family homes they don’t have to be hardwired or interconnected. See our CO guide.

Broken heater in winter?

Eligible low-income homeowners can call the City-supported Heater Hotline at (215) 568-7190 for free emergency heater repairs. More on programs.

References

  1. L&I: Chimney & vent clearance information sheet, Rev. 4.2025 (PDF)
  2. Chimney Safety Institute of America: Levels of chimney inspection (NFPA 211)
  3. HomeGuide: Chimney liner cost
  4. City of Philadelphia: Get a Mechanical Permit
  5. L&I: Summary of construction permit fees, effective October 1, 2026 (PDF)
  6. L&I: Code Interpretation No. 0801, Carbon monoxide alarms (PDF)
  7. City of Philadelphia: Get emergency home heater repairs (Heater Hotline)

Checked October 30, 2026. Codes, fees, programs and prices change; confirm with the source. Cost figures are published ranges, not quotes.

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Philly Chimney Repair is a free referral service, not a chimney contractor. We pass your request to an independent Philadelphia contractor, who inspects, quotes and does the work.

If you smell gas, leave the house and call PGW at 215-235-1212 from outside. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone feels sick, get everyone outside and call 911. Don’t use this form for emergencies.

Have a chimney question you want a pro to look at?

Tell us your ZIP code, what the chimney serves and what you’re seeing. We pass it to one independent Philadelphia chimney contractor, who contacts you to set up an inspection and a written quote.

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Philly Chimney Repair is a free referral service, not a chimney contractor. We pass your request to an independent Philadelphia contractor, who inspects, quotes and does the work. We are not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia, L&I or PGW. We may be paid by the contractors we refer. Disclosure.