Certified HVAC Design: Adhering to Building Code Requirements & HRAI Guidelines for HVAC Design in Ontario
PH: 905.658.6452
Residential HVAC Design for Residential Construction
HVAC system designs involve detailed calculations based on several key factors of the home's construction and environment.
System specifications are determined by the following:
Distribution Design (Duct/Radiant, Layouts)
Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary (MVDS)
Ontario Schedule 1 Form.
Heating Load Calcs are what will it take to heat & cool my house, during the warmest and coldest expected days of the year.
The Distribution Design shows where the equipment will be placed and where environmental conditioning will be introduced and in what capacity.
Some projects may require additional documentation such as: Duct Design Detail Drawings, Mechanical Ventilation Design Details and HVAC System Notes; for Building Permit submission.
Designs are produced from PDF or DWG files of your Architectural Plans. Plans should be the final issued for construction versions (Any updates should be forwarded along at your earliest available opportunity).
What is needed to complete an HVAC Design for New Construction in Ontario?
To complete HVAC Designs and Drawings, clients are required to provide the following
Site Plan or North Arrow
Saltzberry Design Submission Form
Architectural Drawings should ideally be detailed, complete and drafted to scale. They should include all window and door sizes, ceiling heights of all rooms and building assemblies and insulation values. Drawings should be well labelled and suitable for issuance of building permit. Ideal Conditions: Fully Scaled and Dimensioned drawings, with all assemblies clearly denoted in pdf. Minimum Requirements: Clear Legible Drawings in jpeg or png.
Quick Tip: Test the suitability of your "scanned" drawings by zooming in all the way, are your notes and numbers readable? Are the drawings legible?
Design Intent: You should have a general idea of how you'd like your system to function. At a minimum you must be able to provide the intended location of the system, and its' type. We need a starting point. Designs can change and we're happy to help if your having issues as to where to start.
Project Information: You should be able to provide the Lot/Address, Street and Municipality for the intended build. Orientation of the building's front door to North and the available fuel sources that will be provided to run the HVAC Equipment.
When designing your home's heating and cooling system, there are several factors to consider. As your HVAC designer, let me walk you through the key components and options. My goal is to help you select a solution optimized for your specific needs, budget and home.
System Types: Central or Zoned Heating
Both small and large homes may experience varying heating needs across different areas. While a central system offers simple, whole-home climate control, zoning allows customized comfort.
Zoned heating divides the home into separate temperature-controlled spaces. This can maximize efficiency if certain rooms are unused. Even smaller floor plans may see zoning benefits if, for example, a basement suite needs independent control.
Alternatively, central HVAC provides consistent warming or cooling throughout. It works well for compact, rectangular designs with consistently-occupied rooms. Ductwork installation may also be simpler.
Factors like your specific house layout, occupancy patterns, and insulation levels will determine the best choice. We'll assess these specifics to recommend whether central or zoned is more suitable for your needs and budget. The right system sets you up for long-term indoor comfort.
Available Equipment and Utilities
Equipment choices depend on utilities available like natural gas, propane or electric. Options include: high-efficiency furnaces, boilers and heat pumps are some top choices. They work hard to save energy and money in the long run. Look to select models that take full advantage of what utilities you have onsite. It's important to select SB-12 compliant equipment tailored to your climate and indoor comfort needs.
Independently Ducted HRV or Simplified Connection?
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) introduces fresh air into the home while recovering heat (or cooling) from exhaust air. An independently ducted HRV has dedicated ducting, while a simplified setup uses central ducting. Space and budget requirements help determine the best ventilation strategy.
Learn More about: HRV's
Budget and Operating Costs
Upfront installation costs vary significantly based on the design. But energy-efficient equipment, insulation and a tight home saves on utility bills long-term. Your HVAC designer can help evaluate options to meet budget while optimizing performance and comfort. These factors with contribute greatly to system selection. The use of additional equipment, integration and zoning increases the complexity of your system and upfront costs.
Contact us to discuss your project specifics and get started with a customized HVAC design.
905-658-6452.
Other Considerations in New House HVAC Design
Sustainability in New Home HVAC
According to Natural Resources Canada, residential HVAC accounts for 22% of household energy consumption in Canada, representing significant carbon emissions annually. By implementing energy-efficient design best practices, the average home can reduce its HVAC-related carbon footprint by up to 50%.
One of the best practices is to select high-efficiency appliances labeled ENERGY STAR certified or CMHC Energuide. These labels indicate that the appliances meet or exceed the minimum energy performance standards set by the Government of Canada. On average, these appliances use 15-30% less energy than standard models. For example, new super-condensing gas furnaces can extract over 95% heat from combustion, slashing emissions by 10-20 T CO2e compared to 80% standard units.
Another best practice is to ensure proper insulation for the home. This can dramatically cut emissions by reducing heating and cooling loads up to 40%. Natural Resources Canada recommends air sealing and R-values of R-40/+ for optimal performance. This lowers fuel usage and associated GHGs. Homes meeting Passive House standards are even more stringent, requiring R-values of R-60/+ and achieving 90% lower HVAC-related emissions than code-minimum builds .
A third best practice is to use zoning and intelligent controls for the HVAC system. This can enable further 10-15% reductions in energy use and emissions. Programmable and WiFi thermostats can ensure precision operation only as needed versus continuous runtime. Heat recovery ventilators can capture 60-80% exhaust air heat versus simple ventilation.
A long-term best practice is to electrify the HVAC system with clean alternatives. Air-source heat pumps can provide three-times the heating energy efficiency of natural gas. When paired with renewables, geothermal installs can yield zero direct HVAC emissions.
With these evidence-based techniques, Canadian households can collectively remove over 5 megatons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually by 2030 - equivalent to powering over 1 million homes. Sustainable design strengthens climate resiliency while future-proofing homeowners’ investments and indoor comfort.
How to Choose the Right HVAC Designer for Your Project in Ontario
To design HVAC systems in Ontario, you need to be licensed. You may be a licensed engineer or have a BCIN number and qualifications in: HVAC House or Building Services, and General Legal Process. You also need to be certified by HRAI.
Some BCIN designers may have more qualifications in other areas of the building code, such as House or Small Buildings.
How long does it take for HVAC Design for New Construction to be completed?
Saltzberry Design can deliver most HVAC design projects, in 5-10 business days.
What do HVAC Design Services cost for a New Build?
Designs cost range from $550 to $1400 depending on your design requirements and the delivery selected. We'd be happy to provide you with a Quote.
standard design
$550.00
+HST 5 DAY COMPLETION
Advanced design
$750.00
+HST 7 DAY COMPLETION
complex design
$950.00+
+HST 10 DAY COMPLETION
We provide HRAI Trained, BCIN Qualified Designers to quickly create OBC compliant designs. Take value in our eDesign Expedited Service, and receive your designs quickly. Same Day, 2-Day and Standard Service.
SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY. FINAL DRAWINGS WILL BE ISSUED UPON PAYMENT.
What documents are submitted for New Construction HVAC Permit?
When you order an HVAC Design these are the typical documents returned. These items are sold together in our Permit Packages (design dependent)
They are the basis for system design. Accurate calculations and analysis are necessary to correctly size system components. Comfort, efficiency and reliability are closely related to the correct sizing and selection of heating equipment. When equipment is oversized, efficiency is reduced, operating costs soar and climate control is lessened. Our HVAC Permit drawings calculate Heat Loss/ Gain using CAN/CSA-F280-12 in accordance with Ontario Building Code.
Residential Distribution Design (Duct Design for New Construction)
Encompasses many factors of the design process. Consideration to Load Calculations, system zoning, duct (branch and trunk) sizing and structure layout.
All duct designs for HVAC Permit are developed in good engineering practice with reference to ASHRAE handbooks and
HRAI Residential Air System Design
Residential Ventilation Design for New Construction
Ducts within the design are developed in good engineering practice with reference to ASHRAE handbooks, HRAI Digest and principles of CAN/CSA-F326, under the Ontario Building Code.
The OBC requires the submission of a Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary (MVDS) for building permit.
Ontario Schedule 1
OBC standardized form for Designer Information. This form provides project information such as: Project Address, Designer contact information, Design activities undertaken, Description of Designers Work, Designer Declaration of responsibility for work completed under the Ontario Building Code
SALTZBERRY DESIGN
