Certified HVAC Design: Adhering to Building Code Requirements & HRAI Guidelines for HVAC Design in Ontario
PH: 905.658.6452
HVAC Design are a series of calculations based upon the: size, location and composition (R-Values) of the home's construction and surroundings.
They are comprised of the following:
Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary (MVDS)
Ontario Schedule 1 Form.
Heat Loss Gain Calculations are what will it take to heat & cool my house, during the warmest and coldest expected days of the year.
The Duct Design shows where the equipment will be placed, the trunk and branch sizes, and the location of the supply registers and return grilles.
Some projects may require additional documentation such as: Duct Design Detail Drawings, Mechanical Ventilation Design Details and HVAC System Notes; for Building Permit submission and applications.
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).
Designs and Calculations can be completed to work with your submission schedule.
Contents
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What additional Skills or Experiences should a Designer have?
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What are Supplemental Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning, Design Components?
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What is needed to complete and HVAC Design for New Construction in Ontario?
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What documents are submitted for New Construction HVAC Permit?
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What are the Ontario Building Code Residential HVAC Requirements
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) Design is the process by which a building's proposed heating, cooling and ventilation needs are calculated and documented .
Designs traditionally have been provided by Heating and Cooling Contractors through their own work, or work provided by their wholesalers and suppliers. Changes to the OBC instituted designer certification and registration requirements, which greatly expanded the range of parties offering design including those in the building science and architectural backgrounds.
While the Ontario Building Code requirements for HVAC Design can vary across the Province. Many municipalities have been requesting HVAC drawings for many years, while other areas have just recently instituted implementation of the code.
HVAC Design essentially describes what is takes to heat and cool your home, the equipment needed (Furnace, A/C, HRV, Ducting) and how it is intend to be used, to keep you comfortable in your surroundings.
Designs look at your location, the data excludes the 7 coldest and warmest days of the year.
The designer looks up the project's address from SB-1 of Vol. 2 of the Ontario Building Code (based upon your specific geographical location) to determine your weather data and outdoor design temperatures.
Architectural Plans are entered into Software to determine loads.
Combing climatic data with information from the architectural plans (Square footage, window sizes, r-values), project location and building orientation. Load Calculations are completed using HVAC Design Software under HRAI & OBC Design Criteria.
Equipment is sized, specified, and distribution systems are designed
Load Calculations are used to size the required equipment for Heating & Cooling needs, and for the creation of HVAC: Layouts, designs and drawings, for the various HVAC systems across the project.
Completed HVAC Calculations, Layouts and Plans and ventilation designs can be submitted for building permit application. Once approved designs can be used for quoting, installation and construction of the HVAC Systems.
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.
Fictional HVAC Install Hero
HVAC Designers in Ontario
HVAC Designers are the professionals who are responsible for designing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
In Ontario HVAC Designers have to be licensed in order to practice their profession. Individuals providing HVAC Design must be a professional engineer or hold a Building Code Identification Number and have designations in: HVAC House or Building Services, along with General Legal Process. Additionally they must be HRAI Certified.
BCIN Designers could also hold additional certifications in other building code categories including House, Small Buildings amongst others.
HVAC Designers should be well versed with the latest technology and types of various HVAC systems in the market, so that they can specify one that best suits the needs of their clients. They must be able to design a system that is energy efficient, cost effective and meets the needs of the client. They have to take into consideration all aspects of a building such as its size, shape, location, structure, orientation etc when designing an HVAC system for it.
Designers also have to consider factors such as zoning requirements, building codes etc while designing an HVAC system for a building. The design has to comply with all these factors so that it is approved by the authorities concerned.
So now that you've established your designers' profession credentials meet the mark, what else can your designer possibly offer?
Building Code Qualifications
Does your designer fully understand the OBC its' requirements, provisions and polices for dispute resolution, alternative solutions and renovation? Do they have the correct BCIN Number? Do they have the correct qualifications as BCIN designers?
Designers should have the minimum Building Code Qualifications of HVAC and General Legal, an be registered as an Independent Designer.
Multi Discipline Training
Homes today are a complex system of intertwined components. Understanding how these systems interact and being able to propose solutions across multiple disciplines are a must. Skills and experience in the following is an asset:
Pre-Engineered Products
Understanding how to utilize the performance characteristics of EWP systems is a must. LVL's, Wood I's, Flush beams and trusses, just a small list of obstructions installers face. Knowing some understands your homes obstacles is imperative.
CAD Drafting- Integration
If the design intent cannot be clearly represented graphically the design is useless. Being able to work alongside your architectural team requires proficiency in multiple file types and software.
Experience
Understanding the implications of your work on other trades . Working collaboratively with others and listening to their view points ensures success. Working with evolving interpretations of the Ontario Building Code.
The Primary Components of HVAC Design include: Heat Loss Gain Calculations, Duct and Ventilation Design. These items along with an Ontario Schedule 1 Form are required when submitting for Building Permit in Ontario. These documents provide the equipment sizing and prescribed distribution system for the heating and cooling system.
These are the items that are most often required for HVAC Permits to be issued.
Ontario Building Code Requires Supplemental Design Components for HVAC Permit (Building Permit HVAC Components)
Small Radiant Design
SB-12 Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS)
These items may be specific to your project, your design or your municipalities building code requirements and applications.
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
EEDS Form (SB-12)
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.
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 Duct Design
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
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
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Saltzberry Design: The HVAC Experts You Need.
How long does it take to get an HVAC Design completed?
Saltzberry Design can deliver most HVAC design projects, in 5-10 business days.
What does it cost to have an HVAC Design completed?
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
Advanced design
$750.00
complex design
$950.00
New and innovative services for residential heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. We use the latest Good Engineering fundamentals and standards to create energy-efficient HVAC designs that optimize air quality and comfort. Contact us today to find out how we can help you with your HVAC project.
SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY. FINAL DRAWINGS WILL BE ISSUED UPON PAYMENT.
Ontario Building Code HVAC Requirements
To comply with Ontario Building Code standards, homeowners must ensure their HVAC systems are properly designed, installed, inspected, and maintained for safety, efficiency, and comfort. This includes meeting OBC requirements for minimum temperatures, ventilation, duct insulation, noise limits, combustion air, system balancing, and accessibility for maintenance. Renovations must also align with OBC HVAC standards
Question: What heating temperature must HVAC systems maintain in Ontario homes?
Answer: The Ontario Building Code (OBC 9.33.3.1. ) requires HVAC systems to keep indoor temperatures at or above 22°C, even during winter. Systems are sized using design temperatures for each area.
Question: Does Ontario require ventilation systems in new homes?
Answer: New homes in Ontario need to have ventilation systems that can save heat and energy. Since January 1, 2017, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) SB-12 has made it mandatory to install heat recovery ventilation or ventilators (HRV) or energy recovery ventilation or ventilators (ERV) in all new homes . These systems bring in fresh air and use the outgoing air to heat or cool it, making the house more comfortable and eco-friendly. Additional consideration must be given to Kitchens, Bathroom, Laundry Rooms and sleeping quarters to ensure proper design.
Question: When is Insulation Required on Air Ducts?
Answer: Per OBC 6.2.9.2, ducts in unconditioned spaces like attics and crawlspaces, must be insulated. Insulation is required on air ducts to reduce energy loss, prevent condensation, and maintain optimal temperature in the duct system.
Question: What are the residential kitchen exhaust regulations in Ontario?
Answer: The Ontario Building Code (OBC) has specific requirements for kitchen exhaust systems in residential buildings.
These include: The exhaust fan must vent outside the building and have a minimum airflow of 50 L/s, or 25 L/s if it has a low-noise rating.
The exhaust system must have a make-up air device that replaces the exhausted air with fresh air from outside. The exhaust duct must be insulated and sealed to prevent condensation and air leakage.
Question: What is the maximum noise from HVAC systems?
Answer: Systems cannot exceed 6.0 sones noise (OBC 6.2.7.1) and the indoor level must be below 40dBa (5.8.1.3) to maintain comfort as noise is restricted.
Question: Where can HVAC equipment be placed in Ontario homes?
Answer: The OBC (6.2.3-6.2.5) specifies minimum distances from windows, doors, property lines and more. Equipment must also meet manufacturer and code positioning rules for safety.
Question: What combustion air rules exist for gas appliances?
Answer: OBC 6.2.3.8 requires properly sized air intakes to safely supply make-up air for fuel-burning appliances, ensuring efficient and hazard-free operation.
Question: Do duct designs need to meet industry standards?
Answer: Yes, per OBC 6.2.1.1 duct sizing, construction and layout must adhere to standards like ACCA Manual D for adequate airflow and balancing crucial for performance.
Question: Is HVAC system balancing mandatory in Ontario?
Answer: OBC 6.2.1.4 mandates balancing according to accepted techniques. This guarantees proper distribution to all areas as intended in designs.
Question: What HVAC controls does the code require?
Answer: Minimum standards for controls like thermostats apply under OBC 6.2.1.2 depending on complexity. Controls are key for efficiency and comfort.
Question: Are there HVAC maintenance/access rules?
Answer: The OBC (6.2.1.8, 6.2.5.2) requires accessibility for inspection, service and repairs as necessary to promote longevity and efficiency.
Question: Must HVAC renovations meet the building code?
Answer: Renovations must comply with applicable OBC sections unless exempted, ensuring safety and performance of updated HVAC systems.
How do I order an HVAC Design?
You can order an Ontario Building Code compliant designs in a few simple steps. Complete our short design Form and UPLOAD all Architectural Drawings. You'll receive preliminary designs in 2-5 business days.
Completed and finalized designs will be issued upon payment. (typically same day)
Ontario Building Code HVAC Design Requirements
For Residential Building Permits, The Ontario Building codes require that you submit the following documents as part of your application: Heat loss Calculations, Duct Design, Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary (MVDS) and Ontario Schedule 1 Form.
Heat Loss Gain Calculations
Duct Design
Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary (MVDS)
Ontario Schedule 1 Form.
Some projects may require additional documentation and supplemental designs such as: Duct Design Detail Drawings, Mechanical Ventilation Design Details and HVAC System Notes to aid in Building Permit submission and to gain acceptance from Building Officials.
The Ontario Building Code (along with HRAI Guidelines) prescribes the method by which, and who may produce these designs. HVAC Designers must be HRAI Certified and OBC Registered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (when not an Engineer).
Some municipalities have their own specific HVAC requirement to address city specific items such as Electronic Submissions Standards for Heating & Cooling Loads and Ventilation Reporting.
Designs can be produced from PDF or DWG files of your Architectural Plans. The architectural Plans should be the final issued for construction versions (Any updates need to be forwarded along at your earliest available opportunity). Designers must meet the Qualification and Registration Requirement of the Ontario Building Code. Work should be completed with the support of HRAI, ASHRARE fundamentals and good engineering practice.
