Choosing HVAC for a Commercial Space

Start with the load

Heating and cooling needs depend on the building envelope, number of people, equipment heat, lighting and fresh air requirements. A load calculation, done by our in-house engineering group, replaces guesswork.

Alberta winters make heating capacity especially important, and large glass areas can create summer cooling problems.

Common system types

Rooftop units are common and cost-effective for open spaces. Split systems suit smaller areas and rooms with different needs. Variable refrigerant systems offer fine zoning. Hydronic systems use hot or chilled water and suit larger buildings.

Each option differs in cost, noise, maintenance and how easy it is to extend later.

Cost is not only equipment. Ductwork, controls, electrical service and roof work all add up, so compare complete installed prices.

Zoning and controls

A building with offices, a meeting room and a server room does not need the same conditions everywhere. Zoning lets each area be controlled separately. Good controls prevent heating and cooling at the same time and cut energy use.

Our mechanical and electrical crews set up controls together, so wiring and commissioning are handled in one pass.

Practical constraints

Check roof structure, equipment access, ceiling space for ducts, noise near neighbours and landlord rules. Crane access and winter scheduling can affect installation.

Gas, electrical and condensate connections all need to be planned.

Questions to ask

Ask about expected service life, maintenance needs, parts availability and who services the system after handover. Our mechanical crew supports what we install, which keeps accountability simple.

A written maintenance plan, agreed before handover, helps the system reach its expected life.