PLANNING / SELECTION / HANDOVER
Before choosing the equipment
Ask whether a dedicated duct layout or an approved connection to existing distribution best fits the building. Discuss winter operation, intake and exhaust locations and access for cleaning.
What belongs in the quote
Request airflow balancing results, control instructions and a maintenance demonstration. Compare an ERV with the designer where moisture behaviour is an important selection factor.
Think about the surrounding system
Describe the actual concern: moisture, stale rooms, particles, odours or an exhaust requirement. These are different problems. Ask the designer to explain what the proposed equipment addresses, what remains outside its scope and how the result will be measured. Include filter access and regular maintenance in the plan.
Three questions for your contractor
- How were ventilation rates selected?
- Where will intake and exhaust terminals go?
- Will measured balancing results be supplied?
Prepare a useful first conversation
Bring the site location, building use, equipment model details and photographs of accessible equipment. Describe the problem or planned change and any access or shutdown constraints. Ask the contractor to identify design assumptions, excluded work, required approvals and who will commission the finished system.
This is a project-planning guide. Final equipment selection and installation details need a qualified contractor or designer familiar with the site.
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Natural Resources Canada — heating, cooling and ventilation ↗Independent background reading. Manufacturer references illustrate equipment categories; HVACR.tv does not claim a dealer relationship or recommend a specific model.