HVAC Systems Inspection

Per CSA B149.1 and NBC Part 6, gas-fired heating equipment must be CSA-certified, installed per manufacturer instructions, and comply with the gas installation code. Minimum clearances to combustibles must be maintained per the equipment listing. Equipment must be sized per CSA F280 (heating and cooling load calculation) for the building. Oil-fired equipment must comply with CSA B140.

1. Verify heating equipment bears CSA or cUL certification and is installed per manufacturer instructions

2. Confirm clearances to combustibles meet the equipment listing and CSA B149.1 requirements

3. Check that equipment capacity matches the heating load calculation per CSA F280

4. Verify gas piping is properly sized, supported, and tested for leaks per CSA B149.1

5. Confirm combustion air supply is adequate — verify openings or direct vent configuration per CSA B149.1

- Equipment installed with insufficient clearance to combustibles

- Heating capacity undersized for the building heat loss creating comfort issues

- Gas piping undersized for the total connected load

- Inadequate combustion air supply causing negative pressure and combustion spillage

Per CSA B149.1 and NBC 9.33, gas appliance venting must comply with the vent connector and chimney requirements. Direct-vent (sealed combustion) appliances vent through the wall per the manufacturer's listing. Conventional vent appliances require a chimney meeting CSA B365 or ULC S610. Exhaust vent terminations must maintain clearances from openable windows, doors, and air intakes per CSA B149.1 Table 6.2.

1. Verify vent connector slope, material, and diameter match CSA B149.1 requirements for the appliance

2. Confirm chimney type and condition — masonry lined or factory-built per CSA B365 or ULC S610

3. Check vent termination clearances from windows, doors, and air intakes per CSA B149.1 Table 6.2

4. Test for combustion gas spillage at the draft hood using a smoke pencil with all exhaust fans operating

5. Verify high-efficiency condensing equipment condensate drain is properly routed and trapped

- Vent connector slope incorrect or connector undersized causing spillage

- Vent termination too close to openable windows or air intakes

- Combustion spillage when exhaust fans create negative building pressure

- Condensate drain from high-efficiency equipment not properly trapped or routed

Per CSA C273.5 and NBC Part 6, ductwork must be installed to deliver the designed airflow to each room. Supply and return ducts must be sized per the HVAC design. All joints must be sealed with mastic or approved tape — not cloth duct tape. Ductwork in unconditioned spaces must be insulated to minimum RSI 0.75 per NBC 9.25. Fire dampers are required where ducts penetrate fire separations per NBC 3.1.8.6.

1. Verify ductwork sizing matches the HVAC design for each supply and return run

2. Check that all duct joints are sealed with mastic or approved metallic tape per industry standards

3. Confirm ducts in unconditioned spaces (attics, crawl spaces) are insulated to minimum RSI 0.75

4. Verify fire dampers are installed at all duct penetrations through fire separations per NBC 3.1.8.6

5. Check that flexible duct runs are fully extended without kinks, sags, or excessive length

- Duct joints unsealed causing significant air leakage and energy loss

- Ductwork in attic or crawl space not insulated leading to condensation and energy loss

- Flexible duct kinked or sagging excessively restricting airflow

- Missing fire dampers at duct penetrations through fire separations

Per CSA F326 and NBC 9.32.3, all new dwellings must have a mechanical ventilation system capable of providing the required ventilation rate. Heat recovery ventilators (HRV) or energy recovery ventilators (ERV) are standard in Canadian construction. The system must provide a minimum continuous ventilation rate and a higher intermittent rate. Distribution must serve all habitable rooms.

1. Verify HRV/ERV unit is CSA-certified and sized to meet CSA F326 ventilation requirements

2. Confirm ductwork connects to all habitable rooms with supply and exhaust distribution

3. Check that outdoor air intake and exhaust terminations meet clearance requirements and are screened

4. Verify condensate drain from HRV is connected and draining properly

5. Test airflow at representative supply and exhaust points to verify balanced operation

- HRV/ERV undersized for the dwelling, not meeting CSA F326 minimum ventilation rates

- Outdoor intake too close to exhaust termination causing short-circuiting

- Condensate drain not connected or frozen in winter

- System not balanced — supply and exhaust airflows significantly different

Per NBC and CSA standards, air conditioning equipment must be CSA-certified and installed per manufacturer instructions. Refrigerant piping must comply with CSA B52 (Mechanical Refrigeration Code). Condensing units must be installed on a stable base with adequate clearance for airflow per the manufacturer's listing. Condensate must be drained to an approved location per the National Plumbing Code.

1. Verify condensing unit is CSA-certified and installed on a level, stable base with proper clearances

2. Confirm refrigerant line insulation is continuous and in good condition on the suction line

3. Check condensate drain from the evaporator coil — properly routed to approved drainage point

4. Verify electrical disconnect is installed within sight of the condensing unit per CEC requirements

5. Test system operation — supply air temperature should be minimum 8 degrees C below return air

- Condensing unit clearances insufficient for proper airflow causing reduced efficiency

- Refrigerant line insulation missing or damaged causing condensation and energy loss

- Condensate drain not properly connected causing water damage

- System short-cycling due to oversizing or refrigerant charge issues

Per NBC Part 6 (energy efficiency) and NECB, heating and cooling systems must have automatic temperature controls. Programmable or smart thermostats are required in many provinces. Thermostat placement must avoid locations affected by drafts, direct sunlight, or heat sources. Zone controls, where installed, must independently regulate each zone.

1. Verify thermostat is installed at approximately 1500 mm height on an interior wall away from drafts and sunlight

2. Confirm thermostat is programmable or meets provincial energy efficiency requirements

3. Test heating and cooling response — system should activate within 2 minutes of a setpoint change

4. Verify zone dampers operate correctly if a zoned system is installed

5. Check that thermostat wiring is correct and all stages (heat, cool, fan) function properly

- Thermostat located on exterior wall or near heat source giving false temperature readings

- Programmable thermostat not set up correctly, defaulting to constant operation

- Zone dampers stuck or not responding to thermostat calls

- Wiring errors causing heating to run when cooling is called or vice versa

Per CSA B149.1, gas piping must be sized for the total connected load, properly supported, and tested for leaks before commissioning. Black iron, CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing), or approved copper tubing may be used. CSST must be bonded per CSA B149.1 and the manufacturer's instructions. Gas shut-off valves must be accessible at each appliance. A gas leak test must be performed at the required pressure before any gas is introduced.

1. Verify gas piping material is approved per CSA B149.1 and properly supported at required intervals

2. Confirm CSST bonding is installed per CSA B149.1 and manufacturer requirements

3. Check that individual shut-off valves are installed and accessible at each gas appliance

4. Verify the gas leak test has been performed and documented at the required test pressure

5. Confirm gas meter and regulator are properly installed and accessible

- CSST not bonded creating a lightning strike and arcing hazard

- Gas shut-off valves inaccessible behind equipment or finished walls

- Piping undersized for the total connected BTU load

- Leak test not performed or documented before system commissioning