Ontario's HVAC
Design Experts

Yes, in most Ontario municipalities a building permit application for a new home or major renovation requires an HVAC design package. This typically includes heat loss/gain calculations, a mechanical system layout, a ventilation summary (to confirm adequate fresh air per ASHRAE 62.2), and an SB-12 Energy Efficiency Design Summary. Requirements vary by municipality — we're familiar with what different Ontario building departments expect.

SB-12 (Supplementary Standard SB-12 to the Ontario Building Code) establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements for houses and small buildings. Most new residential construction in Ontario requires an SB-12 Energy Efficiency Design Summary — a document that specifies your building envelope components (insulation, windows, doors) and confirms the heating equipment meets minimum efficiency standards. We complete this form as part of our design package.

A forced air system uses a central furnace or air handler with a network of ducts to distribute heated or cooled air throughout the home — it's the most common system type in Ontario. Mini split heat pumps are ductless (or semi-ducted) wall or ceiling-mounted units that condition specific zones without ductwork. Mini splits offer high efficiency and individual room control, but ductless systems typically cannot provide the fresh air ventilation required by code — meaning a separate HRV/ERV system with its own ductwork is needed.

Simply email us at catlin@coolcatshvacdesign.com or call 289-260-3490. Include your floor plans (PDF or CAD preferred), a brief description of your project, your location, and what services you require. We'll review your project details and get back to you with a timeline and any questions we have. Our design process is entirely remote, so we can serve any location in Ontario.

Yes, we provide energy modelling services for residential projects. Energy modelling simulates a home's annual energy consumption based on the building envelope, mechanical systems, lighting, and occupancy patterns. It's used to demonstrate code compliance (especially for EnerGuide and Net Zero Ready standards), qualify for energy rebate programs, and optimize design decisions before construction begins. Contact us to discuss your project's modelling needs.

A complete HVAC permit package for most Ontario municipalities includes: (1) a Heat Loss and Gain Calculation Report based on CSA F280 methodology, (2) a mechanical system layout showing duct routing, register/grille locations, and equipment specifications, (3) a Ventilation Summary form confirming ASHRAE 62.2-compliant fresh air delivery, (4) an SB-12 Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS form) documenting building envelope components and equipment efficiency, and (5) a Schedule 1 Designer Declaration. We tailor every package to what your specific building department requires — if your municipality only needs certain documents, we won't charge you for what you don't need.

At Cool Cat's HVAC Design, heat loss and gain calculations start at $250 and HVAC system design starts at $250 — both for homes up to 3,000 sq ft. Supporting documents like ventilation summaries ($100) and SB-12 EEDS forms ($100) are priced separately. A complete permit package for a typical Ontario home typically runs $500–$700. Larger homes are priced per additional 1,000 sq ft ($50 per block), and multi-zone designs include a $100 per-zone fee. All prices are in Canadian dollars. Contact us for a project-specific quote on large or complex builds.

Yes — our entire design process is remote. You email us your floor plans (PDF, CAD, or even clear photos of hand-drawn plans), your project location, the system type you're planning to install, and any permit documentation your building department has requested. We review the project, prepare all required drawings and calculation reports, and deliver the completed package electronically. This means we can serve any builder, contractor, architect, or homeowner across Ontario, regardless of location — from downtown Toronto to rural Grey County to Northern Ontario.

An HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) or ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) is a mechanical system that brings fresh outdoor air into your home while recovering the heat — and in the case of an ERV, also the moisture — from the outgoing stale air. In Ontario, most new residential construction is required by the building code to have mechanical ventilation that meets ASHRAE 62.2 fresh air standards. For homes using ductless mini split systems, a fully ducted HRV/ERV is typically required since the mini splits themselves do not deliver fresh air. We design ventilation systems and provide the required ventilation summary documentation as part of our permit packages.

Absolutely. The majority of our work is with custom home builders, general contractors, HVAC installers, architectural designers, and property developers who need reliable permit-ready HVAC documentation for residential projects across Ontario. We understand construction timelines and the pressure that comes with permit deadlines. Our designs are produced with real installation practicality in mind — because our designer has spent years on job sites, not just in front of a computer. We also work directly with homeowners who are self-managing their build or major renovation.