Condo HVAC In 2025: Transitioning to R32 & R454B Refrigerants

As the Condo HVAC industry prioritizes environmentally friendly solutions, the transition from R410A to newer refrigerants, R32 and R454B, marks a significant change in 2025. These next-generation refrigerants reduce environmental impact and maintain the high efficiency and safety standards that modern condos and properties demand.If you’re a condo owner or property manager, understanding these changes…
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The Need To Replace Fan Coil Units In Older Condo Buildings

The Need To Replace Fan Coil Units In Older Condo Buildings Aging fan coil units, often over 20 years old, often need to be replaced or retrofitted in older condo buildings in Toronto & GTA. This brings forth various challenges that impact the health, energy efficiency, and well-being of condo living space for the resident…
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Condo HVAC Services In Oakville & Burlington

Home Trade Standards provides Condo HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning Services in Oakville & Burlington areas. Our service & Installation team can help you with the following equipment: Fan Coil Units Condo Heat Pump (Vertical & Horizontal) Magic Pak Skymark HVAC PTAC Units Call Us Now Schedule a Call Back Condo Heat Pump Repair &…
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What is a Fan Coil Actuator In Condos?

What is a Fan Coil Actuator In Condos? In a condo fan coil system, the actuator is a motorized device responsible for controlling valve operations. Working harmoniously with the thermostat, it regulates the room temperature by managing the flow of hot or cold water through the coil. Actuator failures are one of the major reported…
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Condo ERV Repair & Maintenance – Toronto & GTA

ERV, also known as Energy Recovery Ventilator, is an integral part of a home’s ventilation system. These systems are designed to improve indoor air quality by bringing fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. They work by transferring the energy from the outgoing exhaust air to the incoming fresh air, which helps to precondition…
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Flashing HPS Red Light on Your Condo Heat Pump System

If you notice a red high-pressure switch (HPS) light on your condo heat pump’s circuit board, it typically signals an issue related to elevated refrigerant pressure. The HPS serves as a safety mechanism, designed to deactivate the heat pump compressor when refrigerant pressure becomes excessively high. This illuminated light indicates a potential problem requiring expert…
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Why Do Condo Heat Pumps Fail In Winter?

Condo Heat Pumps aka Water Source Heat Pumps typically fail due to 5 common reasons. Heat Pumps have strict operation requirements during heating or air conditioning seasons. Failure to satisfy these requirement will disrupt heat pump operation in winter months. By understanding these requirements and taking preventative measures, residents & property managers can ensure optimal…
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Who’s Responsible for In-Suite HVAC Repairs in Condos?

Who’s Responsible for In-Suite HVAC Repairs in Condos? Condo owners are typically responsible for emergency repairs and maintenance of their in-suite heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems, including fan coils, heat pumps, ERV, bathroom fans, exhaust fans, and other in-suite appliances.While buildings may generally conduct complimentary annual or semi-annual maintenance, cleaning, and filter change,…
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Lifespan of HVAC Systems in Condos: An Expert Guide

Knowing the HVAC Lifespan In Your Condo can help you Plan & Budget for Maintenance, Repair and Replacement when necessary. Regular maintenance and good repair practices will eliminate the root cause of issues associated with in-suite HVAC systems. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to the Average Lifespan of Five (5) Common HVAC Systems Used In Condos: Fan coil systems, Heat pumps, PTAC…
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Why My Condo Heater Blowing Cold Air?

If you’re a condo owner, you know how important it is to have a functional heating system during the colder months. Unfortunately, there may come a time when your condo heater starts to blow cold air instead of hot. This can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to fix the problem.…
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Omega Heat Pump Flashing LPS Red Light. What Does It Mean?

A red low-pressure switch (LPS) light on a condo heat pump circuit board or control panel typically indicates that the system is experiencing low refrigerant pressure. The LPS is a safety pressure switch that is designed to shut off the heat pump if the refrigerant pressure in the system becomes too low. When the light…
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How To Tender Your Building Fan Coil or Heat Pump Projects?

Many property managers struggle with older In-Suite HVAC systems once they pass the expected life expectancy. Whether you are looking to do annual/semi-annual maintenance or building a wide HVAC retrofit project, the board of directors will need to have a proper tendering process to select the right contractor for your building. Here we outlined a…
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How Long Do Fan Coil Units Last? – Home Trade Standards

How Long Do Fan Coil Units Last? Fan Coil units are designed to operate for 20 years according to manufacturer specifications. Studies found many risks associated with fan coil systems exceeding 20 years of lifespan. Fan Coils are the most commonly installed HVAC systems in Toronto’s low rise & high rise residential condo buildings. Fan…
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What Are The Best Heat Pumps For My Condo? – Toronto & GTA

Our clients often ask, “what is the best heat pump for my condo?”  We are restricted by Condo HVAC requirements, space, compatibility, and liability issues. Therefore, we may only have a few choices when selecting the correct replacement heat pump system for your condo. Condo Heat Pump System Condo Heat pump System performs different from…
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Why Is a Bad Smell Coming Out of My Condo HVAC System?

Do you smell musty in your home? Bad odour is one of the most reported problems by condo residents. This is mainly due to the lack of HVAC maintenance in your condo suite. Filter replacement isn’t only enough to have perfect indoor air quality. During the summer months, condensation causes a lot of moisture &…
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When Do Condos Turn On Air Conditioning?

With the warmer weather approaching in April & May, most condo buildings with fan coil unit turn off the building central boiler system. At this time, you may not have heating or cooling. Normally building management post public announcement in the building common area to notify residents about switch over dates. Once the building chiller…
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What To Expect Before & After Condo Fan Coil Replacement?

If you’re currently scheduled for a fan coil retrofit project, here is how you can prepare before & after the work is completed. Book the service elevator for the day of installation. Ensure there is a minimum of 6 ft or 2 Metres clearance around the fan coil area. Our technicians will use different tools,…
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6 Reasons Your Condo Gets Too Hot or Too Cold In The Winter? – Condo Tips

Many condo owners in Toronto contact us when they feel like the temperature in their space is either too hot or too cold consistently. This is one of the most reported problems in residential low-rise & high-rise buildings. In this guide, we would like to examine six (6) common causes of in-suite temperature imbalances and…
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What’s The Best HVAC System For My Condo?

If you live in a condo with an old or Broken HVAC system & wondering what is the best Condo HVAC replacement for your current unit, this article is for you!  As Toronto Condo Buildings get older, residents start to face the frequency of visits with their existing heating & air conditioning systems. The first step to select the…
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Condo Fan Coil Change Over From Air Conditioning To Heating

Toronto weather is getting colder at night and this means that condo building managers will begin to post announcements and notices around the building common area to notify the residents about the in-suite fan coil changeovers. Although Building staff usually use every communication medium to communicate with the residents, building managers are reporting that many residents are…
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Noisy Condo HVAC System? Toronto Condo Owners Question

Noisy Condo HVAC System? Toronto Condo Owners Question We receive frequent service calls for Noisy HVAC Systems in condo buildings. These noises are usually described as Sharp, Banging, Rattling, Clicking, or Ticking Sounds. We understand your concern with the Noise In Your Condo, which creates discomfort throughout your day. Therefore, I would like to elaborate on this issue in the…
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Noisy Condo HVAC System? Toronto Condo Owners Question

We receive frequent service calls for Noisy HVAC Systems in condo buildings. These noises are usually described as Sharp, Banging, Rattling, Clicking, or Ticking Sounds. We understand your concern with the Noise In Your Condo, which creates discomfort throughout your day. Therefore, I would like to elaborate on this issue in the article to understand our audience better.

To get started, I’d like to leave a disclaimer here for our readers. Every condo uses a unique Heating and Air Conditioning System. These issues can vary from one condo to another. For the sake of this article, we cannot fully describe all the problems here because you would need a Licensed Condo HVAC Technician to inspect your system before coming to a full conclusion.

Here are five (5) common noise sounds described by our clients

  1. The noise starts as soon as I turn on my thermostat.
  2. A rattling noise happens continuously when the fan starts blowing air
  3. The noise comes on and off. I mostly hear The noise during nighttime
  4. My HVAC system makes noise even when the unit is off.
  5. I had no problem with my HVAC system in the Summer, but now I hear a noise behind the walls in my condo.

Call Us Now At (416) 736-7001 to Speak With a Live Agent.

Click Here To Book an Online Appointment.

Get a Free Quote Now!

Common Problem 1: The Noise Starts As Soon As I Turn On My Thermostat 

If you use a Fan Coil System in your condo, your actuator, 3-way valve or cartridge may be stuck in a close position and cause noise when the thermostat calls for cooling or heating. These valves allow hot or cold water through your fan coil system. The noise is often described as a constant sharp or banging noise in the condo. 

Common Problem 2: A Rattling Noise Happens Continuously When The Fan Starts Blowing Air

Typically, this noise is related to your Blower fan motor assembly. One common cause is wear and tear on the motor bearings, which can lead to a grinding or whirring sound. Another reason could be excessive vibration causing the buzzing noise. In some cases, loose screws or other components within the motor or fan assembly can also cause rattling or clicking sounds. This issue can be resolved by replacing the blower fan motor or housing. 

Common Problem 3: The Noise Comes On & Off

If you are using a heat pump system in your condo, it is normal for the compressor to have a clicking sound when it turns off and as soon as it hits the desired temperature. The compressor is an engine for your HVAC system. The heat pump uses a refrigeration cycle to provide heating and air conditioning in your space. Heat Pump compressors often start making a rattling or vibration noise due to internal mechanical malfunction. Compressor excessive noise could indicate inefficiency, low refrigerant or electrical malfunction. This noise may not be repairable due to the high costs of replacing a compressor. Please have a licensed mechanic inspect your heat pump to find out about the root cause of the noise before replacing the chassis or compressor. 

Common Problem 4: There Is a Noise In My HVAC System Even When The System is off. I Mostly Hear Noise During the Nighttime

Although many people think that this may be from the HVAC system in your condo, we found out that this could be due to an air trap in the plumbing system of your condo.

Air trapped in a plumbing system in an apartment can cause noise. This is because when water flows through pipes, it can create vibrations that are transmitted through the pipe walls and into the surrounding air. Typically, these vibrations are dampened by water in the lines, but if the air becomes trapped in the system, the vibrations can become amplified and create noise.

One typical example is the sound of water hammer, which occurs when water is rapidly shut off, and the resulting pressure wave causes the pipes to vibrate and bang against each other or against nearby surfaces. Air trapped in the plumbing system can exacerbate this effect and make the noise louder and more persistent.

Common Problem 5:  I Had No Problem With My HVAC System In Summer, But Now I Hear Noise From My Condo Heater Behind The Walls. 

There are two types of fan coil systems in Toronto. 2 Pipe and four-pipe fan coil systems. 4 Pipe fan coil system uses two actuators. In simpler words, one actuator valve is responsible for the heating section of the fan coil, and the second actuator controls the air conditioning compartment of your system. Therefore, you could hear an unpleasant noise in wintertime when there is no noise in the summertime. Replacing the heating side actuator eliminates the clicking sound in your condo.

Importance of Semi-Annual HVAC Maintenance

By scheduling Semi-annual HVAC Maintenance, you avoid potential problems before they happen. Our experienced Condo HVAC Experts will thoroughly check your system’s components and parts to ensure they operate as they should and will continue to do so in the future.

We have working experience with different HVAC equipment and systems in condos. Therefore, you can rely on us to help you identify potential issues that require immediate action rather than you having to deal with any future surprises.

Is My Condo HVAC System Still Under Warranty?

High Rise Developer and New Construction Condos only provide a 2 Year Comprehensive Warranty through Trion. Tarion is a non-profit, private corporation established in 1976 to protect the rights of new home buyers and regulate new home buyers and builders. According to the terms of the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act (the “Act”), If your condo is over two years old, you’re most likely not eligible for this warranty.

Ensure you carefully read your condo’s bylaws before purchasing a new condo to understand what would be covered. Most property management does not deal with condo HVAC issues. Hence, the individual owner is responsible for dealing with Sudden Heating & Air Conditioning repairs or breakdowns in your condo.

Let Experts Service Your Condo HVAC System

Home Trade Standards’ designated team specializes in High Rise Condominium HVAC Services in Toronto and GTA core areas.  

We are Experts in All Condo HVAC Units such as Fan Coil, Heat Pump, Magic-Pak and PTAC Heating & Air Conditioning Systems you currently use. 

Here Is What Our Clients Call Us For:

  • In-Suite Condominium Heating & Air Conditioning Repair Services
  • Condo HVAC Troubleshooting & Part Replacement
  • Condo HVAC Retrofit & Upgrade
  • Condo HVAC Removal & Installation
  • Condo Annual HVAC Maintenance
  • Condo HVAC Inspection & Report
  • Condo HVAC Services For High Rise Mechanical Systems
  • Condo Building Chiller and Boiler Services 

Call Us Now at (416) 736-7001 to Speak With a Live Agent.

Click Here To Book an Online Appointment.

Get a Free Quote Now!

 

We have helped hundreds of clients, including Condominium Corporations, LandlordsTenants & Property Managers, who contact us from one season to another as part of our ongoing practices. We fully Guarantee Our Services for 1 Year For all Small & Big Projects. 

Currently, we offer a Comprehensive HVAC Maintenance Program to all Residential, Commercial & Industrial High Rise Buildings In Toronto & GTA Area. Our Technicians are Trained, Licensed & Insured to provide Annual Condo Heating & Air Conditioning Maintenance Services.

 

Noisy Condo HVAC System? Toronto Condo Owners Question

We receive frequent service calls for Noisy HVAC Systems in condo buildings. These noises are usually described as Sharp, Banging, Rattling, Clicking, or Ticking Sounds. We understand your concern with the Noise In Your Condo, which creates discomfort throughout your day. Therefore, I would like to elaborate on this issue in the article to understand our audience better.

To get started, I’d like to leave a disclaimer here for our readers. Every condo uses a unique Heating and Air Conditioning System. These issues can vary from one condo to another. For the sake of this article, we cannot fully describe all the problems here because you would need a Licensed Condo HVAC Technician to inspect your system before coming to a full conclusion.

Here are five (5) common noise sounds described by our clients

  1. The noise starts as soon as I turn on my thermostat.
  2. A rattling noise happens continuously when the fan starts blowing air
  3. The noise comes on and off. I mostly hear The noise during nighttime
  4. My HVAC system makes noise even when the unit is off.
  5. I had no problem with my HVAC system in the Summer, but now I hear a noise behind the walls in my condo.

Call Us Now At (416) 736-7001 to Speak With a Live Agent.

Click Here To Book an Online Appointment.

Get a Free Quote Now!

Common Problem 1: The Noise Starts As Soon As I Turn On My Thermostat 

If you use a Fan Coil System in your condo, your actuator, 3-way valve or cartridge may be stuck in a close position and cause noise when the thermostat calls for cooling or heating. These valves allow hot or cold water through your fan coil system. The noise is often described as a constant sharp or banging noise in the condo. 

Common Problem 2: A Rattling Noise Happens Continuously When The Fan Starts Blowing Air

Typically, this noise is related to your Blower fan motor assembly. One common cause is wear and tear on the motor bearings, which can lead to a grinding or whirring sound. Another reason could be excessive vibration causing the buzzing noise. In some cases, loose screws or other components within the motor or fan assembly can also cause rattling or clicking sounds. This issue can be resolved by replacing the blower fan motor or housing. 

Common Problem 3: The Noise Comes On & Off

If you are using a heat pump system in your condo, it is normal for the compressor to have a clicking sound when it turns off and as soon as it hits the desired temperature. The compressor is an engine for your HVAC system. The heat pump uses a refrigeration cycle to provide heating and air conditioning in your space. Heat Pump compressors often start making a rattling or vibration noise due to internal mechanical malfunction. Compressor excessive noise could indicate inefficiency, low refrigerant or electrical malfunction. This noise may not be repairable due to the high costs of replacing a compressor. Please have a licensed mechanic inspect your heat pump to find out about the root cause of the noise before replacing the chassis or compressor. 

Common Problem 4: There Is a Noise In My HVAC System Even When The System is off. I Mostly Hear Noise During the Nighttime

Although many people think that this may be from the HVAC system in your condo, we found out that this could be due to an air trap in the plumbing system of your condo.

Air trapped in a plumbing system in an apartment can cause noise. This is because when water flows through pipes, it can create vibrations that are transmitted through the pipe walls and into the surrounding air. Typically, these vibrations are dampened by water in the lines, but if the air becomes trapped in the system, the vibrations can become amplified and create noise.

One typical example is the sound of water hammer, which occurs when water is rapidly shut off, and the resulting pressure wave causes the pipes to vibrate and bang against each other or against nearby surfaces. Air trapped in the plumbing system can exacerbate this effect and make the noise louder and more persistent.

Common Problem 5:  I Had No Problem With My HVAC System In Summer, But Now I Hear Noise From My Condo Heater Behind The Walls. 

There are two types of fan coil systems in Toronto. 2 Pipe and four-pipe fan coil systems. 4 Pipe fan coil system uses two actuators. In simpler words, one actuator valve is responsible for the heating section of the fan coil, and the second actuator controls the air conditioning compartment of your system. Therefore, you could hear an unpleasant noise in wintertime when there is no noise in the summertime. Replacing the heating side actuator eliminates the clicking sound in your condo.

Importance of Semi-Annual HVAC Maintenance

By scheduling Semi-annual HVAC Maintenance, you avoid potential problems before they happen. Our experienced Condo HVAC Experts will thoroughly check your system’s components and parts to ensure they operate as they should and will continue to do so in the future.

We have working experience with different HVAC equipment and systems in condos. Therefore, you can rely on us to help you identify potential issues that require immediate action rather than you having to deal with any future surprises.

Is My Condo HVAC System Still Under Warranty?

High Rise Developer and New Construction Condos only provide a 2 Year Comprehensive Warranty through Trion. Tarion is a non-profit, private corporation established in 1976 to protect the rights of new home buyers and regulate new home buyers and builders. According to the terms of the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act (the “Act”), If your condo is over two years old, you’re most likely not eligible for this warranty.

Ensure you carefully read your condo’s bylaws before purchasing a new condo to understand what would be covered. Most property management does not deal with condo HVAC issues. Hence, the individual owner is responsible for dealing with Sudden Heating & Air Conditioning repairs or breakdowns in your condo.

Let Experts Service Your Condo HVAC System

Home Trade Standards’ designated team specializes in High Rise Condominium HVAC Services in Toronto and GTA core areas.  

We are Experts in All Condo HVAC Units such as Fan Coil, Heat Pump, Magic-Pak and PTAC Heating & Air Conditioning Systems you currently use. 

Here Is What Our Clients Call Us For:

  • In-Suite Condominium Heating & Air Conditioning Repair Services
  • Condo HVAC Troubleshooting & Part Replacement
  • Condo HVAC Retrofit & Upgrade
  • Condo HVAC Removal & Installation
  • Condo Annual HVAC Maintenance
  • Condo HVAC Inspection & Report
  • Condo HVAC Services For High Rise Mechanical Systems
  • Condo Building Chiller and Boiler Services 

Call Us Now at (416) 736-7001 to Speak With a Live Agent.

Click Here To Book an Online Appointment.

Get a Free Quote Now!

 

We have helped hundreds of clients, including Condominium Corporations, LandlordsTenants & Property Managers, who contact us from one season to another as part of our ongoing practices. We fully Guarantee Our Services for 1 Year For all Small & Big Projects. 

Currently, we offer a Comprehensive HVAC Maintenance Program to all Residential, Commercial & Industrial High Rise Buildings In Toronto & GTA Area. Our Technicians are Trained, Licensed & Insured to provide Annual Condo Heating & Air Conditioning Maintenance Services.