Ductwork Installation in Toronto

Almost always. Heat pump supply air is 38-43°C (lukewarm to your hand) vs furnace 49-54°C (hot). The way to deliver the same heat is more airflow — which means the ducts must be sized properly. Common fix: replace the main supply trunk to a larger size, add return-air capacity, balance registers. $2,400 – $5,800 typical retrofit. Manual D shows where the bottleneck is.

Static pressure test at the air handler. > 0.5" w.c. = system fighting the ducts. We do this measurement free at the consultation. Also watch for whistling registers, large temperature variation between rooms, or short-cycling at the air handler — all classic undersized-duct symptoms.

Often yes. We pressure-test and inspect at the consultation. About 60-70% of pre-2010 Toronto homes have reusable trunk lines that just need new boots, sealing, and balancing — $480-$1,800 cleanup vs $5K+ replacement.

Duct cleaning ($300-$600) is a separate service — useful for allergen control or post-renovation dust, but doesn't fix airflow problems. Ductwork replacement is a structural fix. We refer duct cleaning to specialist partners (Modernistic, Stanley Steamer).

Partial replacement (one trunk): 1-2 days. Full system (existing home): 3-7 days. New construction / addition: 2-5 days. Asbestos abatement adds 5-10 days lead time and 2-3 days site work.

If your home was built 1950-1980 AND has white/grey/brown insulation wrap on the supply trunks (especially in the basement), assume YES until tested. Do not disturb. $80-$180 test by HCRA-licensed sampler before any work begins.

2-year RenoHouse labour. Lifetime warranty on sheet metal duct material (galvanized 26 ga from Hart & Cooley / Tuttle & Bailey). Manufacturer warranty on installed equipment (dampers, booster fans) per spec sheet.

Yes — adding zone dampers + zone control board + extra thermostats ($1,800 – $4,500 added) lets you heat/cool different areas independently. Most common: separate upstairs / downstairs zone in 2-storey home. We coordinate the controls with the HVAC partner.

Sheet metal: longer life, better airflow, no mould risk, OBC preferred for trunk lines. Flex: only for ≤5 ft final connections per OBC. We use sheet metal everywhere we can; flex only at the boots. Pricing comparable for the same job; flex is sometimes cheaper labour but doesn't last as long.

Yes — ductwork is not gas-fired and doesn't trigger Enbridge restrictions. ESA inspection scheduling for duct-mounted electrical may have minor delays in late June through July if downtown core.