HVAC for retail stores and shopping centres
Retail HVAC has to be fast to build, cheap to run and invisible to shoppers. We design tenant fit-outs and rooftop replacements, balance stores before opening, and help landlords and chains cut energy across many sites.
What makes it hard
- Fit-outs run on tight schedules and must work with the landlord's base-building systems and criteria.
- Many stores run on aging rooftop units that are inefficient and hard to keep running.
- Entrances, lighting and changing layouts make some areas too hot and others too cold.
- Chains want consistent performance and energy data across dozens of locations.
Our solutions
Design, build, test and tune: the services we bring to retail and shopping centres.
Codes and standards we work to
- ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality
- NECB and provincial energy codes
- National Building Code of Canada
- Landlord tenant design criteria
- CSA B52 for refrigeration and heat pumps
Questions
Can you work to the landlord's tenant criteria?
Yes. We review the lease exhibits and base-building drawings first, so the design is approved by the landlord and the permit office without rework.
Should we repair or replace our rooftop units?
It depends on age, condition, refrigerant and energy use. We compare the options on cost over the next 15 years and check available utility incentives.
Do you work across multiple provinces?
Yes. We have offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto and work on stores across Canada.
Further reading
- Retail and shopping centre HVAC
Learn how HVAC is designed for standalone stores, strip plazas and enclosed malls, including the landlord and tenant split, entrance control, food service exhaust and common energy pitfalls.
- Rooftop unit selection for commercial buildings
Learn the main decisions in selecting a packaged rooftop unit, from capacity and heating source to economizers, ventilation, efficiency ratings and the options that matter most in cold Canadian climates.
- Replacing rooftop units: what to check first
Learn what to check before replacing a packaged rooftop unit, from load and airflow to curbs, roof structure, utilities, controls and permits, so the new unit fits and performs better than the old one.
- Economizers: types, controls and common failures
Learn the types of economizers, how high-limit controls decide when to use outdoor air for cooling, and how to find and fix the failures that quietly waste energy.
- Utility incentives for HVAC upgrades in Canada
An overview of the incentive and financing programs available for commercial HVAC upgrades across Canada, how prescriptive and custom programs differ, and the steps that protect your eligibility.
- Benchmarking building energy use
Learn how energy benchmarking works, which metrics and tools are used in Canada, where reporting is mandatory, and how to turn a benchmark into a prioritized list of HVAC improvements.
Talk to us about your store or centre
Tell us about the building and what you need. We’ll be in touch within one hour.