HVAC - Heating Ventillation and Air Conditioning

Even if you do not use your cottage during the winter months, you will still need to ensure that the temperature inside stays slightly above freezing in order to prevent pipes from bursting and other damage. Frost can cause damage to any cement or mortar work, which can be avoided by keeping the basement at about 10C.

Ventilation is especially critical because cottages can be shut up for long periods of times (sometimes all winter long) and mould and mildew can develop. Many common household items give off toxic fumes that agitate respiratory conditions like asthma. Paint, carpets, cleansers, varnishes all contribute to the problem. Fresh air helps prevent "sick building syndrome" as well as ensuring critical levels of carbon monoxide do not build up.

In hiring a contractor to do any heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work on your cottage, remember the simple rule: cheapest is not always the best value. You want a contractor who will be in business for a long time and who stands behind his (or her) work.

If there is a provincial regulatory body, make sure you are hiring a registered individual so that you can be sure that they have the necessary training and that they are responsible to an authority. It also gives you a body to contact if you are having problems with the contractor.

A few tips for hiring contractors:

• Get three references of local people who have had work done by this contractor.
• Ask your trusted friends and neighbours (more than one) for a recommendation.
• Do not hire anyone who quotes before examining the job. Expect that smaller jobs may be quoted on the spot (once they have seen the work to be done), but larger ones may require pricing materials and special orders.
• Reputable contractors will not ask for a large layout of cash before materials are delivered.
• Make sure you get a full business address and phone number where they can be reached.
• Ask if they are insured, and if they have their business license.
• Get it in writing! Both you and the contractor should have signed copies of the contract.

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAC) says that a contract should list when work will begin, and an approximate finish date; how much it will cost; any licenses or permits the contractor will need; a list of warranties or guarantees for materials and labour; and it will spell out who is responsible for getting rid of old material and equipment.

You should be left with operation manuals when the job is complete.

Regulating/certifying bodies:

• Ontario: Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) 1-877-682-TSSA http://www.tssa.org/

Trade associations

• Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada http://www.hrac.ca
• National Energy Conservation Association (NECA) - http://www.neca.ca/
• Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) - http://www.chba.ca/

Other links:

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
• Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide for Houses
• Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI)

Related information

In the basics section of the site is a page on using wood to heat your cottage. This page does not cover that topic. There is a page on alternative energy that includes solar walls in the Environment section of the site. You might also want to look into heated flooring if you use the cabin all year around.