A large share of Markham’s housing stock is new enough to fall under building codes requiring mechanical ventilation, which means HRV or ERV systems are standard equipment here in a way they aren’t in older GTA markets. Plenty of HVAC companies still barely service them, focusing entirely on the furnace and AC.
Ask If They Actually Service HRV/ERV Systems
Ask directly whether the company services HRV and ERV units, not just furnaces and air conditioners. A company that treats your ventilation system as an afterthought may misdiagnose an air-quality complaint as a furnace issue, or simply decline to touch it at all.
Ask About TSSA Licensing
In Ontario, anyone working on gas-fired appliances — including most furnaces — is legally required to hold certification through the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Ask directly whether the technician coming to your home is TSSA-certified.
Understand How They Price Repairs
Some companies quote an hourly rate that can balloon once they’re on-site. Others, like us, quote a flat rate for the job before any work starts, so you know the cost upfront regardless of how long the repair takes.
Check Their Actual Response Time
“24/7 emergency service” means different things to different companies. Some route your call to an answering service that takes a message; others have a live dispatcher who can tell you, on the spot, when a technician will actually arrive.
Ask What Systems and Brands They Service
A company that only knows standard furnace brands may struggle with, or simply decline, HRV/ERV service. Look for technicians explicitly trained on ventilation systems, not just heating and cooling.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Reluctance to confirm they service HRV/ERV systems if your home has one.
- No licence number provided when asked.
- No firm price before work begins.
- Pressure to replace an entire system before a proper diagnosis has been done.
- No local presence in Markham — a company with no actual local trucks can’t reliably hit a fast response time.
Choosing the right company up front saves you money and, in an emergency, saves you time. If you’re comparing options in Markham, ask us these same questions — we service furnaces, AC, and HRV/ERV ventilation as a matter of course, and we’re happy to answer before you book.