RenoAtlas.caClean grilles/filters, confirm exhausts terminate outdoors and observe humidity/odours.
Home system
Home ventilation, exhaust and pressure
Coordinate range hood, bath fans, HRV/ERV, ducts and combustion appliances instead of treating each fan separately.
Checked: 2026-08-21
New hood, bathroom, tighter house or closed rooms: verify air distribution and balance.
Combustion spillage, CO, strong depressurization or system design: qualified professional.
Useful tools and measurements
- Hygrometer
- Indicative anemometer / professional measurement as needed
- Replacement filters
- Intake and exhaust map
Having a tool does not make regulated work DIY.
What the professional checks
- Measure flows and pressures instead of guessing
- Balance HRV/ERV and check ductwork
- Check interaction with combustion appliances and range hood
Sources and limits
Requirements vary with the building, jurisdiction, code edition and exact scope. This triage does not replace plans, calculations, permits, inspections or required professionals.
Related path
Continue with the right tools
These links connect this page to the next useful checks and decisions without repeating the full content.
Track energy consumptionTrack kWh, costs, billing periods and consumption intensity over time.Open →Prepare home electrificationDocument panel, service, major loads and future projects before electrical assessment.Open →Estimate solar potentialTurn an official municipal yield into production, savings and simple payback.Open →Compare repair versus replacementCompare two strategies over the same horizon with recurring costs and residual value.Open →Check financial assistanceReview relevant Canadian and provincial programs before committing to work.Open →
Explore: Edge systems to integrate into the project
Edge systems to integrate into the project
This section covers interfaces that become important when multiple home systems interact.
Explore: Legacy conditions and resilience systems
Legacy conditions and resilience systems
Check these before enclosing, excavating, modernizing or automating an existing system.
Explore: Advanced systems and special cases
Advanced systems and special cases
Checks that change sequencing, risk or which professionals must be coordinated.
Explore: Hidden systems and critical interfaces
Hidden systems and critical interfaces
These checks target costly problems that often appear only after opening assemblies, conversions or changes of use.
Explore: Deep retrofit and envelope interfaces
Deep retrofit and envelope interfaces
Measure, sequence, drain, dry and verify interfaces before concealing work.
Explore: Building interfaces to diagnose before enclosure or replacement
Building interfaces to diagnose before enclosure or replacement
These tools connect structure, water, air, frost, wind and mechanical systems so repairs do not hide the cause.
Explore: Often-overlooked service interfaces
Often-overlooked service interfaces
This section connects systems that cross utility, plumbing, HVAC, envelope and metering boundaries.
Explore: Project risks and overlooked interfaces
Project risks and overlooked interfaces
This section connects payment, water, envelope, ventilation and jobsite details that often create costly surprises.
Explore: Finish and service details to verify
Finish and service details to verify
This section connects small details that become costly once finishes are closed.
Explore: Commissioning and everyday safety
Commissioning and everyday safety
This section helps verify systems after work and document the values that make a home safer to operate.
Explore: Post-disaster and legacy systems
Post-disaster and legacy systems
This section connects contamination, storm damage, legacy materials and recommissioning before rebuilding.
Explore: Remaining specialized systems
Remaining specialized systems
This section connects uncommon but costly decisions to systems already tracked by RenoAtlas.
- Construction legal hypothec: protect the homeowner file
- Metal roof: snow sliding and retention
- Domestic hot-water recirculation: comfort, energy and plumbing
- Wine cellar or cold room: temperature, vapour and condensation
- Sewage ejector and grinder pump
- Water softener: brine, drainage and septic system
- Storm windows and secondary glazing
- Exterior shading, awnings and overheating
- Tankless water heater: flow, capacity and maintenance
- Heat-pump / ventless dryer
- Gas-to-induction range conversion
- Solar carport / PV canopy
Explore: Blind spots to verify before proceeding
Blind spots to verify before proceeding
This section covers situations that change compliance, safety, project recovery or system design.
- Unpermitted work: regularize without guessing
- Failed inspection or correction notice
- Contractor abandons a renovation
- Construction erosion and sediment control
- Mould remediation: cause, containment and verification
- Existing building: when does renovation trigger an upgrade?
- Air-to-water heat pump and hydronic system
- Hybrid / dual-fuel heat-pump system
- Solar: inverter, interconnection and grid authorization
- Accessible-ready kitchen and bathroom
- Temporary access to neighbouring land for work
Explore: Specialized systems not to overlook
Specialized systems not to overlook
This section covers legacy, energy and envelope systems that can change the method or required professional.
- Legacy steam heating and cast-iron radiators
- MERV/HEPA air filtration without choking the system
- Legacy sewer lateral: camera, material and trenchless rehabilitation
- Copper pitting and pinhole leaks
- Door-to-door renovation sales: contract, 10 days and current prohibitions
- Electrification: actually decommission gas service
- Window security bars and egress
- Off-grid home and microgrid: energy, storage and islanding
- Building-integrated photovoltaics and solar shingles
- Foundation: dampproofing is not waterproofing
- Chimney flue liner and relining