HVAC Appliance Testing

Optimize your HVAC appliances for efficiency, air quality, and regulatory compliance with independent, third-party performance testing. With North America's only HVI-approved laboratory for HRV/ERV testing, Element deliver precise data across variable temperature and humidity conditions to validate your products' real-world performance.

HVAC Performance Testing
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What is HVAC Appliance Testing at Element?

HVAC Appliance Testing measures how HVAC systems perform under controlled environmental conditions, assessing their efficiency, thermal output, heat transfer, airflow rates and energy consumption. At Element, we specialize in comprehensive performance assessments of HVAC products used within indoor environmental and air quality control systems, verifying their thermal efficiency, combustion performance, air exchange effectiveness, and energy consumption characteristics. Our comprehensive assessments help manufacturers meet industry standards while delivering optimal performance in real-world applications.

Element building products testing engineer wearing safety equipment and hard hat

What Can Element Offer You for HVAC Appliance Testing?

Products we test

Elements' specialized laboratory evaluates a comprehensive range of HVAC products critical to building performance. We test gas and electric water heaters with both storage tanks and instantaneous systems, residential gas-fired boilers, and specialized ventilation equipment including HRVs and ERVs. Our expertise extends to integrated appliances and combo systems that combine space and water heating functions, providing complete validation of your product portfolio.

  • Storage tank water heaters
  • Instantaneous water heating systems
  • Residential gas-fired boilers
  • Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs)
  • Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)
  • Integrated appliance systems
  • Combined space and water heating systems

Key tests offered

We conduct rigorous HVAC Appliance Testing using controlled environmental chambers that replicate real-world operating conditions. Our assessments cover critical performance factors, including energy efficiency, thermal output, airflow effectiveness, and system interactions in varied climate conditions. We offer pre-certification testing and full performance evaluations, helping manufacturers optimize designs while ensuring compliance with CSA, HVI, and NRCan standards.

  • Energy efficiency verification
  • Thermal performance measurement
  • Air exchange effectiveness
  • Heat recovery efficiency
  • Combustion product analysis
  • Power consumption monitoring
  • Water flow performance

Methods and solutions offered

Our HVAC Appliance Testing includes dynamic load testing, measuring performance under varying demand scenarios to optimize real-world efficiency across an appliance’s full-service life. Using advanced environmental chambers, we precisely control temperatures from -30°C to +40°C and humidity levels up to 75% RH, replicating indoor and outdoor conditions for accurate performance validation. We also incorporate precise metering of gas and water flow, power consumption tracking, and detailed pressure and temperature analysis. We monitor performance continuously through a high-precision, programmable data acquisition system that collects and analyzes real-time data on HVAC appliance efficiency, thermal output, power consumption, gas emissions, and airflow under varying environmental conditions. This comprehensive approach provides detailed performance profiles that validate marketing claims and regulatory compliance.

  • Environmental chamber testing
  • Variable temperature and humidity simulation
  • Continuous performance monitoring
  • Real-time data acquisition
  • Combustion product analysis
  • Pre-certification assessments
  • Performance verification

Specialized HRV/ERV testing expertise

Our Mississauga, Canada laboratory is the only one in North America approved by the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) for HVAC Appliance Testing of Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV), following HVI Publication 920 and CSA standards. Selected by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for the eKOCOMFORT initiative, we specialize in testing integrated HVAC appliances that combine space heating, water heating, and ventilation, adhering to CSA P.9-11 standards for efficiency and performance.

Which labs offer this service

Our HVAC performance testing laboratory in Mississauga, Canada serves clients throughout North America with specialized expertise in ventilation and heating system evaluation. This facility stands as the only laboratory in North America approved by the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) for performance evaluation and certification of Heat Recovery Ventilators and Energy Recovery Ventilators.  

Standards we test to and products we test

These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!
  • HVI Publication 920
  • CSA C439
  • CSA P.9-11

In addition to CSA and HVI standards, we also test HVAC appliances to AHRI 210/240 and UL safety requirements where applicable.

Your Challenges, Our Solutions

Unreliable HVAC Efficiency Claims

Without precise testing, HVAC appliances may not meet performance expectations. Our controlled environmental testing provides accurate data on energy efficiency, airflow, and heat recovery, ensuring your products perform as promised in real-world conditions.

Complex Certification & Compliance

Navigating HVAC compliance requirements can be challenging. We provide certified testing to CSA, HVI, and NRCan standards, streamlining approvals and ensuring market readiness

Poor Performance in Extreme Conditions

HVAC systems must operate efficiently in diverse climates. Our test chambers simulate temperatures from -30°C to +40°C and humidity up to 75% RH, validating your product’s durability, efficiency, and comfort delivery in any environment.

Inefficient Integrated HVAC Systems

Combo systems with space heating, water heating, and ventilation need specialized testing. We provide comprehensive validation, measuring energy savings, system interactions, and airflow performance, so your integrated appliances meet efficiency and regulatory demands.

Why Choose Element

Element building products testing engineer wearing safety helmet and protective eyewear in industrial facility

North America's trusted authority

Our Mississauga laboratory is the only facility in North America approved by the Home Ventilating Institute for HRV/ERV performance evaluation and certification.

Complete environmental simulation

Our advanced test chambers precisely control temperature (-30°C to +40°C) and humidity (up to 75% RH) to validate your products across their entire operational range.

Integrated systems expertise

Selected by NRCan for the eKOCOMFORT initiative, we bring specialized knowledge in testing complex systems that combine multiple HVAC functions.

Comprehensive measurement capabilities

From combustion product analysis to electrical consumption monitoring, our laboratory provides the complete data profile you need to validate product performance.

75% RH
maximum humidity

testing capability

-30
minimum temperature

testing range

1st
HVI-approved HRV/ERV lab

in North America
Element structural testing engineer with safety equipment conducting building materials inspection
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Speak to our team of experts

AMERICAS

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+1 888 786 7555

EUROPE

Contact our Central Team
UK

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+44 808 234 1667

Germany

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+49 800 000 5137

MIDDLE EAST

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+971 800 353 6368