Commercial Heat Pump & Shop Heating Installation in North Whitby
Case Study: Marleau's Action Maintenance
When Marleau’s Action Maintenance moved into their new shop in North Whitby, the building presented a common commercial HVAC challenge: the space wasn’t uniform.
It wasn’t just a big heated warehouse. It included three enclosed offices, a paint storage room, and a large open shop area. Each zone had completely different heating and cooling needs. Treating the building as one system would have meant compromises — either inefficient comfort in the offices or inadequate performance in the shop.
Instead, HVAC Zack designed a split commercial solution that matched the way the building is actually used.
Zoned Comfort for Offices and Paint Storage
The office areas and paint storage required precise temperature control year-round. Employees need cooling in summer, stable heating in winter, and quiet operation during working hours. Paint storage adds another layer — temperature stability protects materials and keeps operations compliant.
Zack installed a Mitsubishi heat pump system connected to a branch box serving four indoor wall-mounted heads. Each space can now operate independently, which means:
- Offices can be adjusted individually depending on occupancy
- The paint storage room maintains stable conditioning
- Cooling and heating operate efficiently without overconditioning unused areas
This type of branch box configuration allows multiple indoor units to share one outdoor condenser while maintaining proper refrigerant management. It’s a clean solution for light commercial buildings where ductwork would either be impractical or unnecessarily invasive.
Dedicated Heat for the Shop Area
The large shop space required a completely different strategy.
High ceilings, large overhead doors, intermittent air exchange, and open floor volume change the heat loss profile dramatically. Heat pumps are excellent for controlled environments like offices, but wide-open shop areas demand high-output, rapid recovery heat.
For this zone, Zack installed a Reznor unit heater mounted high on the wall. This style of heater is ideal for commercial shop environments because it delivers direct, powerful heating where it’s needed and recovers temperature quickly after doors open.
This was not about oversizing equipment. It was about matching the heating method to the space’s behavior.
Exterior Equipment Placement & Cold Climate Performance
Outside, the Mitsubishi condenser was mounted securely on wall brackets above grade. This is especially important in Ontario winters. Snow buildup, ice accumulation, and drifting can all impact airflow and performance if outdoor units are not elevated properly.
The bracket mounting also protects the system from ground vibration and keeps service access clean and straightforward.
This installation ensures the offices remain conditioned year-round while the shop heating system operates independently.
Electrical & System Integration
Commercial systems require coordination. The branch box setup distributes refrigerant lines to each indoor unit, all routed cleanly and secured properly along the interior walls.
Attention to line management matters. Proper routing, insulation, and protection prevent future service issues and keep installations clean.
Why This System Design Works
Instead of trying to force one system to handle incompatible demands, this building was divided logically:
- Precision comfort for offices and paint storage
- Durable high-output heating for the shop
That separation keeps operating costs predictable while maintaining comfort and reliability. It also simplifies future service and allows expansion if the business grows.
For commercial shops in North Whitby and across Durham Region, this hybrid-style layout is often the smartest approach. Every building behaves differently. The right HVAC solution starts with understanding how the space functions.
Serving Local Businesses in North Whitby
This project was completed for Marleau’s Action Maintenance in North Whitby. Local commercial builds require equipment that performs in Ontario winters while staying efficient during shoulder seasons.
If you’re planning a new commercial space or upgrading an existing facility, system design should match:
- Building layout
- Usage patterns
- Air volume
- Door frequency
- Occupancy zones
One-size-fits-all solutions rarely perform well long term.
HVAC Zack works with business owners, builders, and property managers across Durham Region to design systems that actually match how buildings operate.