When the ventilation of an urban building becomes old: an emergency intervention by AirGreen
In the heart of the Ville-Marie district, in a mixed-use building in downtown Montreal, our AirGreen team was called for a complex repair of a commercial ventilation system . The owner had noticed an abnormal noise coming from the outdoor units, accompanied by a noticeable loss of efficiency of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
The installation was several years old and included several wall-mounted air conditioning units and a ventilation box suspended above a commercial window. In such a dense and exposed environment, every minute without functioning air conditioning translates into discomfort for the occupants and operating losses for the business located on the ground floor.
Complete diagnosis: noise, vibration and air imbalance
Upon our arrival, our technicians carried out a complete diagnosis . The symptoms were multiple:
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Intermittent mechanical noises coming from the main fan.
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Significant air leaks at the junction of the metal casing and the ducts.
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Accumulation of dust and grease in filters and fan blades.
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Non-compliant electrical wiring , a result of previous improvised modifications.
Upon inspection, we found that the main fan motor was showing signs of overheating. In addition, several mounting brackets were showing corrosion, compromising the stability of the assembly—a potentially dangerous situation on a building facade.
Technical intervention: disassembly, cleaning and realignment of the system
The first step was to cut off the power supply and secure the work area . Working on a system suspended more than three meters above the ground in an urban environment requires absolute rigor.
Our technicians then:
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Partially dismantled the ventilation box to access the motor and fan.
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Completely cleaned the blades and internal ducts, removing accumulated dust and deposits.
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Replaced the engine mounts to reduce vibrations.
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Readjusted the drive belt and balanced the fan rotor.
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Securely reattached the metal structure to the wall using galvanized steel anchors.
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Checked the static pressure and air flow , to ensure that the distribution was homogeneous throughout the interior network.
Result: restored performance and enhanced security
Once the repair was complete, we rebooted the system and performed performance measurements . The result was immediate:
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Noise level reduced by more than 40%
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25% airflow improvement
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Stabilized electricity consumption
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Enhanced structural safety
The customer, delighted to find efficient and quiet ventilation, also benefited from our preventive maintenance advice , including bi-annual cleaning of the filters and an annual check of the motor to avoid any future overheating.
AirGreen expertise in urban commercial environments
At AirGreen , we understand that every urban environment poses its own unique challenges: limited access, ambient noise, structural constraints , and compliance with municipal standards . That's why we tailor our interventions to the specific needs of each building.
Our teams, trained in the latest HVAC maintenance techniques, operate in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and the South Shore , to ensure the reliability and durability of commercial systems, whether ventilation, wall-mounted air conditioning or central heat pump .
Maintenance tips for owners of old buildings
A ventilation system installed for more than ten years in an urban building must be subject to regular preventive maintenance . Here are our experts' recommendations:
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Clean the filters every three months.
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Annual inspection of the engine and belts.
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Checking wall supports to prevent corrosion.
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Degreasing of ducts in commercial environments (restaurants, workshops, etc.).
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Airflow measurement to detect any loss of efficiency.
Following these practices extends the life of the system while reducing the risk of costly breakdowns and safety issues.
An exemplary intervention, a satisfied customer
At the end of the intervention, we took the time to validate the customer's satisfaction , to present the replaced parts and to explain the improvements made. This concern for transparency and pedagogy is at the heart of our approach.
This project in Ville-Marie perfectly illustrates our mission: to restart complex HVAC systems while ensuring safety, efficiency and peace of mind for our customers.
AirGreen – Your trusted partner for HVAC repair and maintenance in Montreal and the entire metropolitan area.