A creaking house, strange smells, unpredictable drafts… what if it’s not a ghost, but simply a poorly resolved HVAC ventilation issue? In Montreal as well as across the South Shore, North Shore, Laval, and Longueuil, this kind of situation is far more common than you might think. At AirGreen, we’ve been called in many times when homeowners were convinced of a paranormal presence—only to discover a failing ventilation system was the real culprit. Here's a fascinating real-world example from a recent project.
A “Haunted” House in Montreal: A Real Case Study
We were recently contacted by the owner of a century-old home in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood. For several months, she had been experiencing a series of disturbing phenomena:
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Sudden banging sounds inside the walls
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Moldy smells in certain rooms, despite the house being spotless
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Persistent cold zones, even with central heating
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A feeling of suffocation at night, especially upstairs
Convinced her house was haunted, she even brought in a team of “ghost hunters.” It was a friend who finally suggested she have her HVAC ventilation system checked. That’s when we stepped in.
AirGreen’s Diagnosis: The Importance of a Thorough HVAC Inspection
From the moment we arrived, our team conducted a full audit of the home’s mechanical ventilation and existing heating and cooling systems. We quickly identified several critical issues:
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Extreme buildup of dust and mold inside the ventilation ducts
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An outdated air exchanger, no longer capable of providing proper airflow
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Unbalanced ventilation, creating pressure drops in specific rooms
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Expansion noises amplified by poorly insulated ductwork
There were no poltergeists—just a serious case of neglected maintenance and improperly sized HVAC components.
Our Solution: A Tailored Installation Designed for the Home
At AirGreen, we proposed a comprehensive solution implemented in multiple steps:
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Deep cleaning of the ducts, including decontamination using eco-safe products.
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Replacing the old air exchanger with a Venmar EVO5 500 HRV model, specially designed for older, tightly sealed homes.
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Complete rebalancing of airflow in every room, with the installation of adjustable flow air diffusers.
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Installation of a central humidifier to stabilize humidity levels and improve ambient comfort.
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Thermal imaging inspection to detect any air leaks not visible to the naked eye.
The result? The odors vanished, the strange noises quieted down, room temperatures stabilized—and most importantly, the homeowner now sleeps peacefully, with no fear of nighttime “visitors.”
Why Are These Situations So Common in Montreal and Its Surroundings?
Many homes in Montreal, Longueuil, Laval, and older areas of the South Shore and North Shore suffer from poor ventilation. The main reasons:
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Aging HVAC systems
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Partial renovations that overlook airflow balancing
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Poor insulation, leading to negative pressure zones and random drafts
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Lack of regular maintenance (recommended every 3 to 5 years)
These factors can easily make a home feel like it's “alive,” when in reality, it’s simply a matter of stagnant air, humidity, and structural noise.
Mistakes to Avoid If You Don’t Want Your Home to Feel “Haunted”
Here are a few simple tips to avoid the discomforts caused by poor HVAC ventilation:
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Never ignore unusual noises: recurring banging could be due to loose ductwork or pressure shifts.
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Monitor humidity: levels above 60% promote hidden mold growth.
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Inspect your ducts regularly: buildup can accumulate quickly, especially in urban areas.
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Be cautious with persistent odors: they often indicate air stagnation or dirty filters.
AirGreen: Your HVAC Expert Against “Mysterious” Homes
This wasn’t an isolated case. Across the Island of Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, and throughout the South Shore and North Shore, we’ve delivered tailored HVAC solutions for homes with strikingly similar symptoms. Each time, our methodical and technical approach has revealed the real culprits: mold, humidity, noisy ductwork, or poor air circulation.
We firmly believe that indoor air quality is essential to the comfort and health of every resident. And we know that each home is unique, with its own set of challenges. That’s why we customize our solutions case by case, using cutting-edge technology, proven expertise, and a commitment to exceptional customer service.
In Summary: No Need for an Exorcist—Just an HVAC Expert
If you’re experiencing strange phenomena at home, don’t wait for the situation to worsen. Call our team for a comprehensive HVAC inspection. Our experts will respond quickly to restore optimal comfort and ensure healthy, balanced air quality—everywhere in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore.