Frequently Asked Questions

While our systems are different from traditional HVAC systems, they are designed to be easy to install. Our units and distribution components fit together easily and don’t require specialized tools. For more information on the installation process, click here for our General installation Manual.

Yes! Zehnder systems are suitable for retrofit applications. For more information, please fill out a Quote Request form and one of our salespeople will create a custom quote for your project.

Yes. While Zehnder systems are designed as stand-alone systems and will work more efficiently with their own distribution components, it is possible to tie into a central HVAC system if stand-alone installation cannot be achieved.

This method has a few drawbacks, including an overall lack of control over where fresh air is delivered. This can cause poor air distribution when the HVAC system is not running, especially in the bedrooms, and also stale air being drawn through the house to the HVAC return points.

When requesting a quote, please specify that existing HVAC ducting will be utilized, and your salesperson will create your quote accordingly.

Our sales team looks at a few factors when creating your custom quote. The total square footage of the home and the number of rooms where the system will extract air (bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms) determine what size unit will be required to maintain an optimal air exchange rate.

Whether the project will require an ERV or HRV unit, preheater, or optional components like a ComfoWell filter casing also depends on the climate where the project is located and factors like outside air quality. Our team will work with you to ensure that your quote will include the best system and distribution components for your needs.

Getting your free quote is easy! When you fill out the quote request form, be sure to upload your building plans in the space provided and add any special needs. One of our expert salespeople will review the plans and create a quote that includes the most suitable unit and distribution for your project.

Your quote will include a distribution plan for each room, indicating the size and type of register and the number of tubes it will require. There is plenty of built-in flexibility within the plan to choose the placement of the registers to accommodate electrical, plumbing and aesthetic needs.

The air distribution table on your quote will indicate the distribution components needed for each room, whether it will be a supply or exhaust run, and whether it’s a ceiling or wall installation.

Before ordering, you should review each room and decide where the registers will be placed. You should also determine the final location of the unit itself and the length of runs you will need from the ComfoWell to each room as well as from the unit to both the exterior vents and the ComfoWell. The quote includes ducting from a central location, but you should verify that the amount on the quote is adequate.

Need to change a ceiling register to a wall or vice versa? Thinking of adding an optional component or possibly using insulated metal ducting for the exterior sections? Your salesperson can discuss any changes or updates needed and revise your quote accordingly.

When you’re ready to order, make sure to verify that the quantities in the highlighted sections are enough to meet your needs.

To place an order for your Zehnder America quote, call our office at (603) 601-8544 ext. 0. You will pay in full at the time of order; please have the quote number and your payment information when you call. We accept credit cards over the phone. If you would like to pay by check or electronic transfer, let us know when you call, and we will verify all the order details; the order will be processed for shipping once funds are received.

If your quote came from one of our authorized distributors, you should place your order directly through them.

To order additional parts, call our office, and we can take your order and card information over the phone.

Yes. If you are using metal ducting to connect the unit to the exterior, it must be insulated. You can use non-insulated metal ducting between the unit and the ComfoWell as the air is conditioned once it passes through the unit. If you plan to use metal ducting, please contact your salesperson to ensure we have the properly sized components for your project.

If they are installed on the specified surface and can be accessed for commissioning and filter maintenance, registers can be placed anywhere on that surface. This gives the flexibility to work around structural, electrical and HVAC components.

It is preferable to keep the ducting runs as short as possible, so you should take that into consideration when placing your registers. Also, an 18’ square flow hood will be used during commissioning, so registers should be able to accommodate the hood.

You should keep runs as short as possible, with a 50’ maximum length.

Full system orders and bulky items will be palletized and shipped from our warehouse in Buffalo, New York via common carrier on a tractor-trailer. Shipping rates are determined by the size and weight of the shipment and the destination. Shipping rates fluctuate daily; the final shipping cost will be determined when the order is processed. Trucks will have a lift gate to assist with unloading, but your delivery site must be accessible for a 48-foot tractor-trailer.

If the site is on an island or otherwise not accessible by tractor-trailer, you will be responsible for having the material delivered to a safe drop-off location and for getting it from there to the job site.

Filters ordered from our website and most smaller parts orders will ship via UPS Ground. Please note that some items, such as units, silencers, ComfoTube and ComfoPipe must always ship via freight due to the bulk of the product.

We ship directly to Ontario and Quebec. Customers in other provinces can order directly from our authorized distributors in those provinces.

Canadian customers ordering directly from Zehnder America are responsible for securing a customs broker for all palletized orders (items shipping via UPS do not require a broker) as required by Canadian Law. Please have your broker information ready when you call to place your order as we cannot process the order without this information.

We will need the name of the broker as well as their email address and telephone number. All necessary documents will be supplied to the broker when your order is packed for shipping.

Commissioning is the quality assurance process of thoroughly verifying and proving that building systems are installed and operating according to the criteria in the original design and engineering documentation. The agent will measure the airflow at each register adjust, if needed, to keep the airflow within 10% of the design flow, which is the Passive House Standard.

Once the system is fully installed and ready to turn on, you will need to visit our website and fill out the Commissioning Request Form. You must be able to answer “yes” to all questions (with the exception of certifications if that doesn’t apply) before the system can be commissioned. Once the form is received, our Commissioning Manager will assign an agent to complete the commissioning, and the agent will contact you to schedule a mutually acceptable date and time. Please note that if the checklist is inaccurate and/or if the system is not ready for commissioning, you will be charged a $165 Not-Ready fee.

If you are installing a Q350, Q450 or Q600, the unit is self-balancing upon startup. If your system uses a CA unit, we have the flow hood available to rent for self-commissioning. Please call our office for more information.