Ontario Building Code 2025: How it Affects HVAC Retrofits
- martinbliss9
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
Ontario Building Code Changes Coming in 2025
Ontario’s Building Code is going through one of the biggest changes to building performance standards and requirements in 10 years. It will have big implications for electrification, low-carbon retrofits, and building energy compliance in existing commercial buildings in 2025 and beyond.
Until now, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) has primarily focused on new construction and renovation. However, after Ontario’s new climate and energy goals recently aligned with the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, the OBC 2025 requirements are targeting an even deeper retrofit market with updated energy codes and electrification incentives for existing commercial building systems and equipment.
Ontario’s building energy code updates for 2025 have meaningful implications for commercial building owners in Toronto and across the GTA. That’s because these code changes are finally moving beyond new construction and directly affect how we design and engineer HVAC retrofits, replacements, and upgrades for existing commercial buildings.
The 2025 OBC Changes Affecting HVAC Retrofits in 2025 and Beyond
OBC 2025 is going to affect retrofits and replacements of existing HVAC equipment through higher efficiency minimums for equipment replacement (mechanical systems section), mandatory energy modelling for larger retrofits or replacements, and more encouragement and enablement for electrification and heat pump HVAC options.
Here are the major changes that will affect your HVAC retrofits in 2025.
Tighter energy performance and efficiency requirements for building mechanical systems
Electrification and encouragement of heat pumps and VRF HVAC options
Building envelope and HVAC system coordination as a means of higher system performance
Who This New OBC 2025 Update Affects
Commercial building owners, owners corporations and tenants with buildings constructed before the 2012 building code.
Building owners corporations or commercial property managers in Toronto that may want to do a mechanical retrofit and upgrade in 2025 will have to deal with these new requirements when upgrading or retrofitting existing HVAC systems including:
Boilers, rooftop units, chillers
Air handling units and ductwork
Demand response and VRF systems
Heat pumps or hybrid systems
Coordination of building envelope changes with new HVAC system size and efficiency
Property Managers’ Guide to HVAC Retrofits After OBC 2025 Changes
Ontario’s 2025 Building Code changes are also important for property managers and building owners corporations who are in charge of buildings with multiple HVAC systems, and complex residential or commercial buildings.
Complex buildings with multiple HVAC units, air handling systems, boilers, and cooling systems must also be modeled for energy performance and compliance with 2025 changes to the OBC under SB-10 and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standards for larger buildings over 5000 square metres.
OBC 2025 Code Changes Impacting HVAC Retrofits
Ontario’s new OBC 2025 requirements will impact these sections of the building code related to energy compliance in commercial and residential retrofits:
Code Area | Impact on HVAC Retrofits |
SB-10 Energy Efficiency for Large Buildings | Aligns retrofit performance with ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standards |
Part 9 & 11 (Renovation and Alteration) | Expands retrofit requirements to include HVAC performance verification |
Mechanical Systems Section 6 | Adds heat pump and VRF efficiency testing protocols |
Building Envelope Coordination | HVAC sizing must now be modeled against improved insulation and window specs |
Commissioning & Verification | Post-installation testing and documentation become mandatory for certain project types |
Ontario Building Code 2025 Changes: Costs, Incentives, Rebates for HVAC Retrofits
While building owners and property managers may need to spend more upfront on a retrofitted or replaced HVAC system that meets the 2025 OBC minimums, the long-term financial and operational savings can far outweigh the initial investment.
Building owners and property managers can take advantage of these rebates and incentives:
Enbridge Gas Retrofit Incentives
Save on Energy Custom Retrofit Program
Canada Greener Buildings Initiative (CGBI) for larger retrofits
And when planned right, 2025 retrofits can be cost-neutral or even a cash-positive proposition within five years of project completion.
Costs of HVAC Retrofits in 2025 vs. OBC 2025 Minimums
Commercial and residential building owners and property managers may also need to do an energy efficiency or OBC compliance review before OBC 2025 requirements kick in for their next HVAC retrofit or replacement. One strategy for Toronto property managers and building owners is to prepare for OBC 2025 requirements by conducting an energy efficiency review or energy compliance audit ahead of time.
Energy modelling and documentation for retrofits of more than 5000 square metres will be a large focus on the Building Code 2025 for commercial and residential building owners, property managers, and corporations.
Ontario Building Code (OBC) 2025 Commercial HVAC Retrofits and Compliance
The Ontario Building Code’s new energy efficiency and compliance requirements are a significant development that’s going to affect HVAC retrofits in commercial buildings in 2025 and beyond.
Commercial and residential property managers and building owners need to stay ahead of the curve on these changes now or risk paying higher costs and missing out on Ontario government rebates and incentives for energy-efficient or high-efficiency HVAC systems.
Burban Air Systems Supports Your 2025 Commercial HVAC Retrofits
At Burban Air Systems, we’re one of the few HVAC system design and engineering firms that can help building owners and commercial property managers prepare for OBC 2025 requirements.
Our professional service teams specialize in new commercial HVAC system design and replacement, energy compliance reviews, efficiency assessments, and retro-commissioning services.
Contact Burban Air Systems today to schedule an OBC review or energy efficiency audit and start planning your 2025 HVAC retrofits now.
