Know what to ask for after a heat-pump installation: startup records, controls, filters, warranties and follow-up. A Greater Vancouver homeowner checklist.
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Updated 2026-09-17 · CANRO Heating & Cooling
Commissioning is the check that the installed equipment operates as intended, using the manufacturer’s procedures. It is more than switching the system on and feeling air at a vent. BC Hydro’s contractor guide identifies refrigerant, airflow, power and controls checks as part of completing a heat-pump retrofit.
You do not need to perform or interpret live electrical or refrigerant tests yourself. Ask the contractor to explain the completed record in plain language. If something cannot be checked under the day’s conditions, ask what remains outstanding, why it is deferred and when it will be completed. A specific follow-up is more useful than an unexplained tick beside “tested”.
Keep a copy of the final quote beside the installation invoice. Check the listed outdoor unit, indoor unit or heads, and controller. If equipment changed after you accepted the proposal, ask for the revised model details and the reason for the substitution. A similar brand or capacity name does not establish that it is the same system combination.
For a multi-zone installation, label the records by room. For a ducted system, identify the indoor coil or air handler and any retained furnace. This makes later service requests much clearer and helps avoid ordering a part from an incomplete model description.
Ask which startup sheet or manufacturer procedure the installer used and request a copy of the completed results. The relevant readings depend on the system. BC Hydro’s installation-quality checklist, for example, includes indoor equipment identification and measured versus rated external static pressure for ducted equipment. Not every line applies to every installation.
Keep these questions separate from judging the installer’s competence by a number found online. Different equipment and test conditions require different interpretations. The useful outcome is a documented check against the applicable specification, with an explanation of anything outside it.
Ask the installer to show you how to select heating, cooling and the normal operating mode; adjust the temperature; and understand the fan setting. Try the controls yourself during the demonstration. Confirm what to do if the display shows a warning and which settings should be left to a technician.
If your home has backup heat or several indoor units, ask how they coordinate. Write down the intended operating approach rather than changing advanced settings later to match an unrelated online video. For connected controls, make sure the homeowner has the appropriate account access and knows where the manufacturer’s instructions are stored.
Ask to see the homeowner-accessible filter and record its size or part number, cleaning or replacement instructions, and the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. A concealed ducted unit may have a different access arrangement from a wall-mounted head. Know which panel you may open for routine care and which covers must remain closed.
Have the installer point out the condensate discharge and explain what normal operation looks like for the arrangement. Also confirm how to keep service access clear. In a townhouse or condo, note any common-property access that requires building-management coordination; do not assume you can open a locked mechanical area.
This is a handover checklist, not a DIY commissioning procedure. Do not open electrical compartments, connect pressure gauges, adjust refrigerant charge or bypass safety controls. Report water leakage, repeated breaker trips or unusual burning smells promptly and keep clear of wet electrical equipment.
Keep the owner’s manual, warranty terms, invoice, equipment identifiers and service contact in one folder. Ask whether product registration is required, who will complete it and how you will receive confirmation. Distinguish manufacturer parts coverage from the installer’s labour terms.
Ask which permits or inspections apply to the agreed work, who arranged them and whether anything remains open. The applicable authority and process depend on the location and scope. Do not treat this checklist as proof that a permit has been issued or an inspection passed.
If a rebate is part of the project, record the program name, application reference, document responsibilities and relevant deadlines. Eligibility is determined by the administrator. Keep a copy of what was submitted and do not assume a paid installation invoice automatically triggers a rebate payment.
This record is a homeowner aid. It does not replace a manufacturer startup sheet, permit document, warranty or program form. Store both the simple summary and the original documents so that future service does not depend on memory.
Note comfort concerns with the room, time, outdoor conditions and thermostat settings. “Upstairs was uncomfortable in the afternoon while downstairs was comfortable” gives the service provider more to investigate than “the heat pump is bad”. Photograph any alert and avoid changing multiple advanced settings before reporting it.
Agree how installation-related follow-up will be handled. If a control explanation, document or access panel is missing, put that item in writing with the person responsible. Do not accept repeated resets as a substitute for investigating a returning fault.
Ask CANRO to explain the equipment, installation scope, startup checks and homeowner handover in your written proposal.
📞 (604) 359-1081Request a quoteContinue with our ducted-versus-ductless comparison, thermostat guide or maintenance guide.
Sources checked 2026-09-17. Equipment manuals and program terms can change. Use the documentation for your exact model or application.
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