How Much Does a Heat Loss Calculation Cost in Calgary?
A CSA F280 heat loss and heat gain calculation for a typical single-family home in Calgary starts at $400 with Ductscale, before GST. Across Canada, independent F280 calculations for a house commonly run about $400 to $600. The price goes up with the size of the home, the number of rooms and how complete the plans are. Equipment sizing and duct design cost more because they build on the calculation.
By the Ductscale design team. Reviewed by Raymond, founder and lead HVAC designer. Updated .
What changes the price
An F280 calculation works room by room, so the work grows with the house. Five things set most of the price.
- Size and number of rooms. Every room gets its own heat loss and heat gain, so a large custom home takes longer than a bungalow.
- How complete the plans are. A window schedule and insulation values make it quick. Missing details mean questions and assumptions.
- New build or existing home. New homes are modelled from plans. Existing homes may need measurements and photos first.
- Scope. A calculation only costs less than a package with equipment sizing and a duct layout.
- Changes. One round of revisions before permit is included. A redesign, like a new addition, is quoted separately.
Starting prices at Ductscale
These are starting prices for a typical single-family home, before GST. You get a fixed quote after we see the plans, and work starts only once you approve it.
- Heat loss and heat gain calculation (CSA F280): from $400
- Heat pump or furnace sizing, calculation included: from $500
- Duct design, when you already have a calculation: from $550
- Full permit package with calculation, sizing and duct design: from $900
- HVAC drafting, small jobs: from $250
Why some calculations cost less
Some installers include a load calculation in their equipment quote. That can be fine, but the company sizing the equipment is also the one selling it, so it is worth knowing how the number was worked out.
Online calculators and square-foot rules of thumb give a whole-house estimate. They do not give room-by-room loads, room airflows or a report formatted for a permit, and they are not a CSA F280 calculation.
What you should get for the price
Whoever does the calculation, a complete F280 report should include:
- Heat loss and heat gain for every room, plus the whole-house totals
- The inputs used: design temperatures, insulation values, window and door areas, and air leakage
- Supply airflow for every room, ready for duct design
- A summary sheet for the permit application
FAQ
Common questions
Is a separate calculation worth it if my installer includes one?
It often is when the equipment is expensive or the house is unusual, like a large custom home or a heat pump conversion. An independent calculation tells you whether the size on the quote fits the house before you sign.
Do you charge for a quote?
No. Send the plans and you get a fixed price and a delivery date at no cost.
How long does it take?
Most single-family homes take 3 to 5 business days. Larger custom homes and renovations get a firm date with the quote.