AirZone ComfortSpan™ Ducted and Ductless Heat Pump System
Custom Heat Pump System Design Specifically For Ottawa Homes
An AirZone-designed comfort system
One heat pump. Two comfort paths.
ComfortSpan™ is AirZone’s custom ducted and ductless heat pump system. One compatible cold-climate outdoor unit serves your central forced-air system and as many as four additional ductless zones—ideal for bedroom comfort, insulated garages, finished basements and other spaces that need their own heating and cooling. Every configuration is created for the home by AirZone’s in-house certified HVAC designer.
The furnace/plenum attachment counts as one of up to five total indoor zones.
Why AirZone developed ComfortSpan™
More outdoor capacity does not mean your ducts can carry more air.
Many Ottawa homes have a heating load that supports a larger cold-climate heat pump, but the existing ductwork can safely and comfortably handle only a smaller central airflow.
With a conventional central installation, that duct capacity can become the ceiling. Installing a larger outdoor unit and forcing all of its output through undersized ducts can create noise, comfort and performance problems. Simply choosing a bigger heat pump is not the answer. A properly engineered ducted and ductless heat pump can be—when each path serves a real part of the home’s load.
The ComfortSpan™ difference
AirZone divides the system into two properly designed delivery paths. The central branch remains matched to the home’s forced-air system, while the ductless branch can serve one or more rooms or areas that benefit from direct heating and cooling.
How the system works
Central comfort and room-by-room control from one AirZone system.
ComfortSpan™ is not tied to one heat-pump manufacturer. AirZone selects compatible ducted and ductless components based on the home’s load, layout, control priorities, current equipment eligibility and long-term value.
The central path serves the home
A compatible indoor component is integrated with the furnace and plenum so the existing duct system distributes heat-pump heating and cooling through the main living areas.
The direct path serves up to four more zones
Separate refrigerant line sets can serve as many as four ductless indoor units in bedrooms, insulated garages, basements, additions, upper levels, home offices or other spaces that need individual comfort control.
The outdoor unit balances every connected zone
The variable-capacity outdoor heat pump modulates and shares its available capacity across the connected indoor zones instead of sending every bit of airflow through the central ducts.
A current opportunity, not the reason for the design
Comfort comes first. Current rebates can add value.
At the time of publication, Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program calculates cold-climate air-source heat-pump incentives using the qualified system’s rated heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°F). When a properly sized ComfortSpan™ design supports more eligible capacity than a conventional ducted-only installation, the available rebate may increase. Program rates, equipment eligibility and availability may change or end in the future.
| Primary heating source | Qualified 2-ton example | Qualified 3-ton example | Potential difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enbridge natural gas | $1,000 | $1,500 | +$500 |
| Electric resistance, oil, propane or wood | $2,500 | $3,750 | +$1,250 |
The rebate is based on verified capacity—not the label on the quote.
A “3-ton” example assumes 36,000 BTU/h of eligible rated heating capacity at 8.3°C. The actual rebate is calculated from the approved equipment combination and current program rules.
Current program maximums are up to $2,000 for an owned system in an eligible Enbridge natural gas home and up to $7,500 for an eligible electric-resistance, oil, propane or wood-heated home.
Where it makes sense
Is your home a good ComfortSpan™ candidate?
The best fit is a home where central ducts still have value, but bedrooms, a garage or another part of the property would benefit from separate heating and cooling.
Bedroom comfort for better sleep
Create a separate heating and cooling zone for a primary bedroom, upper-floor bedroom or any sleeping area that never matches the rest of the home.
Existing ductwork with an airflow limit
The central system may be best matched to a smaller capacity than the home’s combined load.
A furnace worth keeping
In eligible natural gas or propane homes, the furnace may remain as the central blower and backup heat source when the approved configuration allows it.
Heating and cooling for a garage
An insulated garage, workshop or home gym can become its own comfort zone without extending the home’s central duct system into the space.
Engineered properly from the start
This is not a rebate loophole or an oversized central system.
ComfortSpan™ is a mixed-zone HVAC design built around the home’s real heating and cooling requirements. Each dedicated zone gives the additional capacity a legitimate comfort job, while the central side remains matched to the available ductwork.
Every proposed configuration must meet manufacturer requirements and current program rules. That includes proper sizing, whole-home heat distribution, compatible indoor and outdoor components, active NRCan eligibility where required and approval before installation.
AirZone-designed from the inside out
Custom equipment, zoning and controls for the way you want to live.
ComfortSpan™ is an AirZone system—not a rebadged manufacturer package. Our in-house certified HVAC designer selects and matches the components, zone capacities and control strategy for each specific Ottawa home.
Up to five total indoor zones
The furnace/plenum attachment is the central zone. When the home and selected equipment support it, AirZone can add as many as four independently controlled ductless zones.
Certified HVAC system design
Loads, airflow, duct capacity, room requirements and component compatibility are reviewed together instead of relying on a generic equipment package.
Standard 24-volt thermostat
Choose a regular compatible 24-volt thermostat for familiar operation, broad replacement flexibility and a lower control cost.
Communicating thermostat
Choose a communicating control when you want the strongest coordination, equipment feedback and performance available from the selected system.
The AirZone design process
An in-house certified HVAC designer creates the system for your home.
Home assessment
We review the furnace, ductwork, electrical service, room layout and current comfort concerns.
Certified design review
Our in-house HVAC designer establishes the home’s heating and cooling needs and what the central ducts can properly carry.
Mixed-zone design
We assign capacity to the central path, design up to four additional zones and compare the best thermostat strategy.
Eligibility check
We verify equipment eligibility and submit the required program information before installation.
Installation and commissioning
Our in-house team installs, starts and tests the complete system for balanced operation.
ComfortSpan™ questions
What Ottawa homeowners should know.
Is ComfortSpan™ simply an oversized heat pump?
No. An oversized central heat pump can perform poorly when the ductwork cannot handle its airflow. ComfortSpan™ assigns the outdoor unit’s capacity across a properly matched central path and a separate ductless path, based on the home’s combined load and comfort requirements.
Does the furnace still heat the home?
It can, depending on the approved configuration and the home’s existing heating fuel. In many natural gas or propane applications, the furnace remains available for backup or supplemental heat and supports central air distribution. AirZone will explain the operating strategy recommended for your home.
How many zones can a ComfortSpan™ system include?
ComfortSpan™ can be designed with up to five total indoor zones when the home and selected components support them. The furnace/plenum attachment counts as the central zone, leaving the possibility of up to four additional ductless zones with independent control.
Where can the additional ductless indoor units be installed?
Each direct zone should solve a genuine comfort need. Primary bedrooms, upper-floor bedrooms, finished basements, additions, family rooms, home offices and insulated garages are strong possibilities. Placement depends on the load calculation, line-set routes and selected component requirements.
Can ComfortSpan™ heat and cool a garage?
Yes, an insulated garage or workshop can often be designed as one of the direct ductless zones. Its own indoor unit can condition the space without extending the home’s central duct system into the garage. Suitability depends on insulation, air sealing, the calculated load, electrical capacity, line-set routing and approved equipment placement.
Can ComfortSpan™ use a regular 24-volt thermostat?
Yes. AirZone can design the system around a regular compatible 24-volt thermostat for familiar controls, replacement flexibility and a lower control cost. A communicating thermostat can also be selected when the homeowner prioritizes the strongest equipment coordination, system feedback and performance. Our designer will explain the cost-versus-control difference for the proposed system.
How is the heat-pump rebate calculated?
Under the current Home Renovation Savings Program, cold-climate air-source heat-pump rebates are calculated using the eligible system’s total rated heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°F), subject to the rate and maximum for the home’s primary heating fuel and all other program requirements.
Is the rebate guaranteed?
No contractor should guarantee a government or utility rebate before eligibility and approval are confirmed. Rebates are currently available, but rates, equipment status and program rules can change or end in the future. AirZone verifies the proposed combination, prepares the required documentation and submits the pre-installation application before eligible work begins.
Can every home use this ducted and ductless heat pump design?
No. The home must have a suitable central system, practical locations for the required direct indoor zones, enough justified load for the combined capacity and a compatible eligible equipment match. A conventional central or ductless heat pump may be the better option when those conditions are not present.
Designed for the home you actually have
Find out whether ComfortSpan™ can improve your comfort, control and current rebate value.
AirZone’s in-house certified HVAC designer will assess your ductwork, plan up to five total zones—including bedroom or garage comfort where appropriate—and compare standard 24-volt and communicating controls clearly.
Rebates are available under the Home Renovation Savings Program at the time of publication, but rates, eligible equipment, requirements and program availability may change or end without notice. Eligibility depends on the home, existing heating source, approved equipment combination, contractor participation, pre-installation approval and all current program terms. Oil-heated homes are subject to additional transition and tank requirements. ComfortSpan™ is an AirZone HVAC Services system design. Heat-pump components, connected-zone limits, performance ratings, controls and warranties vary according to the equipment selected for the home.