# VFD Upgrade Commercial HVAC Toronto | RTU Toronto Pros

> VFD upgrade commercial HVAC Toronto: fans, pumps and chillers, $8K-$40K per unit, 2-5 days. Save on Energy rebate filed. 24-hour written quote.

URL: https://rooftopunitstoronto.ca/vfd-upgrade-commercial-hvac-toronto/

![Variable frequency drive panels beside supply fans in a Toronto mechanical room](/images/misc/variable-frequency-drive-panels-mounted-beside-lar.webp)

$8K-$40K per Unit | 2-5 Days

# VFD Upgrades on Fans, Pumps and Chillers, $8K-$40K per Unit

Last updated: October 24, 2026

Variable frequency drive retrofits on supply fans, pumps, towers and chillers.

-   High hydro demand charges
-   Constant-speed fans at part load
-   Motor wear
-   Pump noise
-   Throttled balancing valves

Book a Site Assessment

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

View Pricing

[#pricing →](#pricing)

24-Hour Written Quote

From $8,000 per unit

-   Parts, labour, crane, permit + HST on one line
-   2-4 hr on-roof emergency response, GTA core
-   Save on Energy rebate filed on qualifying work

Red Seal HVAC-RTSSA G1 + G2ESA + CRE$5M + WSIB

24/7 Dispatch (437) TBD

[tel:+14370000000 →](tel:+14370000000)

-   24-Hour Written Quote (not a sales pitch)
-   24/7 Emergency RTU Dispatch (2-4 hr on-roof GTA core)
-   Red Seal HVAC-R + TSSA + ESA + CRE Chiller
-   $5M Liability + WSIB + COI in 24 Hours
-   Save on Energy Rebate Filed on Your Behalf

1,800+

GTA installs

97%

Uptime

2-4 hr

On-roof, GTA core

48

Sites under contract

Symptoms first

## Is Your Equipment Showing These Signs?

Constant-speed fans and pumps running flat out at part load waste hydro. VFD retrofits on fans, pumps, cooling tower fans and chillers run $8K-$40K per unit in 2-5 days, often rebate-eligible.

-   High hydro demand charges
-   Constant-speed fans at part load
-   Motor wear
-   Pump noise
-   Throttled balancing valves

Seeing one of these? 

Book a site assessment

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 or call dispatch for a 2-4 hour on-roof visit in the GTA core.

## Why Constant-Speed Fans and Pumps Waste Hydro

Most fans and pumps in 

commercial HVAC

[/ →](/)

 were designed for the hottest or coldest day of the year. The rest of the time they still run at full speed, with dampers or balancing valves throttling the flow. That is like driving with the gas pedal flat and the brake half on.

A **variable frequency drive** (VFD) lets the motor slow down when full flow is not needed. Because fan and pump power drops sharply as speed drops, even a modest speed reduction cuts energy use substantially. That is where the **part-load efficiency** gains come from.

## Where VFDs Pay Back Fastest

| Application | Why it works |
| --- | --- |
| Supply and return fans on large RTUs and air handlers | Airflow varies with load and occupancy |
| Hydronic circulation pumps | Throttled valves replaced by speed control |
| Condenser water pumps | Flow matched to chiller load |
| Cooling tower fans | Fan speed matched to heat rejection |
| Chillers (variable speed) | Better part-load performance |

Signs a building is a good candidate: high **demand charges** on the hydro bill, balancing valves pinched half closed, noisy pumps and fans that run at one speed all day.

## What a VFD Retrofit Includes

-   Drive sizing for the motor and application
-   Electrical installation by our ESA-licensed crew, with bypass where needed
-   **Harmonics** management with filters or line reactors when the electrical system needs it
-   Controls integration over **BACnet** or **Modbus**
-   Before-and-after logging of motor load and run hours

On smaller fans, an **ECM motor** is often a better fit than a separate VFD. We recommend whichever pays back.

## How Much Does a VFD Upgrade Cost?

**$8K-$40K per unit, installed in 2-5 days.** Many retrofits qualify for 

Save on Energy

[/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/ →](/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/)

 incentives, filed before the drive is ordered and netted on your invoice.

## VFDs as Part of Bigger Projects

VFDs often ride along with plant work: tower fans during 

cooling tower service

[/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/)

, pumps during 

mechanical room retrofits

[/high-rise-mechanical-room-hvac-toronto/ →](/high-rise-mechanical-room-hvac-toronto/)

, and variable-speed upgrades during 

commercial chiller service

[/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/)

. Doing them together saves a shutdown and simplifies the rebate filing.

Published pricing

## How Much Does VFD Upgrades Cost in Toronto?

Ranges from recent GTA jobs. Your written quote lands within 24 hours with parts, labour, crane, permit and HST on one line, and rebate-net pricing where the work qualifies.

25/50/25 payment on installs: 25% at order, 50% on install day, 25% on commissioning sign-off. Net-30 for commercial and PM accounts. 

See all pricing

[/pricing/ →](/pricing/)

.

### VFD Upgrades pricing

CAD + HST

| Service | Price | Timeline |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VFD upgrade per unit | $8K-$40K | 2-5 days |
| Save on Energy rebate filing | Included | 4-8 wk approval |

Free tools

## Try Our Free RTU Energy Cost Estimator

Two minutes, no email required. Results show on screen first.

### RTU Energy Cost Estimator

Compare the yearly cooling electricity cost of your existing rooftop unit with a high-efficiency replacement.

Use the calculator

[RTU Energy Cost Estimator →](/tools/energy-cost-estimator/)

Why property teams pick us

## Why Choose Rooftop Units Toronto Pros for VFD Upgrades?

### Mechanical + electrical

ESA-licensed electrical work and HVAC controls by one crew, so the drive and the system work together.

### Measured savings

Motor load and run hours logged before and after so savings are documented.

### Rebate filed

Save on Energy pre-approval filed before the drive is ordered.

### BAS-ready

Drives integrated over BACnet or Modbus for speed control and alarms.

Field photos

## Our VFD Upgrades Work

Recent GTA rooftops and mechanical rooms. Click any photo to enlarge.

### Before + After

![Constant-speed pump with a throttled valve](/images/cards/constant-speed-pump-motor-with-a-throttled-balanci.webp)

Before

![Same pump with a VFD at reduced speed](/images/cards/same-pump-with-a-new-vfd-running-at-reduced-speed-.webp)

After

VFD retrofits run $8K-$40K per unit in 2-5 days and often qualify for Save on Energy.

Client Records

## What Clients Say About Our VFD Upgrades

> "VFDs on our tower fans and condenser pumps paid off faster than expected, and the Save on Energy filing was handled for us."

MOMartin O.Chief engineer, North York office

> "Our reserve fund study flagged the pumps and boiler. They turned it into a phased plan the board could approve in one meeting."

ASArjun S.Property manager, Willowdale

> "Pump noise disappeared once the VFDs were in and the throttling valves opened up."

HYHassan Y.Plant manager, Mississauga

> "Spring startup and fall layup on our condo chiller and tower are now one contract with one report. No more finger-pointing between trades."

ERElaine R.Property manager, Yorkville

> "Clear before-and-after energy numbers on every drive. That made the next phase quick to approve."

LHLisa H.Director of operations, GTA retail REIT

## RTU offline or chiller alarm?

Red Seal tech on the roof in 2-4 hrs across the GTA core. Call (437) TBD.

(437) TBD

[tel:+14370000000 →](tel:+14370000000)

 

Emergency Service

[/emergency-rooftop-unit-repair-toronto/ →](/emergency-rooftop-unit-repair-toronto/)

Buyer questions

## VFD Upgrades FAQs

Still have a question?

A Red Seal lead answers, not a call centre. Written quote within 24 hours.

Book a Site Assessment

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

(437) TBD

[tel:+14370000000 →](tel:+14370000000)

### How much does a VFD upgrade cost?

VFD retrofits run $8K-$40K per unit, depending on motor size, application, bypass needs and controls integration. Most installs take 2-5 days.

### Where do VFDs save the most energy?

On fans and pumps that run at constant speed but only need full flow part of the time: supply and return fans, hydronic circulation pumps, condenser water pumps and cooling tower fans. Because fan and pump power drops sharply with speed, modest speed reductions save a lot.

### Do VFDs qualify for Save on Energy?

Often, yes. We file the pre-approval before ordering and net the incentive on your invoice.

### What about harmonics?

VFDs can introduce electrical harmonics. We size drives with appropriate filtering or line reactors where the building's electrical system needs it.

### Can VFDs be added to existing rooftop units?

On many larger RTUs with belt-driven supply fans, yes. Smaller units are often better served by ECM motors or a newer unit with variable-speed fans.

### Do you integrate VFDs with our BAS?

Yes. Drives communicate over BACnet or Modbus for speed control, status and alarms.

### What is an ECM motor and when is it better?

An ECM (electronically commutated) motor has built-in variable speed. It is often the better choice on smaller fans where a separate VFD is not cost effective.

### How do you prove the savings?

We log motor load and run hours before and after, then report the change. That data also supports rebate claims.

Keep the whole roof covered

## Related Services

![New high-efficiency rooftop units on a Mississauga roof with a rebate application](/images/misc/new-high-efficiency-packaged-rooftop-units-on-a-mi.webp)

[/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/ →](/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/)

### 

Save on Energy Retrofit

[/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/ →](/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/)

Pre-audit, application and rebate netted against your invoice on qualifying HVAC retrofits.

Details + pricing

[/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/ →](/save-on-energy-retrofit-toronto/)

 

![Centrifugal chiller in a downtown Toronto tower mechanical room](/images/misc/large-centrifugal-chiller-in-a-downtown-toronto-to.webp) From $30,000

[/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/)

### 

Commercial Chiller Service

[/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/)

Centrifugal, screw and absorption chiller repair, retube and replacement by CRE-ticketed techs.

Details + pricing

[/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-chiller-service-toronto/)

 

![Induced draft cooling tower on a Toronto office roof](/images/misc/induced-draft-cooling-tower-on-a-toronto-office-bu.webp) From $12,000

[/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/)

### 

Commercial Cooling Tower Service

[/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/)

Fill replacement, basin cleaning, water treatment and fan work on BAC, Marley and Evapco towers.

Details + pricing

[/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/ →](/commercial-cooling-tower-service-toronto/)

## Don't See Your GTA City?

Coverage from Toronto to Pearson, Mississauga to Markham. Call 

(437) TBD

[tel:+14370000000 →](tel:+14370000000)

 for a 24-hour written quote.

All Service Areas

[/service-areas/ →](/service-areas/)

 

Get a Written Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

![Packaged rooftop units on a Toronto commercial roof at dusk](/images/misc/toronto-commercial-rooftop-at-dusk-with-a-row-of-p.webp)

24/7 dispatch | 2-4 hr on-roof GTA core

## Ready to Book VFD Upgrades?

Site assessment, then a written quote within 24 hours. Parts, labour, crane, permit and HST on one line.

Book a Site Assessment

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

Call (437) TBD

[tel:+14370000000 →](tel:+14370000000)

-   24-hour written quote
-   Save on Energy filed for you
-   Red Seal + TSSA + ESA + CRE
-   $5M liability + WSIB