Project Case Study: VRF System for Cannabis Facility Expansion
Project Overview
InnTech partnered with Refrigeration Energy Solutions Ltd. (RES) to support the HVAC system installation for the expansion of Medical Saints’ cannabis processing facility in Beamsville, Ontario. The expansion included new office, storage, and laboratory spaces, each with highly specific environmental requirements critical to cannabis manufacturing and storage.
The project required a complete design-to-supply HVAC solution capable of maintaining precise temperature and humidity conditions year-round. InnTech’s role focused on system design support, equipment selection, and delivery coordination to ensure the facility could meet regulatory, operational, and production demands within a compressed timeline.
Project Location: Beamsville, Ontario, Canada
Project Type: Add-on Air-Conditioning/Technical Cooling
Building Type: Industrial/Agricultural
Technology: Tosot VRF
1. The Challenge
Cannabis processing facilities present unique HVAC challenges due to their strict environmental requirements and operational sensitivity. In this case, the laboratory and production areas needed to be maintained at a constant 60°F year-round, a narrow and demanding temperature target that required precise system control and reliability.
The facility expansion also introduced contamination risks associated with airborne particulates generated during cannabis processing. Without proper system design, debris accumulation on HVAC coils and components could lead to reduced performance, increased maintenance, or unplanned downtime. Compounding these challenges, the expanded areas had no existing HVAC infrastructure, requiring a complete standalone system installation.
Finally, the project was moving on an accelerated schedule during a period of industry-wide R-410A refrigerant equipment scarcity, making equipment availability and supply chain coordination critical to maintaining the construction timeline.
2. Our Solution
InnTech supported the project from the early design stages by completing detailed room-by-room load calculations for the processing, laboratory, and office spaces. This analysis established the precise cooling and heating requirements needed to maintain the strict temperature conditions without oversizing or compromising efficiency.
Based on these requirements, a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system was selected to deliver accurate temperature control and flexible zoning. A total of 12 tons of capacity was deployed, divided across three independent VRF systems, each dedicated to a specific zone: processing, laboratory, and office areas. This zoning strategy allowed critical spaces to maintain the 60°F setpoint independently, without being influenced by adjacent areas with different operating conditions.
Humidity control was addressed through separate, dedicated equipment, allowing temperature and moisture levels to be managed independently. This separation was essential to achieving stable environmental conditions while protecting HVAC components from contamination-related performance issues.
To address supply chain constraints, InnTech worked closely with RES and supplier partners to confirm equipment availability and coordinate expedited delivery. This proactive approach ensured that the required R-410A equipment was secured and delivered in alignment with the fast-moving construction schedule.
3. Results & Impact
The completed HVAC system enabled the Medical Saints facility expansion to become operational on schedule while meeting all critical environmental requirements. The VRF-based design delivered stable, precise temperature control across all zones, including the challenging 60°F laboratory and processing areas, while maintaining appropriate humidity levels throughout the facility.
The zoning strategy and equipment selection improved operational reliability by reducing the risk of contamination-related issues and allowing continuous, uninterrupted operation in critical production environments. Through detailed technical planning, disciplined equipment selection, and coordinated supply chain execution, the project was delivered successfully, supporting Medical Saints’ production goals and compliance requirements.