This website is a guide and is not intended to replace professional advice. Please see our disclaimer for more information!
Construction Catalogue
System Upgrades
This category houses all of the building blocks that pertain to upgrading the working systems of a multiplex.
Use the side navigation panel or click on any of the icons below to access the respective plan drawings, sizing guidelines, tips & tricks, and pricing suggestions!
Electrical Upgrades
Mechanical Upgrades
Water Mainline Upgrades
Hot Water System Upgrades
Electrical Upgrades
Most houses will have either a 60amp or 100amp panel. When you add more units, it will increase the amount of electricity you need to power your house. To increase the amount of power you will need to upgrade your electrical panel. Some upgrades are more complicated than others, you can read more below about the different upgrade options. You need to consult an electrical engineer or licensed electrician to determine what level of service you will need.
100amp Service
This is the lowest service you can upgrade to. If you are adding more than one unit you will likely need to upgrade to a higher service than 100amps
200amp Service
This service level will give you the most flexibility without having to deal with the complexities of upgrading to 400amp service. This is a great option if you are considering having 2-3 units in your multiplex, or considering switching to all electric utilities in your house
400amp Service
This service level will allow you to maximize the number of units in your house and consider electrification for all your utilities. When you upgrade to 400amp service it requires you to get a
transformer
and upgrade the wiring in your house. This is a substantial expense and can be a complicated process.
Mechanical Upgrades
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. You may need to retrofit or upgrade your HVAC system when you add more units. If you do, you have a few options which we have outlined below. When making this decision we we recommend you take a look at our ‘Choose the right systems’ page to help inform you about your options.
Upgrade your existing gas system
Upgrade to a hybrid system
Water Mainline Upgrades
The water main is the line that connects the supply of your water for your house to the City’s water supply system. How big your water mainline is determines how many fixtures you are able to service in your house. This work will be done in coordination with your municipality. Two common options for upgrading are outlined below. You should consult a plumber to confirm what size of water main upgrade you may need.
Upgrade to 3/4” Water Main
Upgrade to 1” Water Main
If you are going to upgrade, consider a 1" line as it gives you more flexibility long term.
Hot Water System Upgrades
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Hot Water System Upgrades
When you add new units to your house, it is likely you will need to upgrade your hot water system to make sure all your units get adequate hot water. There are a few options to consider when upgrading outlined below.
Upgrade your gas boiler
Upgrade to an electric boiler
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For certainty, ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners provides no representation or warranty regarding any use of or reliance upon this website, including any representation or warranty that this website complies with applicable laws (including any applicable zoning by-laws or building code requirements) and any representation or warranty that any cost estimates included in or based upon this website have been validated by the applicable market. Any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose shall be at such person’s sole risk and ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners shall have no liability or responsibility for any such use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose. Prior to any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose, consultation with a professional architect duly licensed in the applicable jurisdiction is strongly recommended.
For certainty, ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners provides no representation or warranty regarding any use of or reliance upon this website, including any representation or warranty that this website complies with applicable laws (including any applicable zoning by-laws or building code requirements) and any representation or warranty that any cost estimates included in or based upon this website have been validated by the applicable market. Any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose shall be at such person’s sole risk and ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners shall have no liability or responsibility for any such use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose. Prior to any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose, consultation with a professional architect duly licensed in the applicable jurisdiction is strongly recommended.
