Mohit Gera is our Canadian Service Manager, overseeing the service and commissioning of various Small Planet Supply products. His responsibilities include:

• Commissioning Zehnder systems

• Conducting maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting for Zehnder products

• Providing TECA ventilation certifications for ventilation systems

• Managing SANCO2 startup and commissioning, as well as offering remote troubleshooting support to customers

Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Mohit Gera. We discussed the nature of his work and the challenges he faces specifically while providing Zehnder service for both single-family and multi-family units.

Given your experience with Zehnder multi-family commissioning and repair in Vancouver, BC, what distinguishes working on multi-family properties from single-family homes?

There are two aspects to this question: commissioning and service.  In regard to Zehnder commissioning, multi-family commissionings are usually easier for me as the properties are often vacant and there are no customer schedules or furnishings to work around. 

In a single-family commissioning, the house is often full of furniture and other items, so I need to be especially mindful of that while working, and customers normally stay with me during the whole time. They want to know what I am doing and how I am doing it.  This makes sense, because they are excited about their new system.  It just can be harder at times because of the concentration required to complete the commissioning process.

The second aspect of my Zehnder work here in British Columbia is service calls.  Service calls in multifamily projects can be difficult because those are the least maintained properties.  I’ve found HRVs in very poor condition in multi-family projects compared to single-family installations.

I’m curious about your observations on the condition of HRVs in multi-family installations compared to single-family ones. Why do you think they tend to be in poorer condition?

Initial problems can start at installation.  If an installer isn’t experienced, they don't know what they're doing and may make easily avoidable mistakes during the install.  

Multi-family projects can have difficulty in maintenance because there are so many different people who are involved before the first occupants even move into the building.   First, there is a system design, then there are handoffs from the installer to the building owner and then again to the building maintenance team. This can result in the maintenance team for a multi-family building not being aware of how the units operate, much less the optimal maintenance schedule. 

When building managers do arrange for maintenance, such as filters changes, sometimes the tenants don’t want to let you in. The tenants may now know what an HRV system does for them, so it isn’t not as important to them to ensure that their unit’s HRV has clean filters and is performing well.

Because Zehnder systems are so quiet, indicators that the systems aren’t running as efficiently can be easy to miss.  If it has been a number of years and there is a lot of contaminants in the unit that need to be filtered, the unit will suddenly start making a lot of noise, which is bad news.  It can mean that a fan has broken and then the unit will need service.  If it is a motor fan the part and installation cost can run to $850.00, not including travel time, which could be equivalent to buying a set of filters for every unit in the building (depending on building size).

What key points should property managers keep in mind if their building is equipped with Zehnder HRV systems?

To ensure that the Zehnder HRV system is working optimally, property managers should assign a specific budget for the maintenance of their systems, including filter replacements. Doing basic maintenance is cost-effective and ensures that building occupants will enjoy the freshest air in their homes and that the building owner’s investment in optimal ventilation is protected.   This may mean educating tenants why it is important to allow maintenance personnel, whether the on-site maintenance team or an outside contractor, to come inside their unit to quickly change the filters twice a year.  Property managers should also provide basic knowledge to the occupants, like to turn ON the boost switch before entering for the shower, to prevent mold build up.

How can Small Planet Supply help building owners in British Columbia keep their building’s Zehnder systems running smoothly?

Small Planet Supply can provide both Zehnder filters and a filter change and/or maintenance service for their entire property. Enrolling in our Zehnder maintenance program means there’s one less thing for the building management team to deal with and the work is being done by a Zehnder system expert. If a company is interested in starting this service, they can call our Vancouver warehouse or shoot me an email.  Multifamily customers can also enroll with our subscription for the Zehnder filter replacement program.

Zehnder systems are just one piece of the work you do. What parts of your job do you find most enjoyable?

I enjoy brainstorming solutions for problems whether in the office or on-site. I enjoy representing our company to customers in the field and I always want to make their experience better with us.

I also thrive on challenging situations like troubleshooting technical issues. For example- working with DDC/BMS system which are installed on multifamily projects to interact with our controller. Lastly, I enjoy the travelling part of my job too.

What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

It’s difficult when I can’t find the reason why something isn’t working, when it should.  It’s also frustrating when a problem can’t be replicated that a customer has reported, which can make it difficult to solve their issue.

You are actually trained as an engineer.  What advantages do you think that provides you in providing service?

Being an engineer, I enjoy the troubleshooting part of the job, whether it is a Zehnder HRV or ERV system or a SANCO2 heat pump water heater. I usually start with identifying the root cause of the problems during my service visit, which makes solving the problem satisfying and easier.

For more information about service support available in British Columbia go to our BC services page or call our Vancouver British Columbia Office at (778) 379-8700.