What You Need to Know About Skymark HVAC Replacements in Your Condo

If you live in a Toronto or GTA condo built between the 1990s and 2010, chances are you have an original Skymark HVAC unit tucked away in a closet space, far from your main living area.

Skymark International was known for developing self-contained R-Skymark units specifically for multi-family buildings — and for a while, they were considered one of the best in the industry.

However, over the years, Skymark stopped manufacturing these models. For a period, Johnson Controls provided direct replacement options, but they eventually discontinued production as well, partly due to changes in TSSA gas regulations in Canada. This left many condo owners without a reliable, direct replacement option for their aging Skymark units.

The Current Situation for Condo Owners with Skymark Units

Today, many Skymark systems are 15+ years old. Despite their age, some components are still fully serviceable, offering owners the opportunity to extend their system’s life by up to another 10 years with proper maintenance, refurbishment, and repairs.

However, replacing your older Skymark HVAC system comes with distinct advantages.
Here’s what we've heard directly from clients who have continued to operate their older units:

• Heat exchanger is more prone to receive a red tag due to CO leaks after 15 years
• Noticeably loud noise, especially during air conditioning mode.
• System inefficiency during cooling season
• Obsolete R-22 refrigerant is costly and difficult to source if AC compartment needs servicing.
• Longer lead times for repairs, and the need to rely on universal parts due to limited availability.

Over time, older Skymark units naturally become less efficient, louder, and more prone to system failure — making replacement a smart consideration.‍

Is There a Reliable Skymark HVAC Replacement Available?

Yes, but there are a few important things you should know before starting:

• Modern Skymark replacement solutions typically consist of three separate components assembled at your home:
  1. Custom Condenser
  2. Case Coil
  3. Residential Gas Furnace
• One of these components is custom-manufactured.
• Custom components are more expensive and require more specialized installation & servicing due to proprietary parts.
• Lead time is approximately 6 to 8 weeks to manufacture the custom components.
• Greater care and attention are needed during production to meet air conditioning performance specifications.
• Replacement units are generally quieter than older models.
• Heating parts are readily available and come with a 10-year parts warranty.
• Cooling compressors come with a 5-year warranty.
  

Challenges with Installing or Servicing a New Skymark Unit

Replacing a Skymark system isn’t always straightforward. Some important challenges include:

• Custom Sizing: Original Skymark units came in a range of dimensions. To avoid extensive renovation work, a direct-fit solution is ideal.
• Ventilation Requirements: New systems require two 2-inch PVC pipes for intake and exhaust to meet updated gas code requirements. Some condo boards prohibit exterior modifications, which can legally block installation unless special permissions are granted.
• Electrical Upgrades:
  New systems often require different electrical specifications compared to original Skymark models. A licensed electrician is typically needed to complete the upgrade.
• Installation Timeline:
  Installation is a two-day process — longer than typical HVAC swaps — due to the complexity of assembling and calibrating the new system on-site.
• Installation Costs:
  Skymark HVAC Installation & Replacement costs typically range between $14,000 to $17,000 depending on model and project scope.
• Service & Maintenance:
  New Skymark units require HVAC maintenance like other Heating & Air conditioning systems. We recommend semi-annual maintenance. If you’d have a balcony, you may have to deal with a higher costs in maintenance due difficulty access the back of your unit.

Our Solution

Powered by Home Trade Standards, we specialize in retrofitting or servicing condo owners with aging Skymark units. We can help with most Skymark Models SGAC, SGAD, SEAG, RGAD, READ, SGAE & SEAE Retrofit Solutions Available!

Here’s how we support you:

• Retrofit and Repair Options: Extend the life of your existing Skymark unit with professional repairs when appropriate.
• Minimal Construction: Wherever possible, we minimize disruption and avoid major structural changes.
• Tailored Solutions: We recommend either repairs or full replacements depending on your unit’s condition, budget, and long-term priorities.
• Flexible Warranties: Enjoy peace of mind with product warranties ranging from 1 to 10 years depending on the chosen solution.

Why Act Now?

• Avoid Peak-Season Failures: Replacing or refurbishing now ensures you’re ready for summer cooling or winter heating demands.
• Cost Savings: Prices for replacement units have increased three times since 2021 — and they’re expected to rise again.
• Better Reliability: Newer systems offer better warranties, improved energy efficiency, and easier serviceability compared to legacy Skymark models.