New Commercial HVAC Install? Why You Need Certified TAB Verification for Occupancy (2026 Guide)
The Final Step Before You Hand Over the Keys
When a new commercial HVAC installation is complete, the final hurdle isn’t the equipment—it’s the documentation.
Whether you are a Business Owner opening a restaurant in Naperville, a General Contractor finishing a medical office in Arlington Heights, or an HVAC Firm completing a warehouse in the O’Hare Industrial Corridor, you cannot close out the project without the paperwork.
Specifically, you need a Certified Test and Balance (TAB) Report to prove to the Mechanical Inspector that the system meets both the MEP Engineer's design specs and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
At Northwest Energy, we specialize in providing the independent 3rd-party verification required to secure your Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Our Promise: We provide Same-Day Report Turnaround so you can pass inspection and open your doors without delay.
What We Verify: The "New Install" Checklist
The heavy lifting of the installation is done. Our role is to validate the physics. We provide standardized air balance testing for all new commercial builds, verifying:
RTU & Split System Performance: We measure precise CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) and Static Pressure to ensure your units are hitting the manufacturer's efficiency ratings.
Outside Air (OA) Calibration: We document fresh air intake levels to meet ASHRAE 62.1 Standards—essential for code compliance and occupant health.
Economizer Commissioning: We verify that economizers open and close correctly, a critical checkpoint for Energy Code inspectors.
Exhaust & Supply Synchronization: We ensure kitchen hoods, Make-Up Air Units (MAUs), and restroom exhaust fans work in harmony to keep the building pressure neutral.
Why Business Owners & GCs Partner with Northwest Energy
We understand that different stakeholders have different priorities. Here is why we are the preferred partner for Chicagoland construction projects:
For the General Contractor (The "Speed" Priority)
The Pain Point: You can't get your final payment (retainage) until the Punch List is clear.
The Solution: We offer Same-Day Certified Reports. We don't make you wait weeks for the PDF. We test it, we certify it, and you get the document you need to schedule your final inspection immediately.
For the Business Owner (The "Performance" Priority)
The Pain Point: You are inheriting a complex system that impacts your energy bills for the next 20 years.
The Solution: Our independent report is your "insurance policy." As an NCI Certified firm, we verify that you are actually receiving the high-performing system you paid for, preventing "hot and cold" complaints and high utility costs down the road.
For the HVAC Installer (The "Validation" Priority)
The Pain Point: The engineer is questioning your install or the airflow numbers.
The Solution: As a private technical firm (independent from the installer), our reports provide the unbiased "Stamp of Approval" that engineers demand to sign off on the project.
We Know the "High Enforcement" Departments
Navigating village halls can be a nightmare. We know the specific requirements for inspectors in Lake Zurich, Hoffman Estates, Oak Park, and across Northern Illinois.
We know exactly what the inspectors need to see. We present the data—including specific Outside Air (OA) verification and code references—in the exact format they require, making your final inspection a routine sign-off.
Get Your Certified Results Today
A new HVAC system isn't "finished" until the air balance is verified and the report is filed.
We specialize in the standardized TAB services required for:
New Restaurants (Kitchen Hood & MUA Balancing)
Medical & Dental Offices (Zone Balancing)
Industrial Warehouses (Ventilation & Heating)
Nail Salons (50 CFM Exhaust Certification)
Don’t let the paperwork hold up your grand opening. Partner with Northwest Energy for fast, professional, and certified TAB results—delivered the same day.