Breathe better. Balance airflow. Built to code.

Commercial make-up air contractor since 1969.

In commercial kitchens, industrial shops, paint booths, grow ops, and warehouses, exhaust without tempered make-up air starves the building. Negative pressure pulls combustion gases back down flues, slams doors, kills hood capture, and frustrates everyone working inside. For 56 years, Fraser Valley operators have trusted Alpine to design, install, and maintain the make-up air systems that keep their buildings balanced.

Whether you're feeding a Chilliwack hood line, a multi-bay industrial paint booth in Abbotsford, or a cultivation room that needs tight air-change and temperature control, we engineer for the load, the code, and the comfort of the people in the room.

24/7 emergency service Custom system design Code-compliant install All MAU configurations
Crane hoisting commercial make-up air units onto a Fraser Valley rooftop install
Locally owned since 1969

56 years of make-up air expertise in the Fraser Valley

From direct-fired gas MAUs on commercial kitchens to indirect-fired packaged rooftops feeding paint booths, to DOAS energy-recovery units on net-zero builds and the systems that keep underground parkades and high-rise towers code-compliant - we've engineered and serviced make-up air across every kind of building in some of BC's most demanding environments. Pressure balance, hood capture, and combustion safety all live or die on this equipment.

Licensed & insured

All three trade tickets, $5M coverage

Gas (LGA0103126) for direct- and indirect-fired combustion, gas trains, and modulating burners. Refrigeration (LBP0001017) for the DX and chilled-water coils on tempered units. Boiler (LBP0204397) for hot-water coil-fed make-up air integrated with the building's hydronic plant. Plus $5M liability insurance and full WorkSafeBC coverage on every job, every time.

$2M+ ready inventory

Less waiting for parts

Over $2 million in ready-to-go parts across our service fleet and Chilliwack warehouse - meaning we complete most make-up air repairs on the first visit. Belts, motors, VFDs, gas valves, ignition modules, dampers, controls, sensors, and replacement burner assemblies for the MAU systems we service.

24/7/365 response

2-hour average emergency response

When the MAU goes down on a Friday night dinner rush, the kitchen has to shut. Alpine guarantees a 2-hour average emergency response time throughout the Fraser Valley, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our emergency line connects directly to on-call technicians - no answering services, no triage delay.

Emergency repair & service

When exhaust runs but make-up air doesn't, downtime isn't an option.

Make-up air failures stop kitchens, paint booths, and grow rooms cold - and they cascade fast into hood capture failures, depressurized buildings, and gas appliances spilling combustion products. Alpine's 24/7 emergency response team arrives fast with fully-stocked service vehicles. Our experienced technicians diagnose and repair all commercial make-up air brands and configurations.

  • 2-hour average response time
  • Direct technician dispatch - no answering service
  • Burners, motors, VFDs, controls stocked on every truck
  • Temporary ventilation if needed to stay operational
  • Priority service for maintenance contract customers
24/7 Emergency · 604.795.5777
Alpine Refrigeration GPS-tracked service van - Fraser Valley emergency dispatch
Alpine technicians servicing a rooftop packaged make-up air unit at a Fraser Valley commercial building
Engineered for your exhaust loads, comfort & code

Custom make-up air system design & installation

Every building moves air differently. Alpine's design team works with you to spec a make-up air system that matches exhaust loads, holds the building near neutral pressure, tempers the air to a setpoint occupants can live with, and meets current gas, ventilation, and building-code standards. From a single direct-fired packaged unit to a multi-zone DOAS with energy recovery, we engineer for serviceability over the life of the equipment.

Our make-up air design process

  • On-site assessment of exhaust loads, hood profiles, and process needs
  • Engineered pressure-balance calculations and CFM targets
  • Selection of direct-fired, indirect-fired, DX, or hydronic units
  • Ducting and discharge design to prevent draft on occupants
  • Code-compliant gas, electrical, and seismic install
  • Commissioning, balancing, and performance verification
Request a design consultation
Preventive maintenance on a rooftop Engineered Air make-up air unit
Preventive maintenance programs

Maximize airflow, minimize breakdowns.

A loose belt and a sooting burner can drop a make-up air unit out of spec in a single shift. Alpine's customized maintenance programs keep airflow and combustion in spec, extend bearing and burner life, and catch the failures before they take the kitchen or shop offline.

  • Priority emergency response
  • Scheduled quarterly or monthly inspections
  • Belt, motor, and bearing inspection plus alignment
  • Combustion analysis on direct- and indirect-fired units
  • Damper, control, and sensor calibration
  • 15% discount on repair labour and parts
Build your maintenance plan
Brands that rely on Alpine

Trusted by Fraser Valley restaurants, industrial shops, growers, and processors.

Join 500+ Fraser Valley businesses that trust Alpine

Don't wait for system failure.

Prevent costly downtime and depressurized-building incidents with a customized maintenance agreement. Our commercial make-up air specialists will design a program that holds airflow, combustion, and comfort in spec all year.

Certifications & memberships

Credentialed for commercial ventilation.

BC Hydro Alliance MemberFortisBC Trade AllyCOR CertifiedTechnical Safety BCISNetworldHRAI MemberESCO CertifiedChilliwack ChamberBC Dairy FoundationEPA Certified
BC Dairy Foundation
BCCSA COR Certified
EPA
ESCO Institute EPA Certified
ISN Networld
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
HRAI member - Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada
From a single hood to a multi-zone DOAS

Our technicians have experience designing and installing complex ventilation systems for commercial clients.

From a single direct-fired make-up air unit feeding a restaurant hood to a multi-zone packaged DOAS with energy recovery and demand-controlled ventilation, we approach every project the same way: size to the exhaust load, balance the building, and leave it commissioned with documentation that satisfies the inspector.

By choosing Alpine, you're not just hiring another contractor - you're hiring our 56-year reputation for reliability, technical service capability, and decades of combustion and airflow know-how built right here in Chilliwack.

Our team is a tight-knit, three-generation crew that treats your building like its own. Some of our staff have been with Alpine for the better part of 30 years; we keep training, certifications, and balancing instruments sharp so we leave every job dialled-in and provably better.

In addition to supporting businesses across the Fraser Valley, we work with hospitality groups, industrial plants, grow operations, and institutional clients across BC's Lower Mainland - and we're ready to travel for more remote or custom projects.

Rooftop packaged make-up air unit with galvanized supply ductwork at a Fraser Valley commercial building
FAQ

Things facility managers ask.

01
What is a make-up air system?
A make-up air system replaces air that has been exhausted from a building through ventilation, kitchen hoods, or industrial processes. It prevents negative pressure, improves indoor air quality, and maintains comfortable temperatures.
02
Why does my building need make-up air?
Modern buildings are well-sealed for energy efficiency. When exhaust systems remove air without replacement, the building depressurizes, causing doors to stick, drafts, uncomfortable conditions, and inefficient HVAC operation. Make-up air systems solve these issues.
03
What types of make-up air units do you install?
We install all types of make-up air units including direct-fired, indirect-fired, and electric units. Heating options include gas, steam, hot water, and electric resistance. Cooling options include evaporative cooling, DX coils, and chilled water coils.
04
What applications require make-up air systems?
Commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, warehouses, parking garages, laboratories, manufacturing plants, and any building with significant exhaust ventilation typically require make-up air systems.
05
Where can make-up air units be installed?
Make-up air units can be installed on rooftops, through walls, on ground pads, or vertically outdoors. We design the installation based on your building's layout, space constraints, and operational requirements.
06
How do you determine the right size unit?
We perform detailed load calculations considering exhaust CFM, building size, climate conditions, heating/cooling requirements, and code requirements. Proper sizing ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency.
07
Are make-up air systems energy efficient?
Modern make-up air systems are designed for high efficiency. We offer units with energy recovery, variable speed drives, and advanced controls that significantly reduce operating costs compared to older systems.
08
Are make-up air systems required by code?
Yes, in many cases. Building codes and inspectors are increasingly enforcing make-up air requirements to improve ventilation and air quality. We ensure all installations meet current code requirements.
09
How often should make-up air units be serviced?
We recommend quarterly maintenance for commercial applications. Regular service includes filter changes, burner inspection, fan belt checks, and control calibration to ensure reliable operation and energy efficiency.
10
Do you offer emergency repair service?
Yes, we provide 24/7/365 emergency service for make-up air systems. Our technicians can quickly diagnose and repair issues to restore proper ventilation and heating to your facility.
11
What brands of make-up air units do you service?
We service and install all major make-up air unit brands. Our technicians are trained on a wide variety of equipment, and we maintain parts inventory for common repairs.
12
Can you add make-up air to an existing building?
Yes, we specialize in retrofitting make-up air systems into existing buildings. We assess your current ventilation, exhaust systems, and building structure to design an effective solution.
13
Do you install residential make-up air systems?
Yes, we offer make-up air solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Large homes with commercial-style kitchens or high-CFM range hoods often benefit from make-up air systems.
14
Can make-up air units heat and cool?
Yes, many make-up air units include both heating and cooling capabilities. We can configure systems with gas heating and evaporative or mechanical cooling to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round.
15
What control options are available?
Make-up air systems can be integrated with building automation systems, standalone thermostatic controls, or demand-based controls that modulate based on exhaust fan operation for optimal efficiency.
16
How long does installation take?
Installation timelines vary based on unit size and installation complexity. A typical commercial installation takes 2-5 days. We work to minimize disruption to your operations.
17
What warranties do you offer?
We provide manufacturer warranties on equipment plus our own workmanship guarantee. Maintenance program customers receive extended warranty benefits and priority service.
18
Do you offer financing for new installations?
Yes, we offer flexible financing options for make-up air system installations. Contact our commercial team to discuss payment plans that work for your budget.
19
What areas do you serve?
We serve the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland including Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Langley, Surrey, and surrounding areas. We also travel to remote locations for larger projects.
20
How can I request a quote?
Call us at 604.795.5777 or fill out our online contact form. We offer free on-site consultations and can typically schedule a visit within 24-48 hours.
Tell us what you need.

We'll be in touch within one business day.

For emergencies, please call dispatch directly. The form below is for quotes, callbacks, and non-urgent inquiries.

Chilliwack, BC · Since 1969

The mountain on our wall.
The standard in our work.

Freshly painted across our Chilliwack shop, the mural is a new Fraser Valley landmark, and a fitting one. Local artist Jack Hendsbee brought the mountain to life, and it will feature in the Chilliwack Mural Festival. The peak has been our namesake since 1969, and it is the standard we bring to every install, service call, and 2 AM emergency. We back the local community the way it has backed us.

24/7 Emergency · 604.795.5777