Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems

Heat Recovery Ventiliation units, also known as HRV units, are a controlled ventilation system that recovers and recycles energy from an Exhaust Air Stream. The aluminum heat-exchange core transfers heat from the outgoing stream of air to the incoming stream, which heats the incoming air without additional heating costs. This process reverses during the cooling system and removes some of the heat from the incoming air, transferring it to the outgoing air.

Modern homes have very little heat loss through windows, doors, siding, or cracks because they are designed to be airtight. Many older homes have had many improvements or repairs to the home including new windows, doors, insulation, vapor barrier, siding, and sealing all cracks, removing much of the airflow in or out of the home.

What this means for your family is that all the moisture, gasses, and possible pollutants are contained within your home. You could open a window, but that often doesn’t provide enough fresh air to really solve the problem. Plus, it’s not something we would recommend in January!

Benefits of an HRV

• A HRV will recover 60 – 95% of the heat contained in the outgoing airstream, which greatly increases the Energy Efficiency of your home.
• An HRV contains a filter that will keep pollen or dust from entering the home in the incoming airstream.
• Helps to balance the humidity generated within the home.
• Removes or dilutes harmful gases and pollutants. 

Energy Recovery Ventilators

An ERV is a type of HRV that can exchange both heat and moisture. It uses a Polyethalyne Core to transfer latent heat. They can be helpful if the winter climate is extremely dry, as well as help keep your energy costs lower in the summer as it requires less energy to lower the temperature of dry air. 

Annual Maintenance

Natural Resources Canada recommends getting your HRV or ERV serviced annually by an accredited contractor. This is something that you can easily add to your annual Furnace Servicing to save costs. Having us out to Inspect and Maintain your HRV includes the following:

• Full Inspection of the HRV
• Full Cleaning of the HRV
• Checking the filter

HRV and ERV Installations

If you are noticing that the air in your home is often very stuffy, or that there is a lot of moisture build up after a shower, cooking, or washing, your home may benefit from an HRV. They can also help with heating costs!

We can install most brands of HRV, so if you have a preference we are more than happy to accommodate. We choose Lennox as our recommended brand and they have many HRV’s available.

For a quote, give us a call at (204) 982-6930! There are many different brands of HRV to choose from, but when it comes to selecting the unit for your home, the biggest difference is in the warranty offered and the potential for Energy Efficiency in your home.