Maintaining your HRV saves energy and keeps indoor air fresh.

What's an HRV?

A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) continuously replaces indoor air with fresh outdoor air. This is essential to maintaining healthy indoor air quality in more energy efficient homes because:

• Excessive moisture build-up promotes mould growth inside your home that could affect your family’s health.

• Regularly replacing indoor air can remove potential contaminants like radon, household chemicals, odors and combustion by-products.

What's Relative Humidity?

Relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapour the air can hold. This depends on air temperature; for example air at room temperature can hold over 10 times more water vapour than air at -5 degrees Celsius. As air is warmed, it expands and its relative humidity decreases, because warmer air can hold more moisture. On the other hand, as air is cooled, it shrinks and its relative humidity increases. Water starts to form on surfaces when relative humidity reaches 100 per cent.

Clean Filters Every 1-3 Months

Dirty filters can lead to unbalanced airflows and reduce the efficiency of the unit. Filters that are not designed for your HRV can also affect the unit’s performance. Filters should be vacuumed before washing with warm soapy water and should last several years before needing to be replaced. HRVs are sometimes tied into furnace ducts – in this case be sure to maintain the filters and fans more frequently.

Regular HRV Maintenance

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your HRV can help ensure your system performs as designed.

• Turn off power to the unit before cleaning.

• Clean filters by removing the cover to access the inside of the unit.

• Remove filters and vacuum any debris.

• Next, using a bucket of warm soapy water, wash the filters thoroughly to get rid of the remaining particles caught within the filter.

• Let the filters dry before putting them back in place.

• Inspect the exterior vents and remove any leaves, grass, bushes or snow blocking the flow of air through the vent.

• Check and clean the heat-exchange core twice a year. Make sure to put the core back the same way it came out.

• Inspect the core frequently during cold weather to make sure the defrost mechanism is working properly and there's no buildup of moisture within the unit.

• Inspect and clean the condensate drain, which can accumulate debris and may not drain properly when clogged.

• Pour two to three liters of warm water into the drain pan. If the water does not flow freely, disconnect the tubing and clean thoroughly with a thin wire or pipe cleaner.

• Inspect the drain and clean twice per year. Make sure the condensate drain has a “trap” or “loop” in the tubing. The bottom of the trap should hold a small amount of water to stop air from entering the HRV.

• Remember to check your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your unit.