Natural Resources Canada
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Introduction
The importance of ventilation in today's more energy- efficient homes is universally recognized. Introduced as a requirement for airtight R-2000* homes, continuous ventilation systems are now common in new conventional housing and major home renovations. Because of the energy savings generated, the system of choice is often a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).
An HRV is a mechanical ventilation device that helps make your home healthier, cleaner and more comfortable by continuously replacing stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. HRVs are set apart from other mechanical ventilation devices by their ability to exchange heat between the supply and exhaust air streams, which in turn reduces the cost of heating or cooling the healthy fresh air that circulates through the home. HRVs are sometimes called air-to-air heat exchangers because they preheat or cool incoming air using exhaust air.
This booklet discusses the need for mechanical ventilation in today's homes and explains the components of an HRV system, how to operate and maintain the system, and how to solve operating problems. This information will be of use to occupants of homes with HRVs.
There are many types of HRVs on the market, as well as different installation strategies. The size of your house, type of heating system, and geographical location, etc., can all affect the kind of system you have and the way it has been installed. The diagrams in this booklet give examples of some of the types of systems available; they are provided for information purposes only. This booklet is intended to supplement your HRV owner's manual, not to replace it. If you need a manual or more information on operating procedures for your HRV, contact the installer or manufacturer. A list of HRV manufacturers whose products have certified performance ratings from the Home Ventilating Institute can be found by clicking here. |
* R-2000 is an official mark of Natural Resources Canada.
