About This Site

What This Site Covers

Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) are standard equipment in most new Canadian homes and increasingly common in retrofitted older housing stock. They operate for long periods without visible activity, which means maintenance is often deferred until a problem becomes noticeable.

This site provides reference material on three maintenance areas: filter inspection and replacement schedules, duct cleaning in cold climate conditions, and airflow balancing to avoid pressure differentials that cause moisture damage and increase energy use.

The content is written for homeowners who have basic familiarity with their home's mechanical systems and are capable of following step-by-step procedures. Tasks that carry significant risk or require specialized equipment are noted as requiring a certified HVAC technician.

What This Site Does Not Cover

This site does not cover HRV installation, commissioning, or repair of the heat exchanger core or blower motors. These tasks require training and in some provinces must be performed by a licensed contractor.

This site also does not cover Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) in detail. While ERVs share many maintenance characteristics with HRVs, the differences in core design (particularly moisture transfer) mean that some procedures described here do not apply without modification.

Content Standards

Articles on this site rely on publicly available technical guidance from sources including Natural Resources Canada, the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, and ASHRAE standards. Where specific figures are cited, the source is linked.

Statistics and performance data that cannot be traced to a named public source are not used. General guidance (such as inspection intervals) is described as approximate or typical rather than definitive, because actual conditions vary significantly by household.

Contact

A contact form is available on the home page. Questions submitted through the form may inform future articles. Individual responses are not guaranteed.

Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general reference only and does not substitute for professional advice from a qualified HVAC technician. Building codes, ventilation requirements, and equipment specifications vary by province and municipality. Confirm local requirements before acting on information found here.

This site has no commercial relationship with any HRV manufacturer, HVAC distributor, or service provider. External links are provided for reference and do not constitute endorsement.