HRV System

[Wale Ojo]

For those that have a HRV (heat recovery ventilation) system, do you use it? I haven't turned mine on in over a year, last time I did the electricity bill was high. I have a new home (2yrs) that has a tankless/boiler furnace.

 

[Ponderling]

It makes sense in other than the winter.
When the core senses it may frost up in mine a 1500w pre heater warms incoming external air. That is when the $$$ happen.
Rest of the time a puny fan runs.
But the incoming air still needs some heating.
If the windows are not gathering water at the bottom ( excluding the bath after a shower) then dont worry about turning it on.

 

[james t kirk]

I have an old house.

Lots of air exchange! And I like it that way. Much healthier for you than some hermetically sealed mold box. No need for an HRV

 

[xmontrealer]

In my rented townhouse I had an HRV system. Had never had experience with one before. I changed the furnace filters regularly, but didn't realize I should be cleaning the HRV filters at the same time. So I didn't clean the filters for about 4 years. The landlord had never mentioned it, and when I later told him about it he said he had no idea that cleaning the HRV filters was required.

2 years ago in very cold weather my gas furnace started to flame out, and the house would get very cold. I was able to solve it by tuning off the HRV unit.

Then I researched it and found out about the necessity of cleaning the HRV filters regularly. When I opened the HRV unit I found the intake filter totally clogged with dirt and debris from outside. The output filter was dirty, but not nearly as bad. In my HRV unit they were washable foam filters, so it was simple wash, let dry, and put them back in the intake and output sides of the core. No problems since then...