What Is an HRV System? 

Heating systems work hard to keep our homes and workplaces warm and cozy in the winter, but all that heated air can become stifling and stale. Cooking, showers and daily activity add moisture and odours indoors, while winter weather makes opening the windows less appealing. An HRV offers another way to bring outdoor air in. 

HRV stands for “heat recovery ventilator”. It exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air and transfers some heat between those air streams. We can assess ventilation as part of our HVAC services in Edmonton. 

How Does an HRV Move Air? 

An HRV uses fans to move air in two directions. One draws stale air out of the home while the other brings fresh air in. The two streams pass through the unit without mixing. 

The outgoing air may be drawn from areas such as bathrooms and the kitchen, while fresh air is supplied to other parts of the home. The exact setup depends on the house and how its ventilation system was installed. 

This exchange happens without leaving a window open. It also gives the home a more controlled way to remove indoor air that has become humid or stale. 

What Happens to the Heat? 

As the two air streams pass through the HRV, heat from the outgoing indoor air transfers to the incoming outdoor air. The fresh air enters warmer than it otherwise would on a cold day. 

The HRV does not heat your home on its own. Your furnace or other heating system still does that job. Heat recovery simply means the ventilation system keeps some of the warmth that would have left with the stale air. 

An HRV also does not produce fresh air from the air already inside your home. It brings in outdoor air, which is why clear exterior intake and exhaust openings matter to its operation. 

When Might an HRV Be Useful? 

If your home often feels stuffy or cooking smells linger, it may be worth looking at the ventilation. Persistent condensation on windows can also be a reason to investigate how moisture is leaving the house. 

Those symptoms do not automatically mean you need a new HRV. We would check what ventilation the home already has, whether it is operating properly and what else may be contributing to the problem. If an HRV is appropriate, it needs to be selected and set up for the home’s air exchange needs. 

If you already have one, tell us whether it runs, when the filters were last checked and whether you have noticed a change in airflow. We can help you understand what the equipment is doing and whether it needs attention. 

For an Edmonton home that needs more fresh air during the months when the windows stay closed, an HRV can be a practical option. Give Hydro-Flo a call to discuss the ventilation in your home. 

780-203-2230 

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