The majority of homeowners in the Ottawa and Ottawa Valley are utilizing heat recovery ventilation systems in order to combat stale air due to air tight home construction. Many others are simply seeking to exchange air to ensure their family is breathing the cleanest, freshest air possible.
For older homes in the Ottawa area, these air exchanges are happening simply through bathroom fans and infiltration of air through leaky homes.
The reason we are using heat recovery ventilators in Ottawa is directly related to our frigid winter temperatures. In older homes, cold air leaks into the home and forces your home’s HVAC system to work overtime to ensure the house is kept at a comfortable temperature.
The HRV allows you to retain 50%-70% of your home’s heat when introducing clean, fresh air into the home. This happens through a heating core designed to capture the heat from the stale air that is exiting your home. This equals energy efficiency bonuses meaning you can enjoy the benefits of an HRV without breaking the bank.