While your furnace and air conditioner get most of the attention, your home’s HRV system plays a crucial part in keeping your home comfortable. However, since many homeowners aren’t familiar with these systems, HRVs can become the source of headaches if you aren’t careful. But don’t worry—with a couple of simple tips, Weiss-Johnson can help ensure your system runs smoothly, no matter the season. Keep reading to learn more!
What is an HRV?
A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is an HVAC system that exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Often called “the lungs of your home,” this system helps with increased circulation, better air quality, and increased energy efficiency.
Common HRV System Mistakes Made by Edmonton Homeowners
While HRVs have grown in popularity in recent years, some homeowners still aren’t 100% sure how these systems work, leading to a couple of common mistakes. Let’s break it down:
Using the Wrong Settings
Do you understand the different modes on your HRV? For many Edmontonians, the answer is a resounding “no.” Without proper information, these homeowners are often left to rely on their best guess or bad advice from the internet.
Here are some key tips to ensure your HRV is set correctly:
- Increase the fan speed if you need to quickly evacuate air.
- Ensure your HRV is in recirculation mode during extreme cold (-30°C) to avoid freeze-ups.
- If exterior humidity is high and temperatures are above 5°C, recirculation mode is also recommended.
- Some HRV brands have an “Eco” mode, which will automatically select the most efficient setting for your system based on the conditions in your home.
At Weiss-Johnson, we are dedicated to educating homeowners on how to use their heat recovery ventilator systems. Have questions about how everything works? Call us today and we’ll walk you through it.
Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Another common mistake? Ignoring your system. While your HRV might feel like a “set it and forget it” appliance, the truth is that you should complete a couple of basic homeowner maintenance tasks to keep things running smoothly. We recommend:
- Checking your inlet HRV filter once a year for mosquitoes, pollen, leaves, and other outside debris.
- Walking around the exterior of your home to inspect both the exterior intake and exhaust hoods. Remove leaves, snow, or any other blockages.
- Performing simple routine HRV cleaning annually, including rinsing your filters with warm soapy water.
Looking for more information on how to easily maintain your HRV system? Our video walks you through this simple process:
PLEASE EMBED THIS VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVJ-DkxZLr4
Using Your System as a Dehumidifier
While homeowners often get these two systems confused, remember: your HRV is not a dehumidifier. This system can only help reduce indoor humidity when the outdoor air is drier than your indoor air. When outdoor humidity levels are higher than indoor levels, running your HRV in ventilation mode will actually add moisture to your home rather than remove it. Here’s the key takeaway: During humid summer months, ensure your HRV is in recirculation mode to avoid high indoor moisture levels.
HRV Repair or Replacement in Edmonton
In some cases, these simple fixes don’t solve the underlying problem. You should call a professional HVAC company for HRV repair in Edmonton if:
- You notice louder operating sounds than normal.
- You’ve completed recommended maintenance tasks, and your system still isn’t working.
- Your controls or timers are consistently failing.
- Your dampers are stuck.
- Your system is continuously freezing.
Call Weiss-Johnson Today!
As Edmonton’s leading HVAC company, we offer efficient HRV installation, repair, and replacement. Interested in learning more? Call us today for more information or to receive a free quote!
