I am getting some conflicting advice regarding a HRV system in an all year cottage and the use of a kitchen exhaust fan. Some trades are saying that the kitchen fan, when in use will be counter balanced by the HRV and net is no exhaust of kitchen odours. The HRV vents three bathrooms and the kitchen. The whole house is 1900 sq. ft. with very open cathedral ceilings. Any comments on this?
Answer:
HRVs are indeed very sensitive to air balance but in a cottage, I don't really see a need for them - even in an all year cottage. Mind you, unless you're entertaining all your in-laws, I don't see where the kitchen fan would be used enough to counter balance anything nearing the stature of an HRV. If it does, the fan must be big enough for you to have to tie down the family dog and kids when its being used.
