Question:

Hi Don,

I'll be buying a new home (not built yet) and have been thinking about
putting in a HRV. The builder has two options: 1) by-pass 2) full. Can you
tell me what the difference is? What are their pros/cons? Is there a brand of
HRV that outperforms the others? What are the costs associated with each
of these types?

Where can I find a good description of HRVs?

Thanks very much,

Jeff

Answer:

Jeff,

By-pass (Simplified) HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator)uses the existing duct work to pull bad air out of the house (the whole house). They are generally used in retofit applications.
Full (Dedicated) HRV takes bad air out of the rooms that create it using specific duct runs to those rooms(kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rooms) and fresh air is brough in through main ducts.
HRV's are used only during the Heating season.
ERV- Ernergy Recovery Ventilators come in both Simplified and Dedicated, ERV's do the same thins as HRV's but they are meant to run all year long.
Since this is a new construction application I recommend a Dedicated system and if you are putting in central air you should consider an ERV.
We use Venmar HRV's and ERV's and are very satisfied with them. (www.venmar.com)
Another good place for information is Natural Resources Canada http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca They print publications on household equipment.
Pricing the units depends on the size of the home and the type of unit:
HRV Simplified starts at $1500-2000 Dedicated starts at $2600
ERV Simplified starts at $3000 Dedicated starts at $3300
Please keep in mind these are retail prices, your builder will most likely have different pricing.

Don

Answered By: Don Peters

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