Question:

Hi, I am in the middle of building a new house and my builder is recommending that I install an HRV system for $2000. He said that it will lower my heating + cooling costs, and control condensation. Is he right? Is there a cheaper and just as effective alternative? Thank you for your help!

Answer:

First things first. It is a building code requirement for a home to have ventilation rates of approximately 0.3 air changes per hour. By code this can be done a number of ways including and "Exhaust Only" method which essentially required a bath fan to be run constantly and others run intermittently to, theoretically, make up this air change. Now do the math on reheating this amount of new fresh air. It is a relatively ineffective and expensive way of achieving the ventilation requirement. In addition it draws a negative pressure on the home. By contrast, the Heat Recovery Ventilator will provide the required ventilation while recovering the heat from the outgoing stale air and returning it to the home. It will do this in a balanced way, bring in exactly the amount of air it exhausts. The bottom line is that the first method is obviously cheaper, and as such is the default method most builders will use. It is by no means as effective. Kudos to the builder for having this conversation and making this recommendation to you. The $2000.00 price tag is marginally high, but certainly not unreasonable as far as these extra's go within the building industry. They are offering a better, more efficient method of making your home a more healthy and efficient environment at a reasonable price. Go with it, and you will be happy you did. Best Regards, Glenn Wiseman, RASDT, RHDT

Answered By: Glenn Wiseman

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