Should I Install an HRV System In My Home?
For the modern Vancouver homeowner, energy efficiency is a crucial factor to consider. As such, many modern homes are designed to be as airtight as possible.
HRV systems are handy— they ensure you have a constant supply of fresh air without compromising on heating and cooling. But what are they, and how do HRV systems work?
You’re at the right place if you’re a homeowner looking to improve the quality of the air in your home.
This feature will tell you how an HRV ventilation system works, its benefits, and whether you should install one in your home.
We’ll answer the following questions:
How does an HRV system work?
Should you run an HRV constantly?
What are the disadvantages of the HRV system?
Do HRV systems really work?
Let’s dig right in!
What are HRV Units?
Before we discuss how do HRV systems work, we’ll need to break down what they are.
Short for Heat Recovery Ventilation systems, HRV units are mechanical, controlled ventilation systems.
They replace stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, thereby helping reduce high humidity, malodours, and pollutants.
Here’s how they work:
Stale humid air is expelled from the house. As this hot air passes through the HRV unit, it heats up the plates of the heat exchanger core.
Clean, fresh, cool air is sucked into the house, passing through the HRV heating system, where it is warmed up by the hot plates. (That’s why this system is called an HRV heat recovery unit.)
These processes occur simultaneously, meaning indoor air is always at an optimum temperature.
This means your HVAC system doesn’t need to consistently heat the air flowing into your home, saving energy costs.
To further grasp how does an HRV system work, you’ll need to understand what each of its key components does. Let’s quickly break them down:
The Heat Exchanger
This component of your house HRV system helps transfer heat from the air going out to the air flowing in.
The heat exchanger ensures heat is always reused rather than lost, resulting in an energy-efficient system.
A heat exchanger is, therefore, always a worthwhile purchase when installing a heating or ventilation system.
Ventilation Buds
A typical HRV system has at least four vents.
These are a fresh air distribution and a stale air expulsion duct connected to the heat exchanger, and two other ducts connected to HRV unit that collect air from outside and expel air from inside.
Filters
Now, all HRV units come with an assortment of filters.
These handy, replaceable components catch allergens, dust, pollen, and other pollutants flying about in the atmosphere.
This helps maintain indoor air quality, and may also extend the life and efficiency of your HRV unit.
Exhaust and Supply Fans
The supply fan is an air inlet that pulls cool outdoor air into the room and through the ducts.
The exhaust fan, on the other hand, draws ‘used’ air from the room through the ducts, serving as a stale air outlet.
All these components work together to ensure your home or indoor grow room has a consistent temperature and humidity level. Proper maintenance is required to ensure they perform optimally.
Don’t worry though— we’ll get into that later.
Benefits of Using an HRV System in Your Vancouver Home
Now that you know how do HRV systems work, let’s talk about the benefits of installing such a system in your home. Here are a couple:
- Reduces Humidity and Condensation
Good HRV units help reduce indoor humidity levels, dealing with condensation problems.
This ultimately helps curb the growth mold and mildew, which are seriously detrimental to your health.
- Better Indoor Air Quality
By expelling stale indoor air and replacing it with fresh outdoor air, HRV systems help do away with dust, mold, volatile organic compounds, and other indoor pollutants. The result?
A fresh, clean home that you, your loved ones, and your pets can enjoy. This will benefit your physical health and mental well-being in the long run, especially if you have a respiratory illness.
- Helps Conserve Energy
Most homes in Vancouver depend on HVACs to maintain a balance in temperature. This means that during the winter or summer, homeowners have to run the air conditioning all day and all night.
Enter HRV units. Our HRV recycles more than 82% of the heat in your indoor air, meaning your HVAC only has an 18% temperature imbalance to correct when fresh indoor air flows in.
That will cut your energy consumption by a ton, which is good for your pockets, and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Improved Quality of Life
Nobody likes a damp, dusty, chilly, or uncomfortably warm home.
By maintaining a consistent supply of fresh, preheated air, an HRV heat recovery system reduces uneven temperatures, improving the overall comfort of your home.
These are just some of the few reasons you should consider installing a house HRV system.
Should You Run an HRV Consistently?
Yes. We recommend running your HRV unit continuously to ensure the indoor air quality and temperature of your home remains consistent.
Common Myths About HRV Systems Debunked
Although the HRV heating system has been around for a while, some people are still skeptical about its effectiveness. This can be attributed to the following misconceptions, which have long been debunked:
Myth 1: HRV Systems Are Too Expensive To Run!
Since most HRV units are built to run continuously, some homeowners worry these systems may increase how much they spend on power. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
A good HRV heating system helps prevent loss of heat to the exterior, which keeps your HVAC system from overworking. This will actually save you cash in the long run!
Myth 2: HRV Systems Are Too Noisy!
Many people mistakenly believe that HRV systems are loud and distractive. In reality, however, modern HRV systems are incredibly quiet.
You’ll find yourself checking if it’s actually running.
Myth 3: HRV Systems Are Too Hard To Install!
A HRV ventilation unit may seem hard to install, but that’s nothing to our team.
Even though it may be necessary to install ducts, HRV vents look clean, and are typically hidden in the ceilings or walls. Working with an experienced team, you’re guaranteed minimal disruption and a clean finish.
Myth 4: HRV Systems Require Too Much Maintenance!
Contrary to what some homeowners may believe, our HRV systems are designed to need little maintenance. Sure, you’ll need to replace your filters regularly but that’s to ensure you’re not subjected to dusty, contaminated air.
Dusty, clogged filters are counterproductive, which will affect the quality of the air coming into your home considerably. These maintenance checks are easy, and you’ll be done with them in no time at all.
What Are the Disadvantages of an HRV System?
We’ve sung such high praise for HRV heating systems that you’re likely wondering what drawbacks these systems have. Now that you know how do HRV systems work, let’s talk about some of their disadvantages.
For starters, a house HRV system has a high initial cost. Purchasing and installing this unit may come with a high upfront cost, but it’s worth every penny.
HRV systems also require quite a bit of space. This may be a deterrent for people living in tiny homes.
For homeowners running Airbnbs in multiple locations, the need for somewhat regular maintenance may be an issue.
Should I Get an HRV System?
If you’re not sure whether you should invest in an HRV system or not, you should answer the following questions:
- Do You Have Poor Indoor Air Quality?
If you’re a homeowner struggling with poor indoor air quality, an HRV heat recovery system could help.
A good HRV ventilation system will replace the stale air in the room with fresh air from outdoors, eliminating malodors and improving overall comfort levels.
- Does Your Home Have Too Much Moisture?
If you’ve noticed condensation or other signs of too much humidity, it may be time to install a house HRV system.
Our HRV heat recovery systems helps create balanced humidity levels, which will prevent the growth of mold.
- Were You Already Planning To Upgrade Your Ventilation System?
If an HVAC upgrade was already in the books for you, we recommend throwing in an HRV system to the budget. You’ll be happy you made this investment.
Now that you know how do HRV systems work, it’s time to get a feel of what it’s like to have one running in your home.
Do HRV Systems Really Work?
Yes! If you invest in a proper HRV unit, you’re guaranteed power efficiency and functionality
All you need to do is buy one from a reliable manufacturer. Don’t worry, though— we can help with that.
Talk To Us
We’re Holtop Canada, a leading manufacturer of indoor air quality solutions, from heat exchangers to air filtration systems. We deliver highly efficient energy-saving products that enhance people’s health and quality of life.
If you’d like to further understand how do HRV systems work, feel free to reach out to us!
Here’s how:
Visit us at 110–8828 Heather St, Vancouver, BC V5X OA8
Call us on 604–222–2100
Email us at info@holtapcanada.com
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