The HRV Clog

I'd have to say that 9 times out of 10, while doing a home inspection, our home inspectors find that the air intake located at the exterior of the home to the HRV unit is dirty....not just dirty, they are down right clogged.  This causes the unit to have to work harder reducing its life expectancy and air quality in the home. 
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Oops, don't know what an HRV is? Not all homes have them, but newer homes usually do. A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) brings fresh air into your home while getting rid of the stale air. Properly maintained, an HRV can save energy costs while maintaining a clean, healthy indoor environment.


​7 Simple HRV Maintenance Steps
Regular maintenance throughout the year takes only 7 simple steps to keep your HRV in peak condition (check your HRV owner's manual for specific instructions).

• Turn the HRV off and unplug it before starting any work on it
• Clean or replace the air filters every 2 months
• Check outdoor intake and exhaust hoods by removing leaves and snow
• Inspect the condensate drain (if present) by slowly pouring about 2 litres of warm, clean water in each drain pan inside the HRV
• Clean the removeable heat exchanger core
• Clean grills & inspect ductwork
• Service the fans by removing the dirt from the blades
• See, easy peasy and your lungs'll thank you for the better air quality :)

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