How-to: Maintain your HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator)

This is a typical HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) unit. It may look a little different from yours, but they all essentially perform the same function. The filter should be cleaned at the same time you change your furnace filter.

To start, unplug the unit and remove the access door. The location of the clips for the access door may vary on different units, but they all work in a similar way. First, use a vacuum to clean out the debris from inside the unit. Then, use a cloth to wipe the inside of the pan.

Next, remove the filters in order to clean them by simply sliding them out of their holders. Begin by vacuuming the filters to remove most of the debris. After that, use regular tap water—optionally with a little bit of dish soap—to rinse the filters clean. It’s recommended to do this in your laundry tub, as a significant amount of dirt will come off the filters.

Once the filters are visibly clean, let them dry completely before reinstallation. After the filters are dry, reinstall them back into the unit.

Your service is now complete. The HRV will pull fresh outside air through insulated pipes into the cube in the center, where it mixes with stale, outgoing warm air from inside your home. This process helps maintain efficiency by using the heat already present in your home to preheat the fresh incoming air from outside. Your HRV is connected to the furnace and will activate the furnace fan when running, regardless of whether heat or air conditioning is being called for.

When you’re finished cleaning, reinstall the door, secure the clips, and plug the unit back in.


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