What Are The Best HRV Settings For Winter?

Longing for fresh air while staying warm is common for Canadians during winter. When the temperatures fall well below zero, deciding whether to keep the home cozy or let a breeze in can be hard.

This is where the heat recovery ventilator (HRV) comes in. It allows homeowners to reap all the benefits of a comfortable home with fresh air, even with closed doors and windows. In this blog, we’re diving into the HRV, how it works, and how to maximize HRV settings for winter.

What is an HRV?

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is designed to ensure air circulation throughout your home. It replaces the polluted, pathogen-carrying stale air inside the house with fresh outdoor air. 

Since the 1970s, houses have been built in an airtight manner to preserve energy and improve isolation. However, this airtightness leads to air entrapment indoors. An HRV system solves these issues by ensuring fresh air keeps circulating throughout the house. 

How an HRV works

Also known as an HRV air exchanger, HRV uses the heat from the outgoing air to warm the incoming air using the heat exchanger. This process is reversed during summers. It does so to minimize energy loss, all while maintaining a supply of clean, fresh air. 

Here are the key components of an HRV system:

• Heat exchanger: This is the core component where heat transfer takes place.

• Ducts: Ventilation ducts remove exhaust air and bring in fresh supply air.

• Fans: There are two types of fans: the exhaust fan, which draws hot air out, and the supply fan, which draws cool outside air in. These fans circulate the air throughout the system.

• Controls: Different controls, such as speed, dehumidistat, timer, air pollutants sensor, maintenance light, and different modes like circulation mode and intermittent exchange mode, allow homeowners to operate their HRV efficiently. 

Image source: Shutterstock

The Best HRV Settings for Winter in Canada

While these settings may not work for everyone due to personal temperature preferences, here are general recommendations for homeowners looking to stay comfortable while saving heating costs in winter.

On/Off

Running your HRV system year-round is an energy-efficient way to ensure proper ventilation while keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

Ventilation

The recommended ventilation mode is 20/40. Press the mode button until the indicator light turns on. In this setting, the fan runs for 20 minutes and then automatically shuts off for 40 minutes.

Dehumidistat

On typical winter days, when the outdoor temperature ranges from 0℃ to -15℃, set the humidity to 45% to help prevent condensation. In extreme cold, indoor moisture increases due to heating, making it essential to keep your HRV running to control humidity and reduce condensation buildup. 

Your panel includes a marker that measures relative humidity levels. While it may not be perfectly accurate, it provides a useful guide for monitoring and maintaining ideal humidity levels.

Humidifier

Your humidifier should be 35% year-round, except for cold spells when the temperature falls below -15℃. Set it to 15-20%, then dial it back to 35% once the temperatures return to normal.

Read more: HVAC Tips For Winter: 6 Steps To Take Today

Image source: Shutterstock

Benefits of an HRV System

Beyond providing fresh air year-round, an HRV system offers several key advantages for your home and family.

Reduces Air Pollutants

With windows and doors closed—especially during winter—fresh air intake and circulation drop significantly, leading to indoor pollutant and pathogen buildup. An HRV system helps maintain indoor air quality by continuously removing stale air and replacing it with clean, filtered air.

Energy Efficiency

Your HRV system doesn’t generate heat, but it recovers heat from the exhaust air to warm incoming cold air in winter. In summer, when the air conditioning is on, it captures heat from the hot outdoor air to cool it down before entering your home.

Coziness

Because HRV runs continuously throughout the year, it keeps the indoor air quality from worsening and house temperatures exactly the way you want, year-round. You experience comfort without having to compromise.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with HRV Settings

Ensure your HRV performs at its best with proper maintenance. Here are some common mistakes to avoid with your HRV settings:

Not Cleaning the Core

The heat exchanger core is central to HRVs’ functionality; not cleaning, it can lead to dust or debris buildup. Check the instruction manual for cleaning instructions if you want to do it yourself, or hire a professional to get the job done.

Neglecting Maintenance

Your HRV is an intricate system of ducts and components that works tirelessly year-round to keep your home cozy. Skipping regular maintenance can not only cause it to malfunction but also reduce efficiency and increase your home’s overall energy consumption. Keeping ducts and filters clean ensures optimal performance.

Not Adjusting for Temperature Changes

HRV system settings should be adjusted as the seasons change. In winter, indoor humidity rises, requiring tweaks to the dehumidistat to prevent excess moisture. Not doing so can worsen air quality, increase energy bills, and reduce efficiency.

Save Money with Professional HRV Installation

Ensuring the ideal HRV settings for winter and other seasons requires expertise that only a professional HVAC contractor can provide. Ducts and vents essential for circulating air can become a cause of concern if they aren’t properly sealed, installed, and maintained. 

At LG Home Comfort, we specialize in providing top-quality heating and cooling services for residential and commercial properties of all sizes. Serving Southern Ontario homes for over 60 years, our expert team is fully equipped to address all your HVAC needs and answer any questions you may have. 

Let us help you save money with proper HVAC recommendations, professional installation, and reliable maintenance. Contact us today for a free quote!