HRV's

[John Allingham]

I'm starting to see HRV's in most of the new homes I inspect. Are they a code requirement now in Ontario?

[Rodney Misener]

To my knowledge it is a code requirement across Canada. Any home with 1.5 ACH or less requires an air exchanger, that I'm sure of.

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by jallingham

I'm starting to see HRV's in most of the new homes I inspect. Are they a code requirement now in Ontario?

Short answer is NO, however to meet ventilation requirements builders use HRV's.

This is a very complicated question, have you taken any Part 9 building Code courses? If not, it would help you in your business to take at least the 2 basic courses, Ontario Building Code (Part 9 - Health and Safety) and (Part 9 - Building Envelope). Taking this course will help you greatly IMO

[Claude Lawrenson]

Mario offers good advice.
If you have a new 2006 code check out 9.23.3 Mechanical Ventilation

If you want some good information on HVAC systems download the following document from CMHC.
https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/b2c/b2.../pdf/62015.pdf

Good info - I use it for my HVAC course.

[John Allingham]

Thanks guys. Got both Part 9's but I guess things have changed a bit since then.

[hjanssen]

Mechanical ventilation is found in 9,32,3
Harry

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by hjanssen

Mechanical ventilation is found in 9,32,3
Harry

Thanks Harry

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by hjanssen

Mechanical ventilation is found in 9,32,3
Harry

Harry you are correct 9.32 for both 2006 OBC and for the 1997 OBC.

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

Harry you are correct 9.32 for both 2006 OBC and for the 1997 OBC.

I have the 2006 code but not the 1997 code. So what changed that I'm seeing many more HRV's now. Did the ventilation requirements increase to the point that the bathroom fan doesn't do the trick anymore for bigger homes.

[Yuri Olhovsky]

John, HRVs are mandatory only for detached ENERGY STAR homes. Attached homes are not required to have HRVs, and, of course, production builders are not required to install them per OBC either. Having said this, HRV or ERV (even better for our climate) is a sure way to healthy home. All new homes are built tight and bathroom fans cannot do the job properly. So if some production builders take a liberty of offering HRVs in their homes, they are doing a right thing for the homeowner.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by yolhovsky

Having said this, HRV or ERV (even better for our climate) is a sure way to healthy home. All new homes are built tight and bathroom fans cannot do the job properly. So if some production builders take a liberty of offering HRVs in their homes, they are doing a right thing for the homeowner.

For The Record: An ERV is like a HRV in winter but also effective in summer in our climate.

[Yuri Olhovsky]

And that is why I said that it will be better for our climate.

[David P. Valley]

When I see HRV's in my area, the home usually has a foam insulation throughout. The home is too tight with foam, so HRV's are installed.

[jkogel]

The filters in most HRV's I see are so dirty they must be contaminating the air instead of cleaning it.

I wish I could post a pic of one a couple of weeks ago, you need a stepladder and tools to open it, ductwork attached to the panel and the owner had parked his brand new Harley directly below it. "Judging from the dust on the outside, this filter needs to be cleaned".

John Kogel
www.allsafehome.ca

[Eragorn Northe]

Originally Posted by clawrenson

Mario offers good advice.
If you have a new 2006 code check out 9.23.3 Mechanical Ventilation

If you want some good information on HVAC systems download the following document from CMHC.
https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/b2c/b2.../pdf/62015.pdf

Good info - I use it for my HVAC course.

thanks for the link Claude, very cool.