An HRV (heat recovery ventilator) is a balanced mechanical ventilation unit that exhausts stale indoor air and brings in fresh outdoor air in equal amounts, passing both streams through a heat-exchange core. The core transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air without mixing them, so the home gets fresh air with much less heating loss.
Why it matters to you
Newer BC homes are built tight, so moisture from cooking, showers, and laundry has nowhere to go, causing window condensation and mould in damp Lower Mainland winters. HRVs are common in newer BC construction because building code requires mechanical ventilation in new homes, and an HRV is one way to provide it.
Practical guidance
Clean or replace HRV filters and clean the core as the manufacturer directs, and check the outdoor intake hood is not blocked. Ask for the system to be balanced so supply and exhaust airflow match; an unbalanced HRV can pressurize or depressurize the house.