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Fresh Air Systems FAQ

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Air Exchangers FAQ

Why would I need an air exchanger for my home?

Answer

The air circulation within your home may be good, but more likely the air quality is poor. It's damp, stuffy, or making you sick. Replacing appliances such as a furnace or water heater, installing new windows or adding siding to a home changes the air leakage rate. Any improvements made to a home that reduces airflow in a house may result in insufficient natural ventilation. Excess moisture destroys your windows and building structure. Mold, mildew, carbon monoxide and chemical pollutants are harmful to human health. You need to build tight, but more important, ventilate right.

Would I be able improve my air quality with just a bathroom or kitchen ventilator?

Answer

Healthy indoor air requires you add a mixture of regular fresh outdoor air. Tighter building construction causes negative pressure when bath fans, kitchen range vents, clothes dryers and other exhaust equipment are in use. Your vent fans suffer. They will not be effective and motors will wear out more quickly.

What is the difference between an air exchanger and a bathroom or kitchen ventilator?

Answer

Ventilators do not recover heat; it exhausts air from the home. An air exchanger with a heat recovery core raises the temperature of the fresh air being drawn into the home. Reheating costs become minimal in comparison to heating air being drawn in through cracks and leaks in your building structure.

May I vent my bath fans through an air exchanger's ductwork?

Answer

All ventilation systems be it an air exchangers, bathroom or kitchen ventilators should always have dedicated duct work installed for optimum functionality and efficiently.

How much fresh air is needed in a home?

Answer

New home: Please refer to your local building codes.

Existing home: Please refer to the literature online.

Who installs air exchangers?

Answer

The choice is yours. You can do-it yourself or trust the installation from one of our recommended installer program where available.

What types of controls are available to operate the IAQ equipment?

Answer

An electronic wall control is provided with the purchase of the IAQ system, this allows you to easily control your unit. It includes four modes (low, high, intermittent and recirculation) as well as a filter maintenance indicator and a fresh air indicator.

Where is an air exchanger installed?

Answer

The HR 5.1 and HF 7.1 units require a floor or pipe drain to evacuate the water produced by the functioning of the unit. They should be installed within an area of the house where the ambient temperature is above 10°C) (basement, furnace room, closet, etc.).

The HV 1.5 unit can also be installed in the attic.

Can I connect my air exchanger to my furnace so it only runs when my furnace is running?

Answer

No, it is impossible to synchronize these two systems. However, you can connect the HR 5.1 or HF 7.1 unit to a forced air system (but not the HV 1.5 unit). Take note that if you are in the habit of closing bedroom doors or other rooms you may have "dead air pockets" in your home. The furnace blower helps the fresh, dry air reach the rooms farthest from the ventilator.

Why must I have a balanced ventilation system?

Answer

Recent studies show that natural ventilation (leaks and cracks) does not provide adequate fresh air into houses. Energy efficient construction has challenged us to overcome the bad health effects and damaging humidity that tightly constructed buildings have caused. Natural ventilation does not provide adequate ventilation to control these contaminants.

Also on attic fans I`m not sure if I advised you on this one or not yet.

What temperature should the thermostat of the Attic Fan/Ventilator be set on?

Answer

This usually is set around 110ºF, depending on your climate. If it seems to run too much, raise the setting by 10º.

Do air exchangers create humidity?

Answer

An air exchanger unit will not create humidity. It is used to exhaust excess humid air and replace it with dry air in winter. A humidifier may still be needed.

I have an indoor swimming pool, which unit do I need?

Answer

In this particular case, you should contact an HVAC professional.

Can the crawl space be vented with the same unit as the house?

Answer

Crawl space has to be vented with a separate unit. The principle is that unconditioned space air cannot be mixed with livable space air.

Are there some requirements regarding new constructions?

Answer

The municipalities have regulations regarding home ventilation; it is important to verify which regulations your municipality applies. The municipalities are in charge of applying these on their territories.

Why can’t I reduce my humidity level in the summer time?

Answer

In summer, humidity level in the house varies with the outdoor conditions (mainly noticeable in the basement). A dehumidifier or an air conditioning system may still be needed.

I already have a ventilation unit, why is there still condensation on my windows?

Answer

The air exchanger is used to exhaust excess humid air in winter. Therefore, it is normal to see fog or ice on windows during cold weather. Many factors may contribute to this problem, such as: windows poor insulation quality, heating temperature, barrier in front of the windows (lack of ventilation near the windows caused by blinds, curtains, etc.), dominant winds, drastic changes in outside temperature, etc.
Do not wait to heat your home, especially in the basement. It will remove moisture that has accumulated during summer.