HRV & ERV Systems
HRV and ERV Installation and Repair in Ontario
Fresh Air Without Throwing Away Heat
Stuffy rooms and dripping windows mean your home needs fresh air. EHI installs, balances, cleans and repairs HRV and ERV systems across Ontario.
- HRV and ERV installation, sized and balanced to code
- Ties into your furnace, air handler or dedicated ducting
- Core cleaning, filter service and repair for any brand
- Required mechanical ventilation for new Ontario homes
Voted Best Company 2019 to 2021 · Authorized Midea, Lennox, Kepler & Rinnai dealer, plus Goodman · 20+ years
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HRV vs ERV: which one does your Ontario home need?
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) exhausts stale indoor air and pulls in the same amount of fresh outdoor air, passing both through a core that transfers heat from the outgoing stream to the incoming one. In January you get fresh air at a fraction of the heating cost of an open window.
An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) does the same thing and also transfers moisture. In winter it keeps some humidity in the house instead of drying it out. In humid July weather it keeps some outdoor moisture out, which helps your air conditioner.
In most of Ontario an HRV is the standard choice, especially for homes that run humid in winter. An ERV suits homes that get too dry with an HRV, or homes with heat pump cooling where summer humidity is the bigger fight. We look at your home, your heating system and how humid it runs, and tell you which one fits, not just the one on the truck. Both units are sized to the ventilation rate the Ontario Building Code sets for your bedroom count and floor area.
Problems an HRV or ERV fixes
If any of these sound familiar, your home is probably not getting enough fresh air.
Condensation on the windows every winter morning
Moisture from showers, cooking and breathing has nowhere to go in a tight house. An HRV exhausts that humid air and brings in dry fresh air, so the windows stay clear and the sills stop rotting.
Stale, stuffy bedrooms and lingering cooking smells
Continuous low-speed ventilation changes the air in the whole house around the clock, with a boost switch in the kitchen and bathrooms for when you need more.
New build or major renovation and the inspector wants mechanical ventilation
The Ontario Building Code requires mechanical ventilation in new homes. We size and install an HRV or ERV to the required rate, balance it, and provide the documentation for your occupancy inspection.
You added spray foam or new windows and the house feels different
You made it tight, which is good, but the old leaks were your ventilation. An HRV restores fresh air without undoing the energy savings.
The existing HRV is loud, blows cold air or trips on frost
Usually a dirty core and filters, a failed defrost damper or a motor on its way out. HRV repair and a proper core cleaning solves most of it. If it is 20 years old, we will tell you if replacement is the better value.
Mould spots in bathroom corners and closets
Surface mould is a humidity problem. Lowering indoor humidity with balanced ventilation removes the conditions it needs to grow.
Sound familiar?
Describe the problem and we'll tell you what it usually is, what it costs to fix, and whether it's worth fixing.
What is included in an EHI HRV installation with your furnace or air handler
- Ventilation rate calculated from bedrooms and floor area to the Ontario Building Code requirement
- Unit hung on vibration isolators in the furnace room or mechanical space
- Insulated intake and exhaust ducts to exterior hoods, located away from dryer and furnace vents
- Connection to the furnace or air handler return, or dedicated supply and exhaust ducts to bathrooms and bedrooms
- Condensate drain with trap, and 120V connection by ESA-licensed electricians
- Balancing of supply and exhaust airflow with a manometer, so the house is neither pressurized nor depressurized
- Wall control and bathroom boost timers, interlocked with the furnace fan where needed
- Walk-through of filter cleaning, seasonal settings and the defrost cycle
HRV cleaning, filter service and repair
An HRV is a small machine that runs almost continuously. It needs an annual service, and almost nobody gives it one.
- 1
Core and filter cleaning
We pull the core, wash it, clean or replace the filters and vacuum the cabinet and fan housings. A clogged core cuts airflow and heat recovery in half.
- 2
Hoods, ducts and drain
Exterior hoods get packed with lint, leaves and nests. We clear them, check the insulated ducts for sagging or condensation and flush the drain.
- 3
Motors, dampers and controls
We test both fans, the defrost damper and the wall control, and replace what is worn. Then we rebalance the airflows and record the readings.
What it costs, and how we keep it lower
Guaranteed pricing
Your quote is your final price. No surprise extras on the agreed scope of work.
Rebates up to $7,500
Cold-climate heat pumps may qualify through the Home Renovation Savings Program. We confirm eligibility and file the paperwork.
0% financing
Interest-free for 3, 6 or 9 months, or open loans from 2.99% on approved credit.
Up to 12 years parts and labour
Extended warranty on select systems when registered.
Want the real number for your home?
A guaranteed quote takes one visit. Rebate and financing options come with it.
Why Ontario homes and businesses choose EHI Heating And Cooling
20+ years in Ontario homes
We've installed through more January cold snaps and July heat waves than we can count. That experience shows up in the sizing, the ductwork and the little details.
Voted Best Company 2019 to 2021
HomeStars Verified. Our reviews come from real Ontario homeowners and business owners.
Authorized Midea, Lennox, Kepler and Rinnai dealer, plus Goodman
Factory-backed equipment, factory-backed warranties, and techs trained on the gear we install. We install and service Goodman too.
Guaranteed final pricing
The number on your quote is the number on your invoice. We may also beat comparable reputable quotes by up to 10%.
Rebate paperwork handled
Pre-approval, heat-loss calculation and documentation for the Home Renovation Savings Program. You just sign.
Licensed, certified crews
TSSA-certified gas technicians, licensed refrigeration techs and ESA-licensed electrical work on every job.
Ready when you are
Call us or send the form. Quotes are free, guaranteed and come with your rebate estimate.
HVAC service across Ontario
We're a service-area business. Our crews come to your home or business, from the GTA to Northern Ontario. Don't see your town? Call, we probably cover it.
Toronto and York Region
Simcoe, Muskoka and cottage country
Hamilton and Niagara
Southwestern Ontario
Eastern Ontario
Serving Ontario from our Stouffville office
Find us on Google, get directions, or check our hours. Our crews travel to your home or business across the province.
EHI Heating And Cooling (Efficient Home Improvements)
- Phone
1-647-694-5845 - Email
efficienthomecomfort@gmail.com - Service area
All of Ontario. See the cities we serve
Hours
- Monday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Tuesday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Wednesday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Thursday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Friday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Saturday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Sunday10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Emergency service available outside these hours.
- Office
4261 Bloomington Road, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON L4A 3Y6
Frequently asked questions
How much does HRV installation cost in Ontario?
HRV installation cost in Ontario depends on the unit size, whether it ties into existing furnace ductwork or needs dedicated ducts, and how far the exterior hoods are from the mechanical room. EHI provides a guaranteed installed quote after a site visit, and HRV work is often bundled with a furnace or heat pump installation.
What is the difference between an HRV and an ERV?
An HRV (heat recovery ventilator) transfers heat between the outgoing and incoming air streams. An ERV (energy recovery ventilator) transfers heat and moisture, so it keeps some humidity in the house in winter and keeps some out in summer. HRVs are the usual choice in Ontario, and ERVs suit homes that run too dry or rely on heat pump cooling.
Does my house need an HRV?
Any Ontario home built to current code is required to have mechanical ventilation, and the Ontario Building Code requires it in new homes. Older homes that have been air-sealed, spray-foamed or had windows replaced often need one too. Window condensation, stale air and lingering odours are the usual signs.
Can an HRV be connected to my furnace?
Yes. The most common HRV installation with a furnace connects the fresh air supply to the furnace return duct so the furnace blower distributes it, with exhaust pulled from bathrooms or a central point. Homes without ducts get dedicated supply and exhaust ducting instead.
How often should an HRV be cleaned?
Clean or replace HRV filters every two to three months and have the core professionally cleaned and the system rebalanced once a year. Exterior hoods should be checked each fall for leaves and lint.
Why is my HRV blowing cold air?
An HRV that blows cold air usually has a dirty core that is no longer recovering heat, a defrost damper stuck open, or airflows that are badly out of balance. A core cleaning, damper repair and rebalance normally fixes it. In extreme cold a small drop in supply temperature is normal.