Heat Recovery Ventilator Installation

HRV units help improve the home's air quality.

Many homeowners use central air furnaces for heating the house during the cold wintry months. However, constant heating of cool air requires the homeowner to pay large energy bills at the end of the month. But, homeowners can install heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) as an alternative heating method. HRVs use the heat from the air exiting the structure for warming the incoming fresh air, saving on energy expenditures and improving overall interior air quality from the incoming fresh air. Specific installation procedures must be followed for the best warm air output from the unit.

Things You'll Need

• Heat recovery ventilator
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• 2 ring clamps

Instructions

1. Mount the HRV against a wall with the supplied bracket and screws using a screwdriver. Make sure the location is near the outside for venting air. Common locations are in a basement, closet or laundry room.

2. Attach the drain line to the HRV. The drain line should empty into a nearby drain for any condensate accumulation from the HRV.

3. Connect the intake ducting within the home to the HRV's air intake port. The intake ducting is typically located higher on the wall than the output duct, allowing fresh cool air to enter the home.

4. Attach the output air duct to the HRV. Confirm that all ducts are secured with ring clamps for preventing accidental detachments.

5. Connect the HRV's electrical wiring to the home's main electrical panel. Each HRV manufacturer uses different wiring configurations. Consult the owner's manual for specific wiring instructions. Typically, a HRV must have its own dedicated circuit on the electrical panel to avoid tripping a circuit breaker.

6. Connect the HRV to the home's thermostat by following the specific owner's manual instructions for wiring configurations. Turn the HRV on and test the functions.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the intake and output ducting are separated from one another. The HRV will not be able to function adequately if these two air masses mix from being in close proximity to each other as they exit and enter the structure.

• Use extreme caution when configuring the electrical wiring. Consult a professional electrician if the installer is unfamiliar with electrical connections. Electricity can easily injure a person or cause death.

References

• "Popular Mechanics": How It Works: Heat Recovery Ventilator
• Fantech: VHR 704 Heat Recovery Ventilator Installation Manual