Effective ventilation is more than just a luxury in Québec – it's a necessity to ensure optimal indoor air quality, reduce allergens, control humidity, and maximize year-round comfort. At AirGreen, we know that many air exchangers are underused or misconfigured, drastically limiting their impact on your health and energy savings. Let us walk you through our field-proven expert advice to double the efficiency of your air exchanger, without spending a single extra dollar.
Why optimizing your air exchanger is essential
Homeowners across Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore invest in air exchangers to ensure continuous mechanical ventilation. However, many don't take full advantage of what these systems offer. Improper settings, neglected filters, or irregular maintenance can significantly reduce their performance.
What we see in the field: common mistakes and missed opportunities
For years, at AirGreen, we've been installing and maintaining air exchangers in homes, businesses, and multi-unit buildings throughout Greater Montréal. Here are some recurring issues we often find:
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Units set to minimum speed, even during high humidity periods.
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Clogged filters that block airflow, overwork the motor, and reduce efficiency.
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Lack of coordination between the air exchanger and other HVAC components.
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Units running at the wrong time – like during winter nights or summer days with open windows.
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No duct cleaning or airflow calibration ever performed.
The 7 expert secrets to optimize your air exchanger for free
1. Smartly reprogram your unit
Setting your air exchanger to follow your daily routine is key. For instance:
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Run it at full power during showers or cooking.
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Lower the setting when the house is empty.
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In winter, run it during the day, when indoor humidity is highest.
This simple tweak can boost efficiency by over 30%, without spending a cent.
2. Clean or replace filters every 3 months
Clogged filters force the system to work harder. The result? Higher energy use and reduced performance. Regular cleaning ensures:
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Consistent airflow.
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Better indoor air quality.
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Longer lifespan for your unit.
3. Keep all exhaust grilles open
We often see clients in Montréal or Laval closing vents in some rooms to “save energy.” This creates airflow imbalance, reduces ventilation, and causes negative pressure in some zones. Keep all vents open: your system will run more efficiently and evenly.
4. Use the "dehumidify" mode in winter
Many air exchangers include a humidity control function. In winter, outside air is very dry, but indoor humidity builds up from cooking, showers, etc. The “dehumidify” mode removes this excess moisture, reducing mold risk while keeping comfort levels steady.
5. Adjust usage based on the season
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In summer, lower or shut off the exchanger if your windows are open.
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In winter, increase usage to reduce window condensation and purify air.
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In spring and fall, adjust cycles according to temperature and humidity changes.
6. Position your furniture wisely
A frequently overlooked issue: furniture blocking exhaust vents. A sofa or cabinet in front of a vent restricts airflow. We recommend leaving at least 12 inches (30 cm) of clearance around each vent.
7. Sync your air exchanger with your heating or cooling system
If you have a central heat pump or a wall-mounted air conditioner, syncing the air exchanger with those systems helps circulate treated air more effectively. At AirGreen, we’ve set up several systems in Montréal and Longueuil where running the heat pump and air exchanger together reduced humidity levels by 15%, while improving indoor air quality.
Real-life example: a family on the South Shore solves a humidity issue for free
In Boucherville, we worked with a family who had a high-performance air exchanger… but it was poorly configured. Despite a modern unit, they struggled with high humidity in the bathroom and condensation on windows.
During a routine HVAC maintenance visit, we:
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Reprogrammed the ventilation schedule to match the family’s lifestyle.
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Unblocked a vent hidden behind furniture.
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Cleaned the filters and recalibrated airflow.
The result: within a week, humidity levels returned to normal, and comfort noticeably improved — with zero extra cost.
Why choose AirGreen for your air exchanger needs
At AirGreen, our expertise goes beyond installation. We analyze the actual performance of every system installed throughout Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore to ensure long-term optimization. Our skilled technicians take the time to adjust, calibrate, and educate our clients, so they get the most out of their equipment — without unnecessary expenses.
Key takeaways
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Have your air exchanger inspected annually.
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Clean filters every season.
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Watch for signs of poor performance: lingering humidity, odors, unusual noise.
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Schedule operation based on your lifestyle.
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Keep vents unobstructed.
Trust AirGreen
Do you own a Venmar, Lifebreath, Fantech or Aldes air exchanger? Want to make sure it’s set up for your actual needs? Our specialists in residential and commercial mechanical ventilation are here to help you optimize your system at no additional cost, during your next maintenance visit.
AirGreen – your trusted partner in ventilation and air exchangers across Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore.