Installation of an Air Exchanger/LifeBreath air exchanger in Sainte-Dorothée (Laval): healthy ventilation, summer and winter
In Sainte-Dorothée (Laval), AirGreen installed an Air Exchanger/LifeBreath (HRV type) air exchanger with insulated ducts, drainage and flow balancing, to improve air quality and control humidity in winter.
Generic illustration of this type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Tap a number.
It removes stale air and brings in fresh air. The two airflows cross in the core without mixing.
It recovers part of the heat from the outgoing air to temper the incoming air. Depending on the model, it also manages humidity.
An outdoor hood, kept away from the exhaust so the house does not pull back the air it just removed.
Humid, stale air leaves through its own hood, fitted with a damper.
The ducts that connect to the outside are insulated to prevent condensation inside the house.
Stale air is drawn from humid rooms and fresh air is sent to living areas. The airflows are balanced.
It sets the mode and speed. You use it more when the house is humid or full of people.
Depending on the model and the season, the core produces condensation, removed through a drain with its loop.
In many Laval homes, especially those that are well-insulated (or renovated over the years), indoor air quality quickly becomes a real issue: accumulated humidity, persistent odors, condensation on windows, and a feeling of stuffiness in winter. In Sainte-Dorothée, we were recently called in to optimize the ventilation of a residence where the air wasn't being renewed sufficiently.
The chosen solution: the installation of an Air Exchanger/LifeBreath air exchanger , a device designed to remove stale air and introduce fresh air, while maintaining thermal comfort adapted to the Quebec climate.
Why an air exchanger has become essential in a Quebec home
An air exchanger (often called an HRV – heat recovery ventilator) allows you to:
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Reduce excessive humidity (especially in winter, when the house is closed up and daily activities produce a lot of steam).
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Remove indoor pollutants : VOCs (household products, paint), cooking odors, stagnant air, fine dust.
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Improve comfort by limiting temperature differences and making the air more breathable.
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Protecting the building : less condensation = less risk of mold, stains and material degradation.
In Montreal and on the North/South Shore, you often see very airtight houses… but without properly adjusted mechanical ventilation. As a result, the building “retains” everything. With an Air Exchanger/LifeBreath , you regain control.
The installed system: Air Exchanger/LifeBreath (consistent model: LifeBreath RNC5-ES )
In this project, the visible device is a wall-mounted Air Exchanger/LifeBreath , residential size, ideal for a single-family home or a semi-detached house.
Even though the nameplate is not clearly legible in the photo, the configuration and dimensions correspond very well to a model from the LifeBreath RNC range, often chosen for:
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its reliability ,
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its balanced ventilation capacity ,
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and its compatibility with a compact residential installation.
We therefore present here a coherent model for this type of construction site: Air Exchanger/LifeBreath – LifeBreath RNC5-ES .
Installation details observed: a typical configuration in a residential “technical room”
The photo shows an installation in a service area (mechanical corner / utility room), with several important elements:
1) Wall-mounted device, simplified access
The Air Exchanger/LifeBreath unit is wall-mounted , which:
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frees up floor space
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facilitates access to the panel for maintenance.
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reduces the risk of vibrations transmitted to the structure (if the assembly is well dampened).
2) Connections using insulated flexible conduits
Insulated (sheathed) flexible conduits are connected to the unit. This is common for:
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limit heat loss,
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reduce air circulation noise,
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simplify passage through restricted areas.
Our role at AirGreen is to ensure that these ducts are:
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well-sized ,
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as short and straight as possible (less pressure loss = better actual flow rate),
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and well sealed at the joints (appropriate tape/aluminum/collars).
3) Drainage and condensation management
In winter, an air exchanger often produces condensation. A good installation includes:
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a drain (with correct slope),
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protection against odors returning,
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and a configuration that avoids stagnation.
Even when everything seems “functional”, the details of the drainage often make the difference between a stable device… and recurring problems.
4) Power supply and control wiring
We can see the power supply and associated cabling. This is a point we emphasize a lot:
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secure connection
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clean path,
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Functional wall control (or timer),
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and especially fine-tuning the speeds according to the use of the house.
The real added value: the calibration (balancing) of the air exchanger
Installing an air exchanger is a good start. But adjusting it correctly is what transforms ventilation into a concrete result.
At AirGreen, we adjust the system to obtain:
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a balanced flow rate (incoming air = outgoing air),
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ventilation adapted to the occupancy (family, teleworking, pets, frequent cooking, etc.),
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stable operation in extreme cold (cycles, defrosting, actual performance).
An improperly balanced air exchanger can create:
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a house in negative pressure (cold air entering through leaks, discomfort),
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or under overpressure (humidity migrating towards the envelope, long-term risks).
Recommended maintenance for an Air Exchanger/LifeBreath
To maintain consistent air quality:
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Filter cleaning : every 3 months (or more often if renovation/dust).
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Core inspection : depending on the season and the manufacturer's recommendations.
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Checking the vents and grilles : make sure they are not obstructed.
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Annual check-up : ideally before or during the cold season, especially if the house shows signs of dampness.
Conclusion: a healthier home in Sainte-Dorothée, without compromising on comfort
With this Air Exchanger/LifeBreath air exchanger, this Sainte-Dorothée residence gains:
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fresher, better-renewed air
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better control of humidity in winter,
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and increased protection against condensation-related problems.
This is exactly the kind of improvement that can be felt on a daily basis: more comfortable sleep, lighter air, fewer odors, and a house that finally “breathes”.
How it goes, from the first call to the end
The main steps of this kind of job at AirGreen. Every house has its quirks: the estimate brings them out.
We locate the wall for the two outdoor hoods, the unit's spot, service access and the drain.
The unit, its location and the price, in writing.
Hung or set level, with clear access to the filters and the core.
Fresh air intake and exhaust, kept apart and sealed.
The ones connected to the outside are insulated to prevent condensation inside the house.
Connected with its loop, when the unit needs one.
Installed where you will see it and use it.
Incoming and outgoing airflows are adjusted so the house is neither pressurized nor depressurized.
Speeds, filters, core: how to use it through the seasons.
- The on-site estimateWe locate the wall for the two outdoor hoods, the unit's spot, service access and the drain.
- The quoteThe unit, its location and the price, in writing.
- The unitHung or set level, with clear access to the filters and the core.
- The outdoor hoodsFresh air intake and exhaust, kept apart and sealed.
- The ductsThe ones connected to the outside are insulated to prevent condensation inside the house.
- The drainConnected with its loop, when the unit needs one.
- The wall controlInstalled where you will see it and use it.
- BalancingIncoming and outgoing airflows are adjusted so the house is neither pressurized nor depressurized.
- The walkthroughSpeeds, filters, core: how to use it through the seasons.
What to do, season by season
Three habits per season for this unit. They take a few minutes and prevent many calls.
- Clean the filters and core as the manufacturer specifies.
- Check the outdoor hoods: nests, debris, dampers.
- Lower the speed if the outdoor air gets humid.
- Adjust the speed to the humidity in the house.
- Check that the drain flows.
- Keep the outdoor hoods clear.
- Clean the filters before the closed-house season.
- Check the exhaust damper.
- Book a full cleaning if the unit has not had one in a long time.
- Clear snow from both outdoor hoods.
- Raise the speed if condensation appears on windows.
- Let the unit run: with the house closed, humidity builds up.
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What people ask us about this kind of work
What does an air exchanger do?
Does fresh air cool the house in winter?
What speed should it run at?
Does an exchanger need cleaning?
What are the signs of poor ventilation?
HRV or ERV: what is the difference?
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Text and photo: a real AirGreen Climatisation & Chauffage job. The diagrams are generic illustrations of the type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Sources of the added figures: airgreen.ca product pages (NEEP / AHRI performance), Hydro-Québec (Heat pumps page, LogisVert, read on 13 October 2026), Régie de l’énergie (rate D as of 1 April 2026).