Installation of a Broan-NuTone HRV160 ECM air exchanger in Hudson, Vaudreuil-Soulanges

A well-sealed house that could no longer breathe: the assignment we received in Hudson

Homes in Hudson have a characteristic we rarely encounter elsewhere in Greater Montreal: they age well, are renovated in successive waves, and each wave makes them a little more airtight. New windows, spray foam in the rim joist, replaced doors, renewed caulking. The result is excellent for the heating bill, but problematic for air quality.

This is exactly the scenario presented to us by the owners of a single-family home in Hudson, west of the island. Their symptoms were classic and cumulative: heavy condensation at the bottom of the windows whenever the mercury dropped below -10 °C, cooking odors that lingered upstairs until the following morning, a basement bedroom that consistently felt heavier than the rest of the house, and a relative humidity level measured at 61% in the middle of January. None of these signs is random. They are the signatures of a high-performance building envelope deprived of mechanical ventilation.

The selected solution: a air exchanger Broan-NuTone HRV160 ECM (model number HRV160TE), suspended in the basement mechanical space, with a dedicated duct network and balancing measured with a manometer. Here's how we proceeded, what proved more complicated than expected, and what this installation changed in practical terms.

The assessment before the proposal: what we systematically measure

At AirGreen, we never recommend an air exchanger model before quantifying the actual requirement. A technical visit allowed us to record the conditioned living area, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, presence of a finished basement, joist configuration, and location of the exterior walls available for penetrations.

The continuous airflow calculation is based on two complementary references. The CSA F326 standard, which governs residential mechanical ventilation in Canada, establishes the total required capacity based on the number and type of rooms. The ASHRAE 62.2-2010 formula, reproduced in Broan's technical documentation, provides a quick verification reference:

CFM = 0.01 × area (sq. ft.) + 7.5 × (number of bedrooms + 1)

For a 2,400 sq. ft. home with four bedrooms, that gives 24 + 37.5 = 61.5 CFM of continuous ventilation. This figure may seem modest. It is not: this is an airflow rate that runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and must be capable of doubling in boost mode when someone is showering or dinner is cooking. This is precisely why we never size a unit to its maximum capacity: an HRV operating continuously at 100% of its range is noisy, energy-intensive, and causes its motor components to wear out prematurely.

HRV or ERV: why the heat recovery ventilator is the right choice in Hudson

The question comes up in nearly all of our HVAC installation projects, and the answer depends on the climate, not on trends.

An ERV (energy recovery ventilator) transfers both heat and some moisture between the two air streams. It excels in hot, humid climates, where the goal is to prevent outdoor humidity from entering, or in very small, very dry homes during winter.

An HRV (heat recovery ventilator) transfers heat but releases moisture outdoors. In a Hudson home occupied by a family, with daily showers, active cooking, plants, and a basement, excess winter humidity is the problem to solve, not a resource to preserve. The HRV is therefore the appropriate unit, and that is what we recommend for the vast majority of our projects on the North Shore, the South Shore, in Laval, Longueuil, and the West Island.

A direct and often overlooked consequence: an HRV produces condensation. It generates water, especially in very cold weather, and requires a functional drain with a trap. In the photo of this installation, the condensate tube is visible beneath the unit, connected to a drain. An air exchanger installed without an adequate drain will eventually discharge its water onto the slab or into the finished basement ceiling.

The Broan-NuTone HRV160 ECM in detail

The HRV160 ECM belongs to Broan-NuTone’s HE series, a product line designed around low electricity consumption and filtration. The manufacturer’s technical data:

• Model number: HRV160TE
• Continuous airflow: 40 to 176 CFM at 0.2 in. w.g. — 53 to 156 CFM at 0.4 in. w.g.
• Sensible recovery efficiency (SRE): 75% at 0 °C and 64% at -25 °C
• Apparent sensible efficiency: 83% at 0 °C
• Fan efficiency: 2.0 CFM/watt at 0 °C
• Filtration: MERV 9 (replacement filter SV18205)
• Certification : ENERGY STAR
• Connections: four 6-inch ports located on top of the unit
• Dimensions: 24 3/16 × 23 3/16 × 14 15/16 in (approximately 61.4 × 58.9 × 38 cm)
• Weight: 52 lb (approximately 23.6 kg)
• Warranty: 5 years on parts, limited lifetime warranty on the core

What 75% heat-recovery efficiency actually represents

The figure remains abstract until it is translated into actual air. On a day at -25 °C, fresh air enters the unit at -25 °C and stale air leaves the house at 21 °C. With an SRE of 64% at this temperature, the fresh air is preheated to approximately 4 °C before being distributed, without any heating element being activated. The difference between ventilating with a simple exhaust fan and ventilating with an HRV therefore amounts to nearly 30 degrees of free warming, continuously, throughout the entire heating season.

This is also why a properly installed air exchanger does not significantly increase the bill for a heat pump or central system: the additional load imposed on the heating unit remains marginal.

The ECM motor: a detail that matters over twelve months

The ECM suffix refers to electronically commutated motors. In a unit that runs continuously, the difference in consumption compared with a conventional motor becomes significant: Broan estimates the average electrical savings of its ECM motors at approximately 67% compared with standard motors. With an efficiency of 2.0 CFM/watt, the HRV160 ECM delivers its rated airflow while consuming about as much electricity as a light bulb.

Installation, step by step

1. Unit suspension. The unit was suspended from the joists using four chains with hooks and dampers. This mounting method, visible in the photo, is not a shortcut: it mechanically decouples the unit from the wood structure and prevents vibrations from being transmitted to the upstairs floor. An HRV screwed directly to a joist is an HRV you can hear in the living room.
2. Ductwork. Four 6-inch insulated flexible ducts connect the upper ports: two to the outside (fresh-air intake and stale-air exhaust), and two to the interior network (fresh-air distribution and stale-air return). The transitions were made using galvanized rigid duct with adjustable elbows, and each joint was sealed with approved aluminum tape, never ordinary duct tape.
3. Wall penetrations and exterior hoods. The two penetrations were made through the rim joist, insulated and sealed, then fitted with separate exterior hoods. The minimum distance between the intake and exhaust was maintained to prevent recirculation of discharged air, and the intake was positioned away from the dryer vent, plumbing vent, and parking area.
4. Condensate drain. The drain was connected with a trap to an existing drain, with a continuous slope and water testing before commissioning.
5. Electrical supply. The unit is connected to a dedicated 120 V outlet located in the mechanical space, in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.
6. Wall control. A Broan main control from the VT7W series was installed on the main floor, with a dehumidistat function and intermittent mode. VB60W-type auxiliary switches can be added in the bathrooms to trigger a 20-, 40-, or 60-minute high-speed cycle.
7. Balancing and commissioning. Measuring the supply and exhaust airflow rates using a balancing kit, adjusting the dampers, and providing the customer with the commissioning sheet.

Balancing, the step too many installers skip

An air exchanger whose two airflow rates are not balanced ceases to be a ventilation appliance and becomes a machine for creating problems. Under positive pressure, the house pushes humid air into wall cavities, where it condenses upon contact with the dew point. Under negative pressure, it draws air through every available gap: crawl space, floor drain, and especially the venting of a combustion appliance, which can cause combustion gases to backdraft.

Balancing is measured. It is not estimated by ear or by hand in front of a grille. We use measuring ports installed on the ducts and a pressure gauge to compare the two airflow rates, then adjust the dampers until an acceptable difference is achieved. This step takes time, it is not spectacular, and it is what distinguishes a lasting installation from one that will result in another service call.

The challenges specific to Hudson homes

Every area has its own technical realities, and Hudson is no exception.

• Limited basement ceiling clearance. Many homes in the area have basements with restricted clearance because of plumbing ducts, beams, and existing pipes. The HRV160 ECM, with its top-mounted connections, allows for compact suspension but requires approximately 30 cm of clearance above the unit for the elbows.
• Gravel roads and abundant pollen. The wooded environment and unpaved roads in some areas load the outdoor air with particles. The standard MERV 9 filtration on this model is a tangible advantage here, and we recommend checking the filters more frequently than in an urban setting.
• Large temperature swings. Vaudreuil-Soulanges winters regularly fall below -25 °C. The integrated defrost cycle and performance maintained at low temperatures become selection criteria, not options.
• Mixed construction types. Between a century-old village house and a recent build, the feasibility of the duct network can vary threefold. We always confirm the routing before finalizing a price.

The mistakes we see most often

• Connecting the HRV only to the furnace return without dedicated ducts, making ventilation dependent on the central fan operating.
• Using long sections of slack flexible duct with tight bends: every metre of poorly tensioned flexible duct adds pressure loss that reduces the actual airflow.
• Placing the fresh-air intake near a source of contamination: dryer exhaust, plumbing vent, parking area, garbage bin.
• Neglecting the drain trap, which allows the unit to draw air from the drain line and bring sewer odors into the house.
• Setting the dehumidistat once and forgetting about it. The humidity setting must be lowered as the outdoor temperature drops; otherwise, condensation will reappear on the windows.
• Confusing an HRV with an air purifier. An HRV replaces indoor air; it does not replace fine central filtration in the heating system.

Maintaining a Broan-NuTone HRV

An HRV is one of the easiest HVAC appliances to maintain, provided you keep up with it:

• Every 3 months: remove and clean or replace the filters (SV18205 for this model). During pollen season or renovations, shorten the interval.
• Every 6 months: remove the heat-recovery core, vacuum it, and rinse it with warm soapy water, then let it dry completely before reinstalling it.
• Every 12 months: inspect the outdoor hoods, remove leaves, insects, and lint, check that the grille is not blocked by frost, and confirm that the drain is flowing properly.
• Every 3 to 5 years: have the system balance checked by a technician, especially after any renovation that has modified the duct network.

HVAC maintenance for the air exchanger is often included in the annual maintenance visit for the heat pump or central system, avoiding an additional service call.

Regulations and assistance programs

In Quebec, mechanical ventilation in homes is governed by the Construction Code and the CSA F326 standard. Novoclimat-certified new homes require a balanced ventilation system: the HRV is the usual solution.

Regarding assistance programs, the situation changes regularly and should be checked on a case-by-case basis. The air exchanger is rarely subsidized as standalone equipment; it is generally part of a comprehensive energy assessment such as Rénoclimat, in which building-envelope improvements and ventilation are considered together. Before work begins, we confirm the programs in effect with each customer at the time of installation rather than promise an amount that may no longer be available.

Have your Broan-NuTone air exchanger installed with AirGreen

We design, install, and maintain residential ventilation systems in Hudson, Saint-Lazare, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Rigaud, the West Island, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore.

Our approach is based on three commitments. We measure before making a recommendation: living area, number of rooms, routing constraints, and existing combustion appliances. We install with durable materials: rigid ducts wherever possible, aluminum sealing, vibration-isolating suspension, and a drain with a trap. We balance and document the system: every installation leaves with its measured airflow rates recorded, so the next technician knows exactly how the system was adjusted.

For an assessment of your HVAC installation needs or a quote for a Broan-NuTone air exchanger, contact our team. We come to your location, take measurements, and explain what you are buying before you buy it.