LIFEBREATH · HRV AND ERVThe Lifebreath space at AirGreenLifebreath air exchangers, verified specs and installation by AirGreen in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore.

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Lifebreath · Updated October 13, 2026

Lifebreath air exchangers: the right HRV or ERV, from condo to house

An air exchanger sends stale air out and brings fresh air in, recovering the heat on the way. At Lifebreath, the core of a residential HRV carries a lifetime warranty, and the METRO series is designed for condos and apartments.

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HRV: the core transfers heat only. The two airstreams never mix.

Lifetime: residential HRV core (Lifebreath)
5 years: residential ERV core and other components
54 %: Code threshold at -25 °C for an HRV in Greater Montréal
17: published Lifebreath projects

AirGreen × LIFEBREATHHRVs and ERVsLifetime residential HRV coreMETRO series for condosInstalled by AirGreen17 published Lifebreath projectsMontréal · Laval · Longueuil · South Shore · North Shore

01 · Your home

Condo, townhouse, house or business?

Pick your type of building: we show what Lifebreath says about it, and the models we offer.

Lifebreath designs the METRO series for high-rise condos, apartments and townhomes with limited mechanical space. The cabinet is 9.75 in high and fits a bulkhead or drop ceiling, with 5 in side ports.

METRO ERVs need no drain according to Lifebreath; the METRO 120D and 120F HRVs do.

02 · The lineup

Six Lifebreath families on our site

Model counts are from our product sheets as of October 13, 2026. Descriptions come from Lifebreath’s sheets and website.

METRO series

4 HRV · 5 ERV

Designed by Lifebreath for high-rise condos, apartments and townhomes with limited mechanical space. 9.75 in high, 5 in side ports.

RNC series

11 HRV · 1 ERV

Lifebreath’s top-port residential HRVs. Lifebreath calls the RNC4-TPD ideal for small homes and townhomes; it gives no stated use for the others.

MAX series

3 HRV · 2 ERV

Higher airflows. Lifebreath presents the ECM-motor 267 MAX for mid to large sized homes.

DCS

2 HRV

The 195 DCS is a dual-core HRV (Lifebreath sheet: 193 CFM, 6 and 7 in ports).

Other ERVs

4 ERV

Residential ERVs outside METRO: 30 ERV, 130 ERVD, 180 ERVD-AB and 180 ERVD-FID.

Commercial

14 HRV · 6 ERV

Commercial HRVs and ERVs, including pool models. Performance data on quotation.

AirGreen × LIFEBREATH

A Lifebreath exchanger, a local team.

Lifebreath designs the core and the lineup. AirGreen picks the model with you and installs it. Each does what it does best.

What Lifebreath brings

Lifetime coreOn residential HRVs; 5 years on other components, per the Lifebreath warranty.
The METRO seriesDesigned for condos, apartments and townhomes with limited space.
HRVs and ERVsFrom the small RNC4-TPD to commercial and pool models.
Head office in OntarioAiria Brands, in London, Ontario, part of the Zehnder Group since February 2022.

What AirGreen brings

Installed by AirGreenIn Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore.
Free on-site estimateWe see the home before suggesting a model.
17 published Lifebreath projectsIn our Nos réalisations blog, from 2024 to 2026.
RBQ 5645-9605-01Subclasses 15.8, 15.10 and 16.

The result: the right Lifebreath, HRV or ERV, chosen with you and installed by AirGreen. Price on quotation.

Find my model Book my free estimate

03 · HRV or ERV

Two cores, two warranties

Both ventilate the same way and meet the same ventilation requirements. The difference is the core. The diagram at the top of the page shows both.

	HRV	ERV
What the core recovers	Heat	Heat and part of the moisture
Humidifies or dehumidifies?	No	No. It transfers moisture between the airstreams when outdoor air is very dry or very humid.
Drain	Yes, condensate drain	Depends on the model (METRO ERVs: no drain)
Core care	Usually washable	Often vacuum only
Core warranty (residential)	Lifetime	5 years
What Lifebreath says	The best choice for colder climates	Suited to humid outdoor air and dry indoor conditions

Sources: Lifebreath blog on HRVs and ERVs (July 15, 2025), Lifebreath consumer brochure (2026), HRV and ERV pages on lifebreath.com, Lifebreath warranty page (May 1, 2025).

04 · Montréal cold

Efficiency at -25 °C, model by model

Québec’s Construction Code calls for an HVI-certified HRV that recovers at least 54% of the heat at -25 °C where there are fewer than 6,000 degree-days, as in Greater Montréal (60% elsewhere).

RNC 205 PLUS HRV73 %
155 MAX 2019 HRV70 %
267 MAX HRV70 %
RNC 155 HRV70 %
205 MAX HRV69 %
RNC 205 HRV69 %
195 DCS HRV68 %
130 ERVD ERV65 %
RNC4-TPD HRV65 %
RNC6-HEX-TPD HRV65 %
MAX XTR ERV64 %
METRO XTR ERV63 %
METRO 120D HRV61 %
RNC5-TPD HRV61 %
180 ERVD-AB ERV60 %
180 ERVD-FID ERV60 %
RNC 200 HRV60 %
RNC6-ES HRV60 %
METRO 120D-ECM HRV59 %
METRO 120 ERVD ERV57 %
RNC 88 HRV57 %
RNC5-HEX-TPF HRV57 %
267 MAX ERV ERV56 %
METRO 120 ERVD-ECM ERV56 %
RNC5-TPF HRV56 %

Bars: 40% to 90%. Figures from our product sheets (HVI directory section III, or the Lifebreath sheet when HVI gives none). No published value at -25 °C: 30 ERV, 350 DCS, METRO 120 ERV, METRO 120 ERV-ECM, METRO 120F, METRO 120F-ECM, RNC 110.

05 · Size

What airflow for my home?

Same rule as our product sheets: 0.35 air changes per hour, 9 ft ceilings. Each model covers a floor-area range computed from its net airflow at 0.4 in.

105 CFM of continuous fresh air, roughly

21 Lifebreath models cover this floor area:

METRO 120 ERVD-ECMERV · 106 CFM · 1,200–2,000 sq ft
METRO 120 ERV-ECMERV · 108 CFM · 1,200–2,000 sq ft
METRO 120F-ECMHRV · 110 CFM · 1,200–2,000 sq ft
METRO 120D-ECMHRV · 114 CFM · 1,300–2,100 sq ft
METRO 120 ERVDERV · 123 CFM · 1,400–2,300 sq ft
METRO 120 ERVERV · 125 CFM · 1,400–2,300 sq ft
METRO 120DHRV · 125 CFM · 1,400–2,300 sq ft
METRO XTRERV · 127 CFM · 1,500–2,400 sq ft
METRO 120FHRV · 131 CFM · 1,500–2,400 sq ft
155 MAX 2019HRV · 138 CFM · 1,600–2,600 sq ft
RNC 155HRV · 138 CFM · 1,600–2,600 sq ft
130 ERVDERV · 144 CFM · 1,700–2,700 sq ft
RNC6-ESHRV · 150 CFM · 1,700–2,800 sq ft
RNC 205 PLUSHRV · 153 CFM · 1,800–2,900 sq ft
RNC5-TPDHRV · 155 CFM · 1,800–2,900 sq ft
205 MAXHRV · 170 CFM · 2,000–3,200 sq ft
MAX XTRERV · 170 CFM · 2,000–3,200 sq ft
RNC 205HRV · 170 CFM · 2,000–3,200 sq ft
180 ERVD-ABERV · 172 CFM · 2,000–3,200 sq ft
180 ERVD-FIDERV · 172 CFM · 2,000–3,200 sq ft
RNC5-TPFHRV · 172 CFM · 2,000–3,200 sq ft

An order of magnitude: the final airflow is confirmed on site, room by room, during the estimate.

06 · Compare

Three models side by side

Pick three residential models. Figures come from our product sheets; missing ones stay “on quotation”.

Model 1Model 2Model 3

	METRO 120 ERVD-ECM	RNC 205 PLUS	267 MAX
Type	ERV	HRV	HRV
Net airflow at 0.4 in	106 CFM	153 CFM	261 CFM
Efficiency at 0 °C	74 %	88 %	75 %
Efficiency at -25 °C	56 %	73 %	70 %
Power at test airflow	21 W	74 W	22 W
Ducts	5 in	6 in (oval)	6 in (oval)
Weight	34 lb	57 lb	57 lb
Drain	No	Yes	Yes
Defrost	Damper, recirculation	Damper, recirculation	Damper, recirculation
Core warranty	5 years	Lifetime	Lifetime

07 · Warranty

What Lifebreath covers, and what it does not

Terms from Lifebreath’s warranty page (Canada), modified May 1, 2025 and re-read October 13, 2026.

CoreLifetime

Other components5 years

LabourNot covered

Coverage starts on the install date, no later than 12 months after manufacture.
According to Lifebreath, the labour to install a replacement part is paid by the homeowner.
Work must be done by a certified technician; parts go through a registered servicing dealer.
For the core: a photo of the core and regular maintenance as the manual describes.
Accessories, controls and replacement parts: 1 year.
Lifebreath offers a registration form; its warranty page does not make it mandatory.

08 · Grants in 2026

What really applies to an air exchanger

Checked on each program’s own site on October 13, 2026. Rules change: only the body that pays the aid can confirm it.

Rénoclimat

Not eligible since October 1, 2026

Rénoclimat’s new stream no longer funds HRVs or ERVs. Files opened under the old program can still receive the former aid ($500 for an HVI-certified HRV) if the post-work evaluation is done by March 31, 2027.

LogisVert

No aid for an air exchanger

The eligible measures in Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert guide (version 1.10, September 15, 2026) include neither HRVs nor ERVs.

ENERGY STAR

No claim on this page

Natural Resources Canada certifies HRVs and ERVs. We only show the label when NRCan’s list names the exact model; we could not confirm any Lifebreath model on October 13, 2026.

Federal

Program closed

The Canada Greener Homes Grant is closed. We found no federal program for air exchangers.

09 · Our projects

17 published Lifebreath projects

These are articles in our Nos réalisations blog that name Lifebreath, published as of October 13, 2026: an article is not a job count.

By year

22024

52025

102026

By region

Laval4
Laurentides (North Shore)4
Montréal3
Lanaudière (North Shore)3
South Shore3

Lifebreath air exchanger hung from the ceiling, connected to its insulated ducts

The six most recent

All our projects

10 · Related pages

Keep going with Lifebreath

Lifebreath air exchangersOur Lifebreath page in the air-exchanger category.All our air exchangersHRVs and ERVs from every brand we offer.Free estimateWe visit your home and suggest a model.

11 · Frequently asked questions

What people ask us about Lifebreath

Search a question

HRV or ERV: which one in Montréal?

Lifebreath presents the HRV as the best choice for colder climates, and the ERV for areas with humid outdoor air and dry indoor conditions. Neither one humidifies or dehumidifies. The choice depends on the home: we make it with you during the estimate.

Does Lifebreath make a condo model?

Yes, the METRO series, which Lifebreath designs for high-rise condos, apartments and townhomes with limited mechanical space: 9.75 in high, 5 in side ports, installed in a bulkhead or drop ceiling.

What is the Lifebreath warranty?

Residential HRV: lifetime core and 5 years on other components. Residential ERV: 5 and 5 years. Commercial HRV: 15 and 2 years. Commercial ERV: 5 and 5 years. Accessories and replacement parts: 1 year.

Does the Lifebreath warranty cover labour?

No. According to Lifebreath’s warranty page, the labour to install a replacement part is paid by the homeowner.

Do I need to register the unit?

Lifebreath offers a registration form, but its warranty page does not make it mandatory. Coverage starts on the install date, no later than 12 months after manufacture.

Can I get the $500 Rénoclimat grant?

Not for a new file: since October 1, 2026, HRVs and ERVs are no longer eligible under Rénoclimat. Only files opened under the old program can still receive it, with a post-work evaluation done by March 31, 2027.

Does LogisVert pay for an air exchanger?

No. Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert guide (version 1.10, September 15, 2026) lists neither HRVs nor ERVs among its measures.

Are Lifebreath units ENERGY STAR?

Natural Resources Canada certifies HRVs and ERVs, but we only show the label when its list names the exact model. On October 13, 2026, we could not confirm any: ask us to check the model you are interested in.

Does a Lifebreath HRV meet the Québec Code?

The Code calls for an HVI-certified HRV that recovers at least 54% of the heat at -25 °C in Greater Montréal. Tool 04 ranks our models by that figure, from our product sheets.

Is a drain needed?

An HRV has a condensate drain. For an ERV, it depends on the model: Lifebreath states no drain is required on METRO ERVs. The comparator (06) shows it for each model.

Who makes Lifebreath?

Airia Brands, headquartered in London, Ontario, part of the Zehnder Group since February 2022. Lifebreath says its products are made in an ISO 9001 certified facility in North America, without naming the location.

What do TPD, TPF or HEX mean?

Lifebreath does not define these letters. On its sheets, TPD models use damper (recirculating) defrost, the RNC5-TPF uses fan defrost, and HEX refers to the hexagonal core.

How much does an installed Lifebreath air exchanger cost?

Price on quotation. The on-site estimate is free.

12 · Your Lifebreath project

Fresh air, without losing your heat

Condo, house or business: we come to see the space and suggest the right Lifebreath. Free on-site estimate.

Book my free estimate 514-316-2973

RBQ 5645-9605-01 · subclasses 15.8, 15.10 and 16
Showroom: 1370 Joliot-Curie Street, Unit 712, Boucherville
Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore

Sources checked October 13, 2026

Lifebreath: HRV and ERV pages, spec sheets (RNC4-TPD, RNC5-TPD, RNC6-ES, RNC 155, RNC 205, 267 MAX, 195 DCS, METRO 120 ERV and 120 ERVD), METRO manual, About page; read October 13, 2026.
Lifebreath: warranty page (Canada), modified May 1, 2025, re-read October 13, 2026.
Lifebreath: blog “The Heart of Home Ventilation: Exploring HRVs & ERVs” (July 15, 2025) and consumer brochure (2026).
Government of Québec: Rénoclimat, old and new eligibility criteria table (in force October 1, 2026), read October 13, 2026.
Hydro-Québec: LogisVert participation guide, residential customers, version 1.10 of September 15, 2026.
Natural Resources Canada: ENERGY STAR specification for HRVs and ERVs (version 2.3) and certified product list, checked October 13, 2026.
Québec Construction Code, article 9.32.3.3 (Order 858-2012).
AirGreen: Lifebreath product sheets (HVI section III data or Lifebreath sheet) and Nos réalisations blog, as of October 13, 2026.

Price on quotation · free quotation

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