Residential ventilation in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore
Your home holds in the heat. It also holds in humidity, CO₂ and odours.
A properly sized, properly balanced air exchanger replaces the air in the whole house while recovering heat from the air it exhausts. AirGreen installs, replaces, balances and services air exchangers (HRV and ERV), humidifiers and dehumidifiers across Greater Montréal.
Tick what you notice at home. The page ranks the solutions.
Nine signs our technicians see every week. Tick as many as you like: the ranking updates with every click.
What you notice
Tick at least one sign. The ranking shows up here.
A guide only. The final choice is made on site, after measuring airflow and humidity.
Every room plays a part in the air you breathe.
Steam starts in the bathroom, odours in the kitchen, CO₂ in the bedrooms. Tap a room and pick the season.
Your home
Where CO₂ builds up
What happens here
Two people, a closed door, eight hours: CO₂ climbs all night. Health Canada sets the limit at 1,000 ppm over 24 hours.
What ventilation does
A supply grille brings in fresh air warmed by the core, without a cold draft.
Signs to watch for
Stuffy air on waking, condensation on the bedroom window, morning headaches.
What we install
An HRV or ERV with a supply grille in each bedroom.
The biggest source of steam
What happens here
A hot shower fills the room with steam in minutes. With nowhere to go, it settles on cold walls and grout.
What ventilation does
An exhaust grille from the air exchanger, or a dedicated fan, sends that steam outside.
Signs to watch for
Mirror fogged for a long time, darkening grout, blistering ceiling paint.
What we install
An exhaust grille or a bathroom fan vented outside, on a timer.
Odours, steam and particles
What happens here
Cooking releases steam, odours and fine particles. Health Canada recommends a range hood vented outside.
What ventilation does
The hood catches grease and smoke at the source. The exchanger’s exhaust grille goes away from the stove.
Signs to watch for
Odours still there the next day, a greasy film on the ceiling, windows fogging while cooking.
What we install
A hood vented outside, plus an air exchanger exhaust grille in the kitchen area.
Where the air gets dry
What happens here
Heating dries the air in winter: static shocks, a dry throat, woodwork that shrinks.
What ventilation does
Fresh, tempered air arrives here. An ERV keeps part of the indoor moisture.
Signs to watch for
Small static shocks, plants drying out, gaps in wood floors.
What we install
An ERV, or a humidifier set according to the outdoor temperature.
The heart of the system
What happens here
The air exchanger, its two insulated ducts to the outside, its drain and its filters.
What ventilation does
The core transfers heat from the stale air to the fresh air. Defrost protects the core in extreme cold.
Signs to watch for
Unusual noise, frost, water on the floor, grey filters, a control that no longer responds.
What we install
Maintenance (filters about every three months) or replacement with a model whose efficiency is published.
Cold walls, humidity, radon
What happens here
Foundation walls are cold and ground moisture moves through the concrete. Radon also gets in through the basement.
What ventilation does
The exchanger helps remove moisture; Health Canada lists balanced ventilation among the ways to reduce radon.
Signs to watch for
Musty smell, white marks on the concrete, cardboard boxes going soft.
What we install
A dehumidifier, then a radon test. Above 200 Bq/m³, mitigation goes to a C-NRPP certified professional.
Fresh air intake and stale air exhaust
What happens here
Two hoods on the outside wall: one draws in fresh air, the other expels stale air, well apart from each other.
What ventilation does
If they are blocked, the exchanger runs for nothing.
Signs to watch for
Piled-up snow, leaves, a bird’s nest, a torn grille.
What we install
Placed above the snow line at installation; checked at every service.
Two airstreams that cross without mixing.
Air exchangers, whether heat recovery (HRV) or energy recovery (ERV), replace indoor air: they remove pollutants and excess moisture and bring in a steady supply of fresh air. They matter most in winter, when the house stays closed, and they recover heat from the air they exhaust.
HRV: the core transfers heat only. Indoor moisture leaves with the stale air, which dries out an overly humid home.ERV: the core also transfers part of the moisture. In winter the fresh air comes in less dry; in summer, less humid.
| Criterion | HRV | ERV |
|---|---|---|
| Recovers heat | Yes | Yes |
| Transfers some moisture | No | Yes |
| Best for | Homes with too much moisture: condensation, damp basement, busy household | Homes where the air gets dry in winter; also lets in less moisture in summer |
| Rénoclimat | $500 if HVI Section III certified | $500 if HVI Section III certified |
One unit, three ways of working through the year
The right air exchanger starts with the right airflow.
Three choices, and you see the airflow you need, the AirGreen models that cover your home, their efficiency at −25 °C and their real running cost. Figures come from our product pages (HVI directory or manufacturer).
Your home
A starting point. The final airflow is calculated room by room (CSA F326 standard) during the free estimate.
Have it calculated on siteWhat size of home each model covers
Range calculated at 0.35 air changes per hour for the chosen ceiling height, in sq ft.
The models that fit
Over 5,000 sq ft, or a specific type requested
None of the 15 calculator models covers this combination on its own. Large homes are often handled with a bigger unit or two units. The calculation is done on site.
See all air exchangersEfficiency at −25 °C by airflow
Dark circle: HRV · teal diamond: ERV. Ringed in green: models that cover your home. Tap a point for its name.
Comparison
Add or remove models with “Compare” on each card.
Most cost less per year than a 60 W bulb left on all the time.
Measured power × 8,760 hours × 11.142¢/kWh (Hydro-Québec Rate D, second tier, in effect since April 1, 2026). Models in the comparison are shown in colour.
Motor only, running continuously, before taxes. Heating the fresh air is not included: limiting that is the core’s job.
The colder it is outside, the less humidity your home can hold.
Set the outdoor temperature and the humidity shown on your thermostat or hygrometer. The chart places your home against the INSPQ and CMHC benchmarks.
Your conditions
Humidifiers
In winter, heating dries the air. A properly set humidifier improves breathing comfort and protects wood and furniture. The setting follows the outdoor temperature, keeping humidity on target without condensation.
Dehumidifiers
The other way around, a dehumidifier removes excess moisture to prevent mould, damage to the home’s materials and dust mites. It matters most in damp areas, starting with basements.
Advanced residential ventilation services in Greater Montréal
Proper ventilation matters for comfort, air quality and health in homes across Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore. Our work covers everything that touches the air in your home: air exchangers (HRV and ERV), humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and the equipment that heats and cools: ductless wall-mounted heat pumps, wall-mounted air conditioners, central heat pumps, central air conditioners, PTAC units and multi-zone heat pumps.
Air exchangers (ERV - HRV)
They replace indoor air: they remove pollutants and excess moisture and bring in a steady supply of fresh outdoor air. Especially useful in winter, when the house is closed up, they improve air quality while saving energy.
Humidifiers
In winter, heating dries the air. A well-controlled humidity level matters for breathing comfort and for preserving wood and furniture.
Dehumidifiers
They remove excess moisture to prevent mould, damage to the home and dust mites. Essential in damp areas, especially basements.
Ductless wall-mounted heat pumps and air conditioners
For room-by-room temperature control: cool in summer and, with a heat pump, gentle heat in winter. They filter the room’s air but do not bring in fresh air: they complement an air exchanger, they don’t replace it.
Central heat pumps and air conditioners
They heat or cool the whole house through the ducts and filter the air moving through them. An air exchanger can be tied into the same ductwork to distribute fresh air.
PTAC units and multi-zone heat pumps
They give room-by-room control of heating and cooling. Air quality still depends on fresh air coming in, which is the air exchanger’s job.
Who does what for the air in your home
Only air exchangers bring in outdoor air while recovering heat. The other units treat the air already inside the house.
| Unit | Brings in outdoor air | Recovers heat | Removes moisture | Adds moisture | Heats | Cools | Filters air |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRV air exchanger | Yes | Yes | Yes, in winter | No | No | No | Yes |
| ERV air exchanger | Yes | Yes | Partly | Keeps some | No | No | Yes |
| Humidifier | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Dehumidifier | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Depends on model |
| Wall-mounted or multi-zone heat pump | No | No | When cooling | No | Yes | Yes | Room air |
| Wall-mounted air conditioner | No | No | When cooling | No | No | Yes | Room air |
| Central heat pump | No | No | When cooling | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Central air conditioner | No | No | When cooling | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| PTAC unit | Depends on model | No | When cooling | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Three official numbers to know before you choose anything.
CO₂, 24-hour average
Health Canada uses it as a sign of adequate ventilation. A closed bedroom, two people, a whole night: that is where the number climbs.
Health Canada, Carbon dioxide in your home, 2021
Radon guideline
New windows and insulation can raise radon levels. Health Canada lists balanced heat recovery ventilation among the ways to reduce it. Testing comes first.
Health Canada, Radon and energy retrofits, updated September 14, 2026
Relative humidity
The usual target for comfort and against mould. In extreme cold, CMHC advises going down to about 30%, even 25%. Above 65%, the mould risk rises sharply.
INSPQ, relative humidity measurement sheet
$500 is possible, but not automatic. And for a new home, the Code sets a minimum.
Your Rénoclimat file in four answers
Is the chosen model certified in HVI Section III?
Will an EnerGuide evaluation be done after the work?
Is other efficiency work planned (insulation, windows, air sealing)?
Was your Rénoclimat file opened before October 1, 2026?
Rénoclimat offers $500 to install or replace an HRV or ERV certified in HVI Section III, if the EnerGuide rating improves. Since October 1, 2026, the pre-work evaluation is no longer mandatory (up to $500 to have it done). Have Rénoclimat confirm your file before the work.
A unit’s efficiency at −25 °C
Black line: the 54% threshold for Greater Montréal.
Quebec Construction Code, section 9.32: 54% below 6,000 degree-days (Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, both shores), 60% above. Every product page on airgreen.ca shows whether the model meets it.
Six checks. Tick what is done and the page works out what is next.
Last filter cleaning
Counted from today, on a three-month cycle.
Book a maintenance visitWhy choose AirGreen for your ventilation needs
Local expertise
Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore: we know our winters. The HRV-or-ERV choice is made for your home, and efficiency at −25 °C is published on every product page.
Advanced technology
High-efficiency motors: the GreenTek SOLACE 1.5H-EC draws 23 W for 172 cfm, versus 60 W for the SOLACE 1.5H at 150 cfm.
Tailored solutions
Every home is different. Airflow is calculated room by room (CSA F326) and the grilles go where moisture and odours start.
Environmental commitment
The calculator models recover 60 to 70% of the heat at −25 °C: fresh air comes in without throwing your heating outside.
Exceptional customer service
A refrigeration technician answers at 514 316‑2973. Final quote before the work, $5M liability insurance, RBQ licences in ventilation and electrical.
Five steps, and a final quote before the first hole.
On-site estimate
Free. We measure the home and check existing ducts and signs of moisture.
Airflow calculation
Room by room, to CSA F326. That calculation picks the model, HRV or ERV.
Final quote
Transparent price sent before the work. No surprises at the end.
Installation
Unit, insulated ducts, grilles, drain and electrical, by the same team.
Balancing
Fresh and stale airflows set, and the wall control explained before we leave.
The questions we get before every installation.
HRV or ERV: which one for Montréal?
Does a heat pump ventilate my home?
What size air exchanger does my home need?
What does “efficiency at −25 °C” mean?
Where do the air exchanger grilles go?
How often should the filters be cleaned?
My air exchanger is icing up. Is that normal?
Will Rénoclimat pay for my air exchanger?
Will it raise my electricity bill?
What humidity should I keep in winter?
Should I worry about radon?
Do you deal with mould?
Which air exchanger brands do you install?
We measure first. Then we recommend.
Choosing AirGreen means trusting your home’s air to a residential ventilation team that measures before it recommends, for clean, healthy, fresh air. Air exchanger, humidifier, dehumidifier or an integrated air conditioning solution: we meet your needs with expertise and professionalism. The on-site estimate is free.
Sources checked October 14, 2026. Health Canada, Carbon dioxide in your home (March 19, 2021) · Health Canada, Radon and energy retrofits (modified September 14, 2026) · INSPQ, fungal contamination investigation tool, relative humidity measurement sheet · Government of Quebec, Rénoclimat, mechanical systems grant and What’s new (updated October 13, 2026) · Quebec Construction Code, Chapter I, section 9.32 · CSA F326 standard · Hydro-Québec, Rate D, 11.142¢/kWh since April 1, 2026 · AirGreen product pages (HVI Section III directory, manufacturer sheets). Amounts shown are estimates; only the responsible agencies confirm the assistance granted.
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