Direct Air HRV PHRVR 104 Air Exchanger | Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore
Is it the right size for your home?
It delivers 106 cfm net, enough to ventilate 1,200 to 2,000 sq ft. Choose your home's living area.
It's the right size.
For a 900 to 1,500 sq ft home, about 63 cfm of air needs to be renewed continuously. This unit delivers 106 cfm net — enough for the house, with extra capacity to boost ventilation for the bathroom and kitchen.
Calculation: 0.35 air changes per hour over the living volume, with 9 ft ceilings. Our estimator sets the exact airflow room by room, following CSA F326.
What it does, in numbers
$58.56
Electricity per year
Less than a 100 W light bulb
Bulbs left on day and night. Same calculation for every line: wattage × 8,760 h × 11.142 ¢/kWh.
Meets the Québec Construction Code for Greater Montréal. The Code requires 54% at −25 °C below 6,000 degree-days (Montréal, Laval, Longueuil and both shores) and 60% above that. This unit is rated at 57% at 51 cfm.
Airflow and efficiency at 0 °C and −25 °C: HVI directory, Section III. Cost: 60 W over 8,760 h at Hydro-Québec's Rate D second tier (11.142 ¢/kWh).
What you should know about this one
Published, verifiable facts, not brochure claims.
TurboManual turbo boost for bathroom and kitchen exhaust
A manually activated extra-high speed temporarily raises exhaust capacity, for example when bathrooms or the kitchen are exhausted through the HRV instead of separate fans.
5 minInternal parts come out in under 5 minutes
The core, filters, motors and circuit board are easy to reach and can be fully removed in under 5 minutes for service. Leave 12 in of clearance in front of the unit.
57%What it still recovers at −25 °C
The only efficiency figure that matters for a Québec winter, and the one the Code uses. An efficiency quoted without its temperature means nothing; this one is measured at a test airflow of 51 cfm.
DamperIt defrosts without depressurizing the house
In cold weather, a motorized damper closes the outdoor air intake and recirculates indoor air through the core to thaw it. The house doesn't go into negative pressure during the cycle: no cold air drawn in through leaks, and none of the imbalance manufacturers warn about when there's a fireplace or a combustion appliance.
HRVIt recovers heat, not moisture
Excess moisture leaves the house. In Québec, that's the right choice in most cases: in winter, the problem is almost always too much humidity, not too little.
2505409Its HVI certification number
Listed in Section III of the Home Ventilating Institute's certified products directory. Anyone can check it, and it's the first condition for the Rénoclimat grant.
−17 cfmWhat the ducts cost it
Between a nearly unrestricted test bench (0.2 in) and a real duct system (0.4 in), it drops from 123 to 106 cfm. Most spec sheets show only the first number, precisely because it looks better.
60 WMeasured at the airflow it actually runs at
Its 61% at 0 °C is certified at 49 cfm, the continuous airflow of a typical home. At that setting it draws 60 W, or about 526 kWh a year.
LifetimeThe core warranty
The core does the work and is the most expensive part to replace. Motors: 7 years. Parts: 5 years. We register the warranty in your name at commissioning.
5 inWhat it needs on site
5 in (oval) ducts, top connection and a condensate drain. It weighs 43 lb, and it needs enough clearance to slide the core out once a year.
Rénoclimat: $500 to install or replace an HRV or ERV
First condition met: HVI Section III certified, No. 2505409. Second: your EnerGuide rating must improve between the two evaluations. Québec warns that an air exchanger installed on its own can increase a home's energy use; that's why we balance it to the calculated airflow rather than running it at full speed.
What it needs on site
In a condo with no floor drain, or with little ceiling clearance, we usually look at a side-port model instead. Our estimator checks the location, the drain and the duct route before ordering.
Complete spec sheetData and cited sources
- Net airflow at 0.2 in. w.g.
- 123 cfm
- Net airflow at 0.4 in. w.g.
- 106 cfm
- SRE at 0 °C (49 cfm)
- 61%
- SRE at −25 °C (51 cfm)
- 57%
- Power draw
- 60 W
- Efficacy
- 0.8 cfm/W
- Type
- HRV
- Connection
- Top ports
- Duct collars
- 5 in (oval)
- Condensate drain
- Required
- Defrost cycle
- Recirculation (motorized damper)
- Filters
- 2 washable electrostatic filters (8.5 × 12.5 in)
- Dimensions (L × D × H)
- 21.5 × 14.5 × 17.9 in
- Weight
- 43 lb
- Power supply
- 120 V
- HVI certification (Section III)
- 2505409
- Warranty — core
- Lifetime
- Warranty — motors
- 7 years
- Warranty — parts
- 5 years
Net airflow, efficiency at 0 °C and −25 °C, and power draw: Home Ventilating Institute certified products directory, Section III (HVID 2505409). Annual consumption calculated at 60 W running continuously for 8,760 h, at Hydro-Québec's Rate D second tier (11.142 ¢/kWh), in effect since April 1, 2026.
The next model down and up
Talk to an HVAC technician before you choose
We calculate the airflow room by room, check the location and the drain, and give you an installed price. Balancing is measured at commissioning, not estimated.
VRC DirectAir PHRVR 104 – Residential Air Exchanger 104 CFM with Vertical Connection
At AirGreen, we know that a comfortable home depends not only on heating or air conditioning. Indoor air quality plays a crucial role in daily well-being, especially in modern well-insulated homes where air can quickly become stagnant, humid, or filled with odors.
The DirectAir PHRVR 104 is a VRC — heat recovery ventilator — designed to ensure constant air renewal while recovering some of the heat contained in the exhausted air. With its 104 CFM / CFM airflow at 0.4”, vertical connection, recirculation defrost cycle, and compact design, this model represents a practical solution to improve ventilation in houses, condos, and apartments in Greater Montreal.
The DirectAir PHRVR 104 is particularly suitable for residential spaces where a compact, efficient, and easy-to-integrate device is desired in a mechanical room, utility closet, basement, or confined space. Its top-port design facilitates vertical duct connection, which can be very useful when replacing an existing air exchanger or in new installations where available space is limited.
In Quebec, homes are often very well insulated to retain heat during winter. This insulation improves energy efficiency but can also reduce natural air renewal. Without adequate ventilation, humidity, odors, CO₂, and stale air can remain trapped inside.
The VRC DirectAir PHRVR 104 helps address this issue by exhausting stale indoor air and bringing in fresh air from outside. At the same time, it recovers some of the heat from the outgoing air to limit energy loss. This is what distinguishes a VRC from simple mechanical ventilation: it not only expels air but also conserves part of the energy already used to heat the home.
The PHRVR 104 is a relevant choice for homeowners who want reliable ventilation without installing an unnecessarily oversized device. Its 104 CFM airflow suits many residential applications, including small buildings, condos, apartments, and certain houses where ventilation needs are well calculated.
Main Technical Features
Model: DirectAir PHRVR 104
Type of air exchanger: VRC
Energy Star: No
Voltage: 115 V
Dimensions: 21.50 × 14.50 × 17.90 in
Manufacturer’s warranty: 5-1-0
Defrost cycle: Recirculation
Maximum sensible recovery efficiency: 60.0%
Airflow: 104.0 CFM at 0.4”
Connection: Vertical
These features make the DirectAir PHRVR 104 a compact, easy-to-integrate air exchanger well suited to residential ventilation needs when the goal is to improve indoor air quality without choosing an overly large device.
With its 104 CFM airflow at 0.4”, the DirectAir PHRVR 104 offers an interesting ventilation capacity for various types of dwellings. This airflow allows controlled indoor air renewal, provided the device is properly sized and correctly installed.
Too low a flow rate may be insufficient to remove humidity and stale air. Conversely, an overly powerful device can create an unnecessarily complex or poorly adapted installation. That is why choosing a VRC must always consider the area, number of occupants, insulation, duct configuration, and actual needs of the home.
The maximum sensible recovery efficiency of 60.0% allows the PHRVR 104 to recover some of the heat contained in the exhausted air. During winter, this recovery helps reduce heat loss when fresh air enters the home. The result is smarter ventilation than simple air extraction.
Although this model is not Energy Star certified according to the provided data, it remains a useful solution for projects where compact size, vertical connection, and controlled ventilation are priorities.
The recirculation defrost is an important advantage in our climate. When outdoor temperatures are very low, an air exchanger can be exposed to frost formation. The recirculation system helps protect the recovery core and maintain more stable operation during the cold season.
This function is especially important for homes in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, where winters can be harsh. A good defrost cycle contributes to the device’s durability and continuous ventilation.
The vertical connection of the DirectAir PHRVR 104 is also a practical feature. The ducts exit from the top of the device, facilitating installation in many confined mechanical spaces. This configuration can be advantageous in a closet, near a water heater, in a basement, or in a technical area where wall and side space is limited.
Its 21.50 × 14.50 × 17.90 in size allows easier integration into various residential environments. However, it is important to provide sufficient access for maintenance, filter cleaning, core inspection, and periodic checks.
The DirectAir PHRVR 104 is designed for practical installation. Its compact design, wall mount, and suitable connections facilitate device integration in many configurations. This can simplify work when replacing an old air exchanger or during a new installation.
The device is also designed for flexible use. Its manually activated high-speed function allows temporarily increasing extraction capacity when needed. This can be useful when humidity or odors rise quickly, for example after using a bathroom, kitchen, or heavily occupied space.
Another important advantage is its aluminum recovery core. This type of core is used to transfer heat from outgoing air to incoming air while keeping the two air streams separate. This allows fresh air to enter without directly mixing stale air with new air.
As with any air exchanger, regular maintenance remains essential. Filters must be checked and cleaned according to device use, dust levels in the home, presence of pets, and manufacturer recommendations. Dirty filters can reduce airflow, increase motor effort, and decrease overall system performance.
At AirGreen, we always emphasize the importance of well-planned installation. A high-performance air exchanger can lose much of its efficiency if poorly connected, unbalanced, or installed in a hard-to-access location. Proper operation depends as much on the device as on installation quality.
Before recommending a model like the DirectAir PHRVR 104, our team evaluates the home’s layout, existing ducts, accessibility, humidity level, area, number of occupants, and owner’s goals. This approach allows proposing a tailored solution rather than a generic choice.
The main advantages of the DirectAir PHRVR 104 are clear: compact size, 104 CFM airflow, vertical connection, recirculation defrost, aluminum recovery core, manually activated high-speed function, design adapted to confined spaces, and standard residential 115 V voltage.
This model can suit many residential projects where improving indoor air quality is desired without installing an overly large device. It can be especially useful in condos, apartments, small houses, and multifamily buildings where technical space is limited.
For homeowners, a good VRC can help reduce stagnant air, better manage humidity, remove odors, and bring in fresh air more controllably. In a well-insulated home, this ventilation often becomes essential to maintain a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment.
At AirGreen, we install ventilation, air conditioning, heating, and HVAC solutions throughout Greater Montreal. Our team understands the realities of Quebec buildings: confined mechanical spaces, existing ducts, finished basements, old air exchangers to replace, difficult access, and variable ventilation needs depending on each property.
We serve notably Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Boucherville, Brossard, Saint-Bruno, Terrebonne, Repentigny, Saint-Eustache, the North Shore, and the South Shore. Our goal is to provide a clean, durable installation adapted to each building’s reality.
The DirectAir PHRVR 104 thus represents a serious option for homeowners seeking a compact, reliable air exchanger well suited to residential ventilation needs. Thanks to its 104 CFM airflow, recirculation defrost, and vertical connection, it meets the needs of many installations where space and ease of integration are important criteria.
In conclusion, the VRC DirectAir PHRVR 104 is a compact, practical residential air exchanger designed to improve indoor air renewal. With its 104 CFM airflow, maximum sensible recovery efficiency of 60.0%, vertical connection, and recirculation defrost cycle, it is an interesting solution for many houses, condos, and apartments in Quebec.
Contact AirGreen today to learn more about installing the DirectAir PHRVR 104 and discover the best ventilation solution for your property.