Direct Air HRV PHRVR 120HE Air Exchanger | Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore
Is it the right size for your home?
It delivers 110 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 110 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
$54.66
Electricity per year
Less than a 60 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 everywhere in the province. 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 64% at 72 cfm.
Airflow and efficiency at 0 °C and −25 °C: HVI directory, Section III. Cost: 56 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.
STS2.0Electronic balancing done with the STS2.0 control
Balancing is electronic: commissioning is done with the STS2.0 programmable touch-screen wall control, sold as an option, within a 40 to 140 cfm range. Plan for this control when ordering.
12 inCore slides out with just 12 in of clearance
The core, filters, fans and electronic panel are reached through the access panel, and the core slides out with 12 in free in front of the unit. Handy in a closet or a tight utility room.
64%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 72 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.
2505424Its 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.
−15 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 125 to 110 cfm. Most spec sheets show only the first number, precisely because it looks better.
56 WMeasured at the airflow it actually runs at
Its 80% at 0 °C is certified at 68 cfm, the continuous airflow of a typical home. At that setting it draws 56 W, or about 491 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 ducts, top connection. It weighs 41 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. 2505424. 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.
- 125 cfm
- Net airflow at 0.4 in. w.g.
- 110 cfm
- SRE at 0 °C (68 cfm)
- 80%
- SRE at −25 °C (72 cfm)
- 64%
- Power draw
- 56 W
- Efficacy
- 1.2 cfm/W
- Type
- HRV
- Connection
- Top ports
- Duct collars
- 5 in
- Defrost cycle
- Recirculation (motorized damper)
- Filters
- 2 washable electrostatic filters (7.87 × 9.84 in); optional MERV 8 pleated supply filter (428525)
- Dimensions (L × D × H)
- 23.25 × 11.5 × 24.25 in
- Weight
- 41 lb
- Power supply
- 120 V
- HVI certification (Section III)
- 2505424
- 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 2505424). Annual consumption calculated at 56 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 120HE – Residential Air Exchanger 112 CFM with Vertical Connection
At AirGreen, we know that good indoor comfort depends not only on heating or air conditioning. In a well-insulated home, indoor air quality becomes essential to breathe fresher, better-controlled air with less moisture, odors, or particles.
The DirectAir PHRVR 120HE is a VRC — heat recovery ventilator — designed to renew indoor air while recovering a significant portion of the heat contained in the exhausted air. With its flow rate of 112 CFM at 0.4”, its maximum sensible recovery efficiency of 81.0%, its vertical connection, and its recirculation defrost cycle, this model represents an effective solution for houses, condos, and apartments in Quebec.
DirectAir presents the PHRVR120-HE as an ideal device for condominiums, single-family homes, multifamily dwellings, and apartment building applications. The manufacturer also states that this model uses a counterflow heat recovery core, round metal connections, and high performance.
The DirectAir PHRVR 120HE is therefore an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a compact, efficient air exchanger adapted to Quebec’s climate realities.
In modern homes, insulation is often very effective. This is an advantage for reducing heat loss, but it can also limit natural air renewal. Without adequate ventilation, indoor air can become stagnant, too humid, or loaded with contaminants.
The VRC DirectAir PHRVR 120HE helps correct this situation by exhausting stale air outside while introducing fresh air into the home. Thanks to its recovery core, it allows recovering part of the heat from the outgoing air, which reduces energy losses during the cold season.
This principle is particularly important in Quebec, where winters can be long and cold. A simple fan exhausts indoor air without recovery. A VRC, however, allows for much smarter ventilation.
The PHRVR 120HE stands out for its balance between performance, compact size, and efficiency. Its flow rate of 112 CFM at 0.4” suits many residential applications where reliable ventilation is needed.
Here are the main technical specifications of the model:
Model: DirectAir PHRVR 120HE
Type of air exchanger: VRC
Energy Star: Yes
Voltage: 115 V
Dimensions: 23.25 × 11.50 × 24.25 in
Manufacturer’s warranty: 5-1-0
Defrost cycle: Recirculation
Maximum sensible recovery efficiency: 81.0%
Airflow: 112.0 CFM at 0.4”
Connection: Vertical
These data make the DirectAir PHRVR 120HE an interesting device for residences that need constant air renewal without choosing an unnecessarily oversized model.
With its maximum sensible recovery efficiency of 81.0%, the DirectAir PHRVR 120HE can recover a significant portion of the heat from exhausted air. This performance is a major advantage during winter, as it allows fresh air to be introduced without losing all the energy already used to heat the home.
DirectAir states that its VRCs are designed to bring fresh air inside and exhaust polluted air outside while helping to recover heat during cold seasons.
The recirculation defrost cycle is also an essential element for our climate. When the outdoor temperature drops, an air exchanger can be exposed to frost formation. Defrosting by recirculation protects the recovery core and maintains more stable operation.
According to the PHRVR120-HE technical sheet, the device integrates a defrost system with internal recirculation that helps avoid depressurization of the dwelling, with a sequence automatically activated according to operating conditions.
The vertical connection of the DirectAir PHRVR 120HE is practical in many mechanical rooms, basements, and technical spaces where ducts must exit from the top of the device. This configuration can simplify installation, especially when replacing an existing air exchanger or in a space where every inch counts.
Its 23.25 × 11.50 × 24.25 in size allows it to fit into many residential configurations. However, it remains important to provide sufficient clearance around the device to facilitate maintenance, access to filters, the core, and internal components.
The DirectAir PHRVR 120HE also includes practical features for installation and maintenance. Its technical sheet notably mentions an electronic balancing system, quiet and economical operation, balancing ports integrated into the access door, a quick wall mount included, a counterflow recovery core, and variable speed operation.
These elements are important because an air exchanger must not only perform well on paper. It must also be properly installed, well balanced, and easy to maintain over the years.
The device operates on a standard 115 V power supply, which suits typical residential installations. The manufacturer also indicates a 120V / 60Hz / 1 phase power supply on the model’s technical sheet.
The DirectAir PHRVR 120HE is also designed with washable filters. Regular filter maintenance is essential to maintain good airflow, protect internal components, and avoid performance loss. Dirty filters can reduce system efficiency, increase motor effort, and harm indoor comfort.
At AirGreen, we always recommend checking filters according to the actual use of the device, presence of pets, dust level in the home, and manufacturer’s recommendations.
The PHRVR 120HE can be a very good choice for homeowners who want to improve their home’s ventilation without installing an overly powerful device. Its flow rate of 112 CFM suits many residential needs, but proper sizing should always be confirmed based on area, number of occupants, duct configuration, and humidity level.
An air exchanger that is too small may be insufficient to remove moisture and stale air. Conversely, a device that is too large can be unnecessarily costly or poorly suited to the home. That is why on-site analysis remains an important step.
The advantages of the DirectAir PHRVR 120HE are numerous: Energy Star, maximum sensible recovery efficiency of 81.0%, flow rate of 112 CFM at 0.4”, recirculation defrost, vertical connection, compact size, counterflow core, round metal connections, electronic balancing system, and design tailored for Quebec homes.
For homes located in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore or South Shore, this type of device can contribute to better indoor comfort throughout the year. In winter, it helps limit heat loss. In all seasons, it promotes more controlled air renewal.
At AirGreen, we install ventilation, air conditioning, heating, and HVAC systems adapted to the real needs of residential and commercial buildings. Each project is evaluated according to the property’s configuration, accessibility, existing ducts, humidity level, budget, and comfort goals.
Professional installation is essential. Even an excellent air exchanger can lose much of its efficiency if it is poorly connected, poorly balanced, or installed without considering the home. That is why our team takes the time to assess technical constraints before recommending a model.
The DirectAir PHRVR 120HE represents a serious solution for homeowners who want to improve indoor air quality with an efficient, compact device well suited to Quebec’s climate. Thanks to its high performance, its recirculation defrost, and its vertical connection, it fits well into many residential installations.
In conclusion, the VRC DirectAir PHRVR 120HE is a high-performance residential air exchanger designed to ensure effective air renewal while recovering part of the heat from exhausted air. With its flow rate of 112 CFM, its maximum efficiency of 81.0%, its Energy Star certification, and its compact design, it is an excellent choice for many Quebec homes.
Contact AirGreen today to learn more about installing the DirectAir PHRVR 120HE and choose the best ventilation solution for your property.