LIFEBREATH 195 DCS Greater Montreal Air Exchanger
Is it the right size for your home?
It delivers 176 cfm net, enough to ventilate 2,100 to 3,300 sq ft. Choose your home's living area.
It's the right size.
For a 2,500 to 3,200 sq ft home, about 150 cfm of air needs to be renewed continuously. This unit delivers 176 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
$65.39
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 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 68% at 110 cfm.
Airflow and efficiency at 0 °C and −25 °C: HVI directory, Section III. Cost: 67 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.
2 coresDual core arranged for counter-current flow
Two cross-flow cores are arranged so the air passes through both in counter-current flow, which raises heat recovery. Both are easily removed for cleaning or service.
6 + 7 in7 in collars indoors, 6 in collars outdoors
The two outdoor connections are 6 in, but the two connections to the house are 7 in, so the installer has to plan matching ducts or reducers on the indoor side.
68%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 110 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.
2505093Its 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.
−34 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 210 to 176 cfm. Most spec sheets show only the first number, precisely because it looks better.
67 WMeasured at the airflow it actually runs at
Its 80% at 0 °C is certified at 64 cfm, the continuous airflow of a typical home. At that setting it draws 67 W, or about 587 kWh a year.
LifetimeThe core warranty
The core does the work and is the most expensive part to replace. Motors and parts: 5 years. We register the warranty in your name at commissioning.
6 inWhat it needs on site
6 in ducts, side connection and a condensate drain. It weighs 88 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. 2505093. 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.
- 210 cfm
- Net airflow at 0.4 in. w.g.
- 176 cfm
- SRE at 0 °C (64 cfm)
- 80%
- SRE at −25 °C (110 cfm)
- 68%
- ASE at 0 °C
- 91%
- Power draw
- 67 W
- Efficacy
- 1.0 cfm/W
- Type
- HRV
- Connection
- Side ports
- Duct collars
- 6 in
- Condensate drain
- Required
- Defrost cycle
- Recirculation (motorized damper)
- Filters
- 2 washable MERV 6 filters (exhaust and supply); MERV 13 upgrade (65-195-6R)
- Dimensions (L × D × H)
- 49 × 14.75 × 18.75 in
- Weight
- 88 lb
- Power supply
- 120 V
- HVI certification (Section III)
- 2505093
- Warranty — core
- Lifetime
- Warranty — motors
- 5 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 2505093). Annual consumption calculated at 67 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.
LIFEBREATH 195-DCS Air Exchanger: Enhancing Montreal Homes with Exceptional HVAC Solutions
Maintaining the highest quality of air inside your home can have a profound impact on your comfort, health, and overall wellbeing. In Montreal, a city known for its harsh winters and warm summers, having consistent optimal indoor air quality is a must throughout the year. It's here that the LIFEBREATH 195-DCS air exchanger stands out, offering unparalleled ventilation and superior performance through its state-of-the-art CVC technology.
LIFEBREATH 195-DCS: Reinventing Residential Ventilation
The LIFEBREATH 195-DCS air exchanger is engineered to revolutionize your indoor air experience. This innovative system combines an impressive range of features designed to enhance your home's air quality, optimize energy efficiency, and offer sophisticated control over your home's ventilation:
- Patented Thermally Conductive Aluminum Cores: These cores facilitate heat transfer between two airstreams, arranged for highly efficient counter-current airflow. These cores can be easily removed for cleaning or service.
- Motors and Blowers: With a common PSC motor driving independent centrifugal blowers for each airstream, the 195-DCS allows for multi-speed fan operations.
- Filters: This model comes with washable MERV-6 air filters in the exhaust and supply airstreams, ensuring that your indoor air remains pure and clean. An upgrade to MERV-13 is also available for superior filtration.
- Mounting: The corners of the cabinet are designed with threaded inserts that can accommodate the "S" hooks and hanging straps provided with the unit, making the installation process convenient and straightforward.
Moreover, the LIFEBREATH 195-DCS air exchanger comes with several distinguishing features:
- Defrost System: This system includes a damper defrost system, a crucial feature for efficient operation in colder climates.
- Case: Constructed from 20 gauge pre-painted galvanized steel, the case offers superior corrosion resistance and is insulated to prevent exterior condensation. Balancing ports are conveniently located on the unit.
- Drain Connection: The system includes two 1/2 inch (12 mm) outer diameter drain connections.
- Electronics: The unit comes with the DXPL02 control, which can be wall-mounted at a central location within the home for convenient access and control.
This air exchanger also comes with additional performance metrics and specifications that make it an attractive option for homeowners:
- Energy Efficiency: The 195-DCS exhibits impressive energy efficiency with a Sensible Effectiveness (ASE) of 92% @ 73 CFM (35 L/s) 32°F (0°C) and Sensible Efficiency (SRE) of 81% @ 64 CFM (30 L/s) 32°F (0°C).
- Weight and Dimensions: The unit has a weight of 88 lbs (40 kg) and a shipping weight of 92 lbs (41.8 kg), making it compact and manageable for installation.
- Electric Specifications: Operating at 120 VAC @ 60Hz, the 195-DCS consumes 74 Watts at low speed and 123 Watts at high speed. Its amp rating stands at 1.5.
- Performance: The performance of the 195-DCS is HVI certified, offering reliable operation and trustworthy results.
Customize Your LIFEBREATH 195-DCS with Optional Accessories
To further enhance the functionality of your LIFEBREATH 195-DCS air exchanger, a range of optional accessories are available:
- Dual Hood (99-190, 99-194)
- Terminator Fitting (99-TM4, 99-TM5, 99-TM6)
- Weather Hood (99-185, 99-186, 99-187)
- TechGrille (99-EAG4, 99-EAG5, 99-EAG6, 99-EAG8)
These add-ons offer additional customization and can be installed depending on your unique needs and preferences.
The Assurance of Quality: LIFEBREATH's Warranties and Standards
For peace of mind, the LIFEBREATH 195-DCS air exchanger comes with a lifetime warranty on the HRV core and a 5-year replacement parts warranty. All units conform to CSA and UL standards, underscoring LIFEBREATH's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Expert Installation Services in Montreal
Entrust your LIFEBREATH 195-DCS air exchanger installation to professional and certified HVAC experts in Montreal. These professionals ensure that your air exchanger is correctly installed, operates at optimal efficiency, and delivers the promise of improved indoor air quality.
Conclusion
In the quest for clean, fresh, and healthy indoor air in Montreal, the LIFEBREATH 195-DCS air exchanger is a trusted ally. Its innovative features, energy efficiency, ease of installation, and the security of warranties make it a preferred choice for homeowners seeking an effective CVC solution. Contact your local HVAC professionals today and experience the difference LIFEBREATH can make in your home.