LIFEBREATH RNC155 Greater Montreal Air Exchanger
Is it the right size for your home?
It delivers 138 cfm net, enough to ventilate 1,600 to 2,600 sq ft. Choose your home's living area.
It's the right size.
For a 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft home, about 105 cfm of air needs to be renewed continuously. This unit delivers 138 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
$70.27
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 70% at 68 cfm.
Airflow and efficiency at 0 °C and −25 °C: HVI directory, Section III. Cost: 72 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.
2019The “2019” refers to ENERGY STAR certification
Lifebreath lists this model as the RNC 155 2019: the year refers to its ENERGY STAR certification (valid in Canada), not to the unit's manufacture date.
HEXPatented counter-flow hex core
Lifebreath's patented HEX core transfers heat between the two airstreams, which flow through it in counter-flow. It is easily removed for cleaning or service.
70%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 68 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.
2505086Its 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.
−21 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 159 to 138 cfm. Most spec sheets show only the first number, precisely because it looks better.
72 WMeasured at the airflow it actually runs at
Its 75% at 0 °C is certified at 64 cfm, the continuous airflow of a typical home. At that setting it draws 72 W, or about 631 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, top and side connection and a condensate drain. It weighs 71 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. 2505086. 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.
- 159 cfm
- Net airflow at 0.4 in. w.g.
- 138 cfm
- SRE at 0 °C (64 cfm)
- 75%
- SRE at −25 °C (68 cfm)
- 70%
- Power draw
- 72 W
- Efficacy
- 0.9 cfm/W
- Type
- HRV
- Connection
- Top and 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)
- 33.63 × 14.75 × 18.68 in
- Weight
- 71 lb
- Power supply
- 120 V
- HVI certification (Section III)
- 2505086
- 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 2505086). Annual consumption calculated at 72 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.
Transform your home with the LIFEBREATH RNC155 Air Exchanger
At AirGreen, we are committed to improving the quality of life of our customers. With this in mind, we present to you the LIFEBREATH RNC155, an exceptional air exchanger designed to improve indoor air quality and optimize energy efficiency. Thanks to its cutting-edge technology, this air exchanger has the potential to transform your living space in Montreal and the surrounding area.
Exceptional Innovation and Performance
The LIFEBREATH RNC Series is a representation of innovation in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and the RNC155 model is no exception. It stands out with several notable features:
- Heat Recovery Core: The patented aluminum heat recovery core offers a heat recovery efficiency of 75%, while having a moisture transfer rate of 0%. This aluminum core ensures optimal performance even at low temperatures.
- Door Port Balancing & Adjustable Dampers: The RNC155 is equipped with door port balancing and adjustable dampers for precise air flow control.
- Energy Efficiency: This model is ENERGY STAR® certified, meaning it meets the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by Natural Resources Canada and the US EPA. It meets ENERGY STAR® requirements only when used in Canada.
- Filters: The device includes two washable foam filters, ensuring superior indoor air quality.
- Defrosting: A Damper Defrost / Recirculating system prevents frost from forming in your device, even during the coldest winter months in Montreal.
- Installation: The LIFEBREATH RNC155 offers installation flexibility with vertical and horizontal air ports, making it adaptable to various home configurations.
- Motor: The device is equipped with a PSC (Permanent Split Capacitor) motor, known for its durability and efficiency.
- Dimensions and Weight: With a height of 19 inches, a width of 34 inches, a depth of 15 inches, and a weight of 71 pounds, the RNC155 is designed to easily fit into your living space.
Hassle-free Installation in Montreal
At AirGreen, we take pride in providing exceptional installation services for the LIFEBREATH RNC155 in Montreal and its surroundings. Our qualified technicians have the expertise to perform a precise and efficient installation of your new air exchanger. No matter the complexity of the installation, our team is there to assist you every step of the way.
Solid Warranty for Peace of Mind
Investing in a quality air exchanger is also having a guarantee of its durability. The LIFEBREATH RNC155 is covered by a lifetime warranty on the heat recovery core and a 5-year replacement parts warranty. At AirGreen, we give you the peace of mind you deserve.
The installation of a LIFEBREATH RNC155 air exchanger can truly transform your home. If you are ready to take the step towards better living comfort in Montreal, contact us today to learn more about this exceptional product.