LIFEBREATH RNC205 Air Exchanger Greater Montreal
Is it the right size for your home?
It delivers 170 cfm net, enough to ventilate 2,000 to 3,200 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 170 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
$56.61
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 69% at 70 cfm.
Airflow and efficiency at 0 °C and −25 °C: HVI directory, Section III. Cost: 58 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.
95 cfmStill 79% efficient at 95 cfm
HVI tested it at three airflows at 0 °C: 83% at 49 cfm, 82% at 64 cfm and still 79% at 95 cfm. Efficiency stays high when ventilation is turned up, for example in a larger or busier home.
DampersBalancing dampers on every collar
Each 6 in oval collar has its own balancing damper and the measuring ports are on the door, so the installer can set supply and exhaust airflow right at the unit.
69%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 70 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.
2505464Its 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 191 to 170 cfm. Most spec sheets show only the first number, precisely because it looks better.
58 WMeasured at the airflow it actually runs at
Its 83% at 0 °C is certified at 49 cfm, the continuous airflow of a typical home. At that setting it draws 58 W, or about 508 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 (oval) ducts, top connection and a condensate drain. It weighs 57 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. 2505464. 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.
- 191 cfm
- Net airflow at 0.4 in. w.g.
- 170 cfm
- SRE at 0 °C (49 cfm)
- 83%
- SRE at −25 °C (70 cfm)
- 69%
- ASE at 0 °C
- 97%
- Power draw
- 58 W
- Efficacy
- 0.8 cfm/W
- Type
- HRV
- Connection
- Top ports
- Duct collars
- 6 in (oval)
- 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 × 15 × 18.75 in
- Weight
- 57 lb
- Power supply
- 120 V
- HVI certification (Section III)
- 2505464
- 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 2505464). Annual consumption calculated at 58 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 RNC205 Air Exchanger
At AirGreen, we're dedicated to enhancing our customers' quality of life. With this vision, we present the LIFEBREATH RNC205, an outstanding 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 beyond.
Exceptional Performance and Innovation
The LIFEBREATH RNC series is a representation of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) innovation, and the RNC205 model is no exception. It stands out with several notable features:
- Heat Recovery Core: The patented aluminum heat recovery core provides a heat recovery efficiency of 71%, while having a moisture transfer rate of 0%. This aluminum core assures optimal performance even at low temperatures.
- Pressure Door Port Balancing and Adjustable Dampers: The RNC205 is equipped with pressure 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 U.S. EPA. It meets ENERGY STAR® requirements only when used in Canada.
- Filters: The unit includes two washable foam filters, ensuring superior indoor air quality.
- Defrost: A recirculating damper defrost system prevents frost build-up in your unit, even during the coldest winter months in Montreal.
- Installation: The LIFEBREATH RNC205 offers installation flexibility with vertical air ports, making it adaptable to various house configurations.
- Motor: The unit is equipped with a Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) motor, known for its durability and efficiency.
- Dimensions and Weight: With a height of 19 inches, width of 34 inches, depth of 15 inches, and weight of 57 pounds, the RNC205 is designed to easily fit your living space.
Hassle-Free Installation in Montreal
At AirGreen, we take pride in providing exceptional installation services for the LIFEBREATH RNC205 in Montreal and the surrounding areas. Our skilled technicians have the expertise to perform 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
We understand the importance of peace of mind for our customers. Therefore, the LIFEBREATH RNC205 comes with a lifetime limited warranty on the air exchanger core and a 5-year replacement parts warranty. You can rest assured that your investment is protected.
A Top Choice for a Healthier Home
Indoor air quality is crucial for the health and well-being of everyone. With the LIFEBREATH RNC205, you can enhance the air quality in your home while saving energy. It's no wonder this air exchanger is a popular choice among homeowners in Montreal and throughout the region. Take the step towards a healthier and more comfortable home with the LIFEBREATH RNC205.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule an installation in Montreal and the surrounding areas. AirGreen, your trusted partner in HVAC.