Air Exchanger VENMAR AVS® N SERIES A160H65RT Greater Montreal
Is it the right size for your home?
It delivers 150 cfm net, enough to ventilate 1,700 to 2,800 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 150 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
$25.38
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 60% at 68 cfm.
Airflow and efficiency: manufacturer's data; airflow at 0.4 in and power draw from the V160H65RT spec sheet. Cost: 26 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.
35–159 cfmAirflow picked from 35 to 159 cfm, measured live
Airflow is selected on the unit's LCD screen. A built-in electronic device measures airflow in real time and Virtuo balances supply and exhaust automatically.
FurnaceSyncs with the furnace through the W and Y terminals
Adding the W and Y wires to the R and C connections tells the unit when the forced-air system is running. Virtuo then syncs ventilation with that run time, avoiding unnecessary furnace operation.
60%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.
−9 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 150 cfm. Most spec sheets show only the first number, precisely because it looks better.
26 WMeasured at the airflow it actually runs at
Its 68% at 0 °C is measured at 64 cfm, the continuous airflow of a typical home. At that setting it draws 26 W, or about 228 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 connection and a condensate drain. It weighs 35 lb, and it needs enough clearance to slide the core out once a year.
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.
- 150 cfm
- SRE at 0 °C (64 cfm)
- 68%
- SRE at −25 °C (68 cfm)
- 60%
- ASE at 0 °C
- 72%
- Power draw
- 26 W
- Efficacy
- 2.5 cfm/W
- Type
- HRV
- Connection
- Top ports
- Duct collars
- 6 in
- Condensate drain
- Required
- Defrost cycle
- Recirculation (motorized damper)
- Filters
- Washable MERV 8 filter and washable exhaust filter included (kit SV66133)
- Dimensions (L × D × H)
- 21 × 16.3 × 21.5 in
- Weight
- 35 lb
- Power supply
- 120 V
- Warranty — core
- Lifetime
- Warranty — motors
- 5 years
- Warranty — parts
- 5 years
Manufacturer's published data for this model; airflow at 0.4 in and power draw from the V160H65RT spec sheet, a model with identical published ratings. Annual consumption calculated at 26 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.
Unleashing Superior Air Quality with AirGreen: The Venmar AVS® N Series™ HRV 160 CFM 65% SRE with Virtuo Air Technology™ A160H65RT (Top Ports)
AirGreen, a trusted HVAC company based in Montreal, continues to deliver HVAC excellence in Greater Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore, and the North Shore. We specialize in providing HVAC sales and installation services aimed at creating comfortable, healthy living and working environments.
In our Air Exchanger section on our website, we feature a selection of state-of-the-art Venmar Air Exchangers. One of these notable products is the Venmar AVS® N Series™ HRV 160 CFM 65% SRE with Virtuo Air Technology™ A160H65RT (top ports). It represents the pinnacle of advancement in residential fresh air systems, offering a platform explicitly designed and improved for the ultimate convenience and profitability of HVAC contractors while consistently ensuring superior air quality.
Virtuo Air Technology™: A Leap in Airflow Calibration and Auto-balancing
The heart of our A160H65RT model is Virtuo Air Technology™. This cutting-edge technology allows for rapid and sustained airflow calibration and auto-balancing:
- Integrated LCD Screen: Choose the desired CFM (from 35 to 160 CFM) using the pioneering integrated LCD screen. Once the CFM is selected, the airflow automatically adjusts.
- Real-time LCD: Integrated electronic airflow measurement device enables immediate and accurate tracking.
- Diagnostic Tool: Integrated diagnostic tool ensures the unit is easy to maintain and troubleshoot.
Optimized Power Consumption
The A160H65RT model is equipped with PMSM ECM motors, drastically reducing power consumption while maintaining superior performance levels. The unit's electrical characteristics include 120 volts, 60 Hz, 2.4 A, and 163 W.
Versatile Installation Options
For your convenience, the unit offers multiple installation options: it can be either suspended (chains included) or wall-mounted using the included universal brackets (2 or 4 brackets).
Unit Features for Superior Air Quality
Our Venmar AVS® N Series™ HRV A160H65RT encapsulates a wealth of top-tier features that collectively enhance indoor air quality:
- Outstanding SRE Performance: Achieves an impressive SRE of 68% at 0°C (64 CFM) and 60% at -25°C (68 CFM), ensuring optimal energy conservation.
- Port Size: The unit features a port size of 6", compatible with standard installations.
- Recirculation Defrost: Promotes better usage of existing heat, thereby reducing energy costs.
- Durable Construction: The corrosion-resistant galvanized steel door and cabinet ensure the unit's longevity.
- Air Leakage Prevention: A one-piece molded insulation shell (expanded polystyrene; UL 94 HF-1 certified) prevents any air leakage.
Virtuo Constant Airflow and Auto-balancing Device
Our advanced unit incorporates a patent-pending Virtuo constant airflow and auto-balancing device. Coupled with motorized dampers, the unit guarantees balanced and efficient ventilation under all circumstances.
Simplified Maintenance
- Integrated Drainage System: The "snap-in" drain system is easy to install and requires no additional parts (drain hose included).
- Power Cord: The unit comes with a 6-foot power cord for your convenience.
Discreet Operation
Our unit maintains remarkably quiet operation, recording 66.8 dBA at 92 CFM @ 0.4 in. w.g. and 60.1 dBA at 64 CFM @ 0.2 in. w.g., ensuring your living environment remains serene.
High-Quality Core
The unit features a robust and shock-resistant polypropylene crossflow core, which measures 12" x 12" x 9" (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 23 cm), ensuring durability and high-level performance.
Effective Filtration
- Standard Filter: The unit comes with a washable MERV 8 grade standard filter, enabling excellent air filtration.
- Optional Filters: For further enhancement of air quality, a MERV13 grade filter (part no. V24285) and a HEPA media type filter (part no. V25000) are available as options.
Additional Options
- Register and Diffuser Options: We offer a full line of registers and diffusers for complete ventilation solutions.
- Compatibility: The unit is compatible with the Tandem transition (part no. 14690), recommended for installations producing up to 110 CFM.
Unique Defrost System
Our Homeshield™ Defrosting System ensures no negative pressure is created by air exhausted to the outdoors as the air is recirculated within the house, effectively preventing any backdraft.
Fan Curves with Virtuo
Thanks to Virtuo Air Technology™, manual unit balancing is a thing of the past. Both PMSM motors are controlled by an AI performing 120 readings per minute. The collected data is processed to maintain the requested airflow. Under typical installation, Virtuo will guarantee balanced ventilation at every selected speed, irrespective of the weather conditions, connection type, variable speed furnace/AHU, stack effect, or filter clogging. This results in peace of mind for installers and users knowing the unit will always remain balanced and maintain its maximum heat/energy recovery efficiency.
Compliance with Requirements and Standards
The Venmar AVS® N Series™ HRV 160 CFM 65% SRE with Virtuo Air Technology™ A160H65RT is CSA C22.2 No. 113 compliant (safety), could be installed in compliance with CSA F326, is performance tested in accordance with CSA C439 Standard, and meets Novoclimat requirements when used in conjunction with the wall control Advanced Touchscreen. Additionally, it complies with Prop 65 and the ROHS 2015/863 directive.
At AirGreen, we are committed to offering a broad range of HVAC products designed for our customers' comfort and well-being. Choose AirGreen for an unparalleled HVAC experience.