Lifebreath 1000RHCAC, 1200DDPOOL Troubleshooting Your HRV System, Symptom Cause Solution

Troubleshooting Your HRV System

SYMPTOM	CAUSE	SOLUTION
Poor Air Flows	• 1/4” (6 mm) mesh on the outside hoods is plugged	• clean exterior hoods or vents
	• filters plugged	• remove and clean filter
	• core obstructed	• remove and clean core
	• house grilles closed or blocked	• check and open grilles
	• dampers are closed if installed	• open and adjust dampers
	• poor power supply at site	• have electrician check supply voltage at house
	• ductwork is restricting HRV	• check duct installation
	• improper speed control setting	• increase the speed of the HRV
	• HRV airflow improperly balanced	• have contractor balance HRV
Supply air feels cold	• poor location of supply grilles, the airflow may irritate	• locate the grilles high on the walls or under the baseboards,
	the occupant	install ceiling mounted diffuser or grilles so as not to directly
		spill the supply air on the occupant (eg. over a sofa)
	• outdoor temperature extremely cold	• turn down the HRV supply speed. A small duct heater
		(1kw) could be used to temper the supply air
		• placement of furniture or closed doors is restricting the
		movement of air in the home
		• if supply air is ducted into furnace return, the furnace fan
		may need to run continuously to distribute ventilation
		air comfortably
Dehumidistat is not Operating	• improper low voltage connection	• check that the correct terminals have been used
	• external low voltage is shortened out by a staple or nail	• check external wiring for a short
	• check dehumidistat setting it may be on OFF	• set the dehumidistat at the desired setting
Humidity Levels are too High	• dehumidistat is set too high	• set dehumidistat lower
Condensation is appearing on the windows	• HRV is undersized to handle a hot tub, indoor pool, etc.	• cover pools, hot tubs when they are not in use
	• lifestyle of the occupants	• avoid hanging clothes to dry, storing wood and venting clothes
		dryer inside. Heating wood may have to be moved outside
	• moisture coming into the home from an unvented or	• vent crawl space and place a vapour barrier on the floor
	unheated crawl space	of the crawl space
	• moisture is remaining in the washroom and kitchen areas	• ducts from the washroom should be sized to remove moist
		air as effectively as possible, use of a bathroom fan for
		short periods will remove additional moisture
	• condensation seems to form in the spring and fall	• on humid days, as the seasons change, some condensation
		may appear but the homes air quality will remain high with
		some HRV use
	• HRV is set at too low a speed	• increase speed of the HRV
Humidity Levels are too Low	• dehumidistat control set too low	• set dehumidistat higher
	• blower speed of HRV is too high	• decrease HRV blower speed
	• lifestyle of occupants	• humidity may have to be added through the use of humidifiers
	• HRV air flows may be improperly balanced	• have a contractor balance HRV airflows
HRV and / or Ducts Frosting up		• Note: minimal frost build-up is expected on cores before
		unit initiates defrost cycle functions
	• HRV air flows are improperly balanced	• have HVAC contractor balance the HRV
	• malfunction of the HRV defrost system	• using the self-test feature at the Base Module, press the fan
		control symbol, the damper defrost unit should cycle its full
		travel when working properly.
Condensation or Ice Build Up in Insulated Duct to	• incomplete vapour barrier around insulated duct	• tape and seal all joints
the Outside	• a hole or tear in outer duct covering	• tape any holes or tears made in the outer duct covering
		• ensure that the vapour barrier is completely sealed
Water in the bottom of the HRV	• drain pans plugged	• ensure O-Ring on drain nozzle sits properly
	• improper connection of HRVs drain lines	• look for kinks in line
	• HRV is not level	• check water drain connections
	• drain lines are obstructed	• make sure water drains properly from pan
	• HRV heat exchange core is not properly installed

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