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/ERV

check duct installation

 

• improper speed control setting

• increase the speed of the HRV/ERV

 

• HRV/ERV airflow improperly balanced

• have contractor balance HRV/ERV

 

 

 

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/ERV 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/ERV 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/ERV use

 

• HRV/ERV is set at too low a speed

• increase speed of the HRV/ERV

 

 

 

Humidity Levels are too Low

• dehumidistat control set too low

• set dehumidistat higher

 

• blower speed of HRV/ERV is too high

• decrease HRV/ERV blower speed

 

• lifestyle of occupants

• humidity may have to be added through the use of humidifiers

 

• HRV/ERV air flows may be improperly balanced

• have a contractor balance HRV/ERV airflows

 

 

 

HRV/ERV and / or Ducts Frosting up

 

• Note: minimal frost build-up is expected on cores before

 

 

unit initiates defrost cycle functions

 

• HRV/ERV air flows are improperly balanced

• have HVAC contractor balance the HRV/ERV

 

• malfunction of the HRV/ERV 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/ERV

• drain pans plugged

• ensure O-Ring on drain nozzle sits properly

 

• improper connection of HRV/ERVs drain lines

• look for kinks in line

 

• HRV/ERV is not level

• check water drain connections

 

• drain lines are obstructed

• make sure water drains properly from pan

 

• HRV/ERV heat exchange core is not properly installed

 

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