HRV / ERV Whole-Home Ventilation Retrofit — Toronto GTA

Both transfer heat between exhaust and incoming fresh air, recovering 70–85% of energy. HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) transfers heat only — best for Toronto's cold dry winters where you want to keep indoor moisture low. ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) transfers heat AND humidity — best for tight new-construction homes, waterfront condos, or homes where winter humidity drops too low and summer humidity is high. Most Toronto retrofits favour HRV; tight new builds often choose ERV. Our certified HVAC partner makes the recommendation based on house tightness, occupant density, and humidity profile.

OBC 2024 (Tier 1, effective January 1, 2025) requires balanced mechanical ventilation in all new dwelling units — typically delivered as HRV or ERV sized per CSA F326. The mandate applies to new construction. Existing homes are not required to retrofit but increasingly must when air-sealing brings the building below approximately 1.5 ACH50 — the threshold where natural ventilation is insufficient and homes develop condensation and IAQ problems. MVDS (Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary) drawings are required at permit submission for new builds.

HRV/ERV unit with existing ductwork integration: $2,800–$4,500. Full retrofit with new dedicated ductwork (fresh-air supply trunk, exhaust pickups, condensate drain, electrical tie-in): $3,800–$7,500. Integration with new ducted HVAC during a heat-pump or furnace replacement: $2,500–$5,500 incremental. Premium controls package: +$250–$800. MERV 13 or HEPA upgrade: +$300–$900. Pricing varies by ducting complexity, unit size (typically 100–200 CFM continuous), and finish-work scope.

Common Toronto installs through our certified HVAC partners: Panasonic Intelli-Balance 100 and 200 (premium controls, quiet), Lifebreath RNC10 / RNC155 (Canadian-made, durable, mid-range), Venmar AVS HEPA (built-in HEPA filtration, premium), vanEE V100H (mid-range workhorse), Broan AI-Series (smart controls, mid-range), Fantech VHR. Selection depends on house size, ducting layout, and feature priorities (HEPA filtration, dehumidistat, CO2 sensor, smart thermostat integration). Our HVAC partner sizes the unit per CSA F326.

No. HRV/ERV installation requires CSA F326 commissioning expertise, ductwork modifications, electrical tie-in, condensate plumbing, and in heat-pump-integrated systems sometimes refrigerant work — all of which require HVAC mechanic certification. RenoHouse does NOT have a TSSA-licensed gas fitter, an HVAC mechanic, or CSA F326 commissioning equipment in-house. We coordinate certified HVAC installer partners (HRAI-member firms with CSA F326 trained technicians) for the regulated work. RenoHouse holds the contract, pulls building permits when required, and performs the construction-finish wrap (drywall, soffit boxing, paint, trim). The HVAC partner signs off on CSA F326 compliance and commissioning.

CSA F326 is the Canadian Standards Association standard for Residential Mechanical Ventilation Systems. It specifies how to size, install, and commission HRV/ERV systems: total continuous airflow = 0.30 L/s per square metre of floor area plus principal-room and intermittent rates, balanced exhaust-to-supply flow within ±10%, post-install airflow measurements with a flow hood, and homeowner training. OBC 2024 references CSA F326. Without CSA F326 commissioning, the system may move air but not deliver the indoor air quality benefit, and warranty claims and rebate close-outs may be denied.

Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary — a single-page or multi-page drawing submitted with building permits showing total ventilation rate by floor area and bedroom count, exhaust pickup locations (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, mechanical room), fresh-air supply distribution, balanced flow verification, and equipment specifications. MVDS is mandatory at permit submission for new builds under OBC 2024 and recommended for major retrofits. Our HVAC partner's CSA F326 designer prepares the MVDS; we manage the permit submission.

Site assessment 60–90 minutes. MVDS and equipment selection 1 week. Building permit (when required) 2–4 weeks. HVAC installer scheduling 2–4 weeks. Install 2–4 days for typical retrofit (longer for new ducting runs through finished spaces). Commissioning half-day. Construction wrap by RenoHouse (drywall, paint, trim around new soffits or duct boxing) 1–3 days. Total project clock 4–8 weeks from contract signing.

Often yes for retrofits that involve new ductwork through structural or fire-rated assemblies, condensate drain plumbing, or electrical tie-in beyond a simple receptacle. Simple HRV-into-existing-ducted-HVAC swaps sometimes do not require a permit. Toronto Building's plan reviewer makes the call. For multiplex and legal-basement-suite projects, the HRV/ERV is part of the building permit scope. We confirm permit requirements at the site assessment and pull the permit when required.

Yes when sized and commissioned correctly. Typical Toronto retrofit results: window condensation eliminated within 24–48 hours of commissioning, indoor humidity stabilized at 35–45% RH (winter), CO2 levels drop from 1,200–2,000 ppm (closed bedrooms overnight) to 600–800 ppm, VOC levels reduced 50–70% within two weeks. HEPA-filtered models (Venmar AVS HEPA) also reduce PM2.5 from forest-fire smoke days and pollen during allergy season. We can do a post-install IAQ comparison if requested.