Is HRV really worth it over a basic bathroom fan?

I put a $1500 HRV system into my Calgary bungalow last fall and honestly I'm not sure it's doing much more than the old $200 Panasonic fan I had before. My humidity levels sit around 45% either way and the electric bill went up a bit. Anyone else find HRVs overhyped for Alberta's dry climate or am I missing a setting somewhere?

2 comments

2 Comments

iris39417d agoTop Commenter

Installed a similar system in my place a couple years back and honestly spent the first month convinced it was just making a weird humming noise for no reason. Called the installer who said "it's supposed to do that" and then basically shrugged at me over the phone. Ngl I ended up cracking a window while watching TV last winter and the humidity actually went down faster than letting the HRV run all night. Made me wonder if these things are just expensive white noise machines for people who feel guilty about leaving the fan off. Feels like in Alberta you're better off just opening the bathroom door after a shower and letting the house's own dry air sort things out.

troy_ross17d ago

Wait, did you actually measure the humidity levels or just go by feel? Because I've seen a few houses where the HRV is basically useless cause the ductwork was installed like garbage. Did the installer ever explain what the balance settings were supposed to be or just give you the shoulder shrug special?