Every HRV should be cleaned at least once a year.  Open the door, clean the filters, check the intake screen for debris blocking the airflow, clean the core if necessary.  Some older models require the motors to be oiled.  The important thing is to keep it clean to get the maximum airflow through the HRV.  All models have a self check sequence at start up to see if they are operating properly.  Check your owner's manual for detailed information on how to run a self check.

To reset the filter maintenance light on the Altitude main control, press and hold the mode/preference and the set button at the same time for 5 seconds.  The orange light will blink a few times and then go out.  The reminder light is then reset.

The metal mesh filters inside the HRV are designed to be reused. 

Vacuum the debris, rinse the filters with warm water, let them dry and reinsert them into the proper locations inside the HRV.

The paper filters which go into the Air Filtation System must be replaced when dirty:

The 1" Prefilter in the filter rack should be replaced every 2 to 3 months.

The 2" Particle filter in the filter rack should be replaced every 6 months.

The 2" Carbon filter in the filter rack should be relaced every 6 months.

These are standard 16" x 20" x 1" filters which can be found in our office and at most harware stores.  The 16" x 20" x 2" filters can also be found in our office, at Grainger, Altrol, Inserco, Hasco, or ordered online.

The cost depends on the size of the house, the number of rooms, how many stories, how easy or difficult it is to run the ductwork, if there is a crawlspace or slab-on-grade, and whether it is new construction or a retrofit. 

Call 374-6838 to set up a free site visit and get a quote based on the specific needs of your house.

We offer our customers a complete Do It Yourself package.  

This includes providing a design and layout, all the necessary ductwork and hardware, the HRV unit and the Air Filtration System.  We deliver the entire package to your site, do an initial walk through to dicuss the installation plan, and to show you the needed tools to get the job done.

After you complete the installation, Richard will return to your site to inspect your work, balance your HRV and to go over the homeowner operation and maintenance of the unit. 

Upon request, he will also sign off the BEES / PUR 101 form.

When the Altitude main control is operating in "Smart Mode", the control is choosing the most efficient setting based on indoor temperature, indoor humidity level, and outdoor temperature.  The setting will change as indoor and outdoor conditions change.  When it is cold outside and dry in the house, it will often be in "OFF" or "Recirculate".  As the indoor humidity level rises, it will shift to "20 min" or "Min".  The control is automaticaly choosing the setting, and will ignore any user input.

 If you want something different, you have to take the Altitude out of "Smart Mode" and change it to "Vent".  When it is in "Vent", you can tell the HRV what setting you want it to run in.  Push the "Smart Mode" button to enter and exit smart mode.

The E1 error code means that there was an interuption in communication between the HRV and the controller.  The most common cause is a brief power outage, and we have a lot of them around here.  To reset the error code, unplug the HRV for 30 to 45 seconds.  Plugging it back in reboots the HRV and re-establishes the proper connection between the HRV and the controler.

The E3 Error code indicates a malfunction of the main control itself.  Replace the Altitude main control.

The E4 Error code indicates a malfunction of the defrost damper motor.  Replace the defrost damper motor assembly.

The outdoor air temperature sensor is inside of the HRV itself.  When the HRV is venting, the temperature should be fairly accurate.  If the intake duct is long, the air may be warming up some before entering the HRV.  A tandem Hood kit will also affect the incoming air temperature.  If the temperature is way off, the most likely cause is the HRV not going into a vent mode recently.  The quickest way to update the outdoor temperature is to turn the HRV to MAX Vent.  If the temperature still is way off, unplug the HRV for 30 to 45 seconds, and then plug it back in again.  That will reboot the system and should get the outdoor temperature back where it should be.

The 1.5 EKO can operate with or without a main control.  There is a push button on the bottom of the HRV next to where the low voltage wires connect to the HRV.  There is also a light next to the button.  If the light is amber or green, the HRV is set to run continuously on low speed or high speed.  If there is no light, then the Altitude main control is telling the HRV what setting to run on.  If the main control is unresponsive, check the light on the bottom of the unit.  If there is a light, push the button to change the setting to no light.  That will restore the connection between the HRV and the Altitude main control.

The HRV has had a communication disruption between the Exhaust motor and the circuit board.  The exhaust motor has shut down, and the HRV is in default mode.  There is most likely a blinking red light on the bottom of the HRV.  Reset the HRV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.  That should clear the problem.  If it does not fix the problem, then the exhaust motor may need to be replaced.  If resetting the HRV does not cure the problem, call us and we will come out and change out the motor for you.

You can check the current Humidity level at the main control by pressing and holding in the up arrow.  Hold it in for 10 to 15 seconds.  The current %RH should show on the display.  If there is --  (2 dashes) then the current %RH is less than 20%. 

If you have an older lifebreath with the Base Control Module, there is an upgrade kit available.  The kit comes with a new main control, a new circuit board, and a new transformer.  The upgrade kit will give you all of the functions of the newer HRV's, such as intermittant venting, recirculation, and the ability to turn it on and off from inside the house that you do not have now.  The upgrade kit does not work for really old units that have the rotary dial for the motor speed selection.

The first thing to try is unplugging the HRV for 30 seconds and then plugging it back in.  Run it for a few days and then see if that makes a difference.  If not, then bring your control in.  I have seen a handful of controls that seem to get stuck in min.  Changing out the control has fixed the problem.  At this point all altitude controls are still under warranty.  Bring in the serial number of your HRV as well, for warranty control purpouses.

Is it raining outside?  The HRV is bring air from outside into the house.  Any time the outside humidity level is higher than the inside level, the HRV will increase the %RH inside.  The HRV works best when the outside air is dryer than the air inside the house.

The HRV is pulling moist air from the kitchen and bathrooms.  If the incoming air from outside is warm, then the outgoing air will not cool off and condense.  Most of the water in the drain tubes shows up in the winter when the outgoing air condenses and then freezes in the core.  The HRV then goes through a defrost cycle, the ice melts and fills the drain tubes.  There is little to no condensation durring the summer.