What are your recommendations for an HRV system for a Tiny Home less than 500sq feet in Northern Ontario?
Hello my husband and I are building a tiny cabin on a concrete slab with infloor heat and a boiler system for heat. It will be a year round cabin and therefore is requiring an HRV system be installed with at least 81% efficiency rating. We would prefer something compact and ductless as our heating system does not have ductwork. It is a one bedroom, one bathroom, one small utility room and open concept kitchen and living area. Can you please advise a product to use that will work as an HRV for our purposes.
The best ERV or HRV heat exchangers for tiny houses in cold climates would in our opinion be ductless wall-insert models. you can see them here in our green building products directory -
Find the best ductless HRV air exchanger for tiny houses in cold climates
These types of heat recovery ventilation systems are great for tiny houses as well as renovations, as they do not require running ducts throughout a home, and they have no air handling unit to take up space. So they really are a perfect solution for tiny houses and ADU's, as well as for additions and granny suites.
They install in pairs with one blowing in while the other blows out, and they reverse directions every minute or so. That's how the heat recovery works, the stale and warm exhaust air warms a ceramic core, and they reverse to keep heating and cooling that core. You can learn more here on this video guide page -
Ductless heat exchanger ventilation system - DIY installation video guide