FAQ's

Filters every 3 months. The machine once a year, generally in the late fall.  If there are strong odors in your house such as cigarette smoke, your filters may have to be cleaned more often.

Most building supply stores will have filters for the machines they sell, if not contact a service technician for your machine.

Clean off the intake hoods with a stiff brush.  The exhaust hood normally blows itself clear.  Make sure there is adequate room beneath your hood and the ground level.

No.  Air exchangers do not create humidity but if the outside air is humid, they will bring this humidity into your home.  Example:  running an air exchanger on high in the summer.

All new construction needs mechanical ventilation; the most cost effective is an HRV system.

An HRV is a Heat Recovery Ventilator which will recover a percentage of the heat it exhausts from your home.  An ERV is an Energy Recovery Ventilator which not only recovers the heat from the exhaust air but will also transfer some moisture between the air streams.

Generally not, but if you do not have bath fans or would like to bring in cool evening air, there are ways you can use your ventilation system for this.

Yes, you need to bring in as much air as you exhaust, so as not to positively or negatively pressurize your home.  This will maximize the performance of the unit.

Yes, this is a very simple system and does not work as well as fully ducted HRV/ERV systems, but is sometimes the only cost effective option.

Your HRV/ERV is not working properly.  Filters or intake hood may need cleaning, the control may not be set properly, or there may be something mechanically wrong with the unit.

Yes, these units are generally adjusted seasonally.

Your ventilation system can dry your house out to much if your controls are not set correctly.  Try turning your dehumidistat to a higher setting, ie:  towards the summer or off position and run your unit on low.  If this doesn’t work you may need to install a timer or different control to allow the humidity to build up in your house.

Time to clean your filters.  This generally comes on every 3 months.

The HRV/ERV needs to be serviced.  Unplug the machine and arrange for servicing.

No, but every home can benefit from a properly installed ventilation system.

A ventilation system is designed to exhaust stale indoor air and bring in fresh exterior air.  If it is installed properly it will reduce odors in your home.  If the fresh air intake is located in a poor air quality area it could cause odors in your home.  HRV/ERV are not designed to reduce radon.

Your wood heating system should be thoroughly cleaned after the burning season is over.  Re-checking the system before you start burning in the fall, to make sure nothing has plugged chimney or vent pipes and that everything is working properly.  Depending on the amount and quality of the fuel you burn, you may have to re-clean the chimney or pellet venting again during the season.  It is always a good idea to notice how your system is performing and if anything is out of the ordinary, have it checked out.

You can only burn these in appliances that allow these types of logs.

You should only feel the heat from your wood burning appliance; if you are smelling wood burning there is a leak somewhere in the system and needs to be repairs.

You should inspect your wood burning system after you clean it and before you start it up for the season.

Always check your owners manual to ensure your wood burning appliance has the capability to burn North to South and East to West.

Both options have their advantages.

North to South (Front to Back) burn is a faster, hotter fire with better airflow, easier loading and allows the coals to breakdown evenly. 

East to West (Side to Side) burn maintains longer sustainable burns, accommodate larger logs and restricts runaway airflow for a locked in steady heat output 

Moisture content of firewood should be below 20%. A moisture meter accurately measures the amount of moisture in your firewood. Make sure you read your meters manual for proper testing instructions.

Moisture problems can cause low heat output, hissing and sizzling and creosote build up in your wood burning appliance.

A blower on a woodstove is designed to push the air further into the room to promote better air distribution and warm the area quicker.

No, you do not need a blower however it is an added benefit to your appliance.