HRV before rainy season checklist in Greater Vancouver

An HRV (heat recovery ventilator) is your home's lungs, swapping stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while recovering heat. As Greater Vancouver's long rainy season sets in and windows stay shut, a clean, well-tuned HRV makes a real difference to comfort and moisture control.

Service the parts you can reach

An HRV is a ventilation appliance with filters, a core, and intake and exhaust hoods. None of it involves combustion, refrigerant, or a thermostat, so the homeowner tasks are about keeping air moving cleanly. A pre-rainy-season clean keeps it working through the months when you depend on it most.

• Open the cabinet and remove the filters, then wash or vacuum them and let them dry before reinstalling
• Slide out the heat-recovery core and rinse it according to the manufacturer's instructions if yours is washable
• Check the exterior intake and exhaust hoods outside and clear leaves, lint, and any insect screens that are clogged
• Wipe out the cabinet and confirm the condensate drain is clear so moisture can escape
• Set the HRV to its normal or higher ventilation rate for the damp months ahead

Why HRV care matters in a wet climate

When the rain keeps windows closed for weeks, moisture from cooking, showers, and breathing builds up indoors. A working HRV continually exhausts that humid, stale air and brings in fresh air, which helps control condensation, odours, and the damp feeling common in tightly sealed Lower Mainland homes. A neglected, clogged HRV cannot do this and the home feels stuffy.

If your HRV is noisy, not moving much air, or you are unsure how to balance it, HeatLand can service and balance the system so it ventilates effectively all season. Qualifying ventilation upgrades may be eligible for FortisBC and CleanBC rebates.

Set the right ventilation rate

Many homeowners turn their HRV down or off to save energy, then wonder why windows fog and the air feels heavy. Through the rainy season, running it at a steady rate, or boosting it during cooking and bathing, keeps indoor humidity in check far better than letting moist air sit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my HRV filters?

Check them every couple of months and clean them at the start of the rainy season. Dirty filters cut airflow and reduce the unit's ability to manage indoor moisture.

Can I rinse the HRV core myself?

Many cores are washable and can be rinsed per the manufacturer's instructions. If yours looks fragile or you are unsure, leave it to a technician during a service visit.

Should I run my HRV more in the rainy season?

Yes. With windows closed for months, steady ventilation removes the indoor humidity that causes condensation and that damp, stuffy feeling. Boost it during showers and cooking.

Why are my windows fogging even though I have an HRV?

It may be turned down, the filters or core may be clogged, or it may need balancing. Cleaning it usually helps; if not, have the system checked and adjusted.

HeatLand Heating & Cooling is a licensed and insured, TSBC-certified HVAC company serving homeowners across Greater Vancouver. Our technicians diagnose the real fault, explain your options in plain language, and complete the work safely and to code.

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How often should I clean my HRV filters?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Check them every couple of months and clean them at the start of the rainy season. Dirty filters cut airflow and reduce the unit’s ability to manage indoor moisture.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can I rinse the HRV core myself?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Many cores are washable and can be rinsed per the manufacturer’s instructions. If yours looks fragile or you are unsure, leave it to a technician during a service visit.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Should I run my HRV more in the rainy season?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes. With windows closed for months, steady ventilation removes the indoor humidity that causes condensation and that damp, stuffy feeling. Boost it during showers and cooking.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why are my windows fogging even though I have an HRV?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”It may be turned down, the filters or core may be clogged, or it may need balancing. Cleaning it usually helps; if not, have the system checked and adjusted.”}}]}{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”Article”,”headline”:”HRV before rainy season checklist in Greater Vancouver”,”publisher”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”HeatLand Heating & Cooling”,”url”:”https://heatland.ca”},”url”:”https://heatland.ca/hrv-before-rainy-season-checklist-greater-vancouver/”}