HRV exterior hood blocked by lint in Greater Vancouver

The exterior hoods on your HRV are where fresh air enters and stale air leaves your home. When lint, debris, or screen buildup blocks one of those hoods, the whole ventilation system suffers. This is a frequent issue in Greater Vancouver, and fortunately it is one of the easier ones to spot and address. Here is what to know.

How a Blocked Hood Affects Your HRV

An HRV draws fresh air in through one exterior hood and pushes stale air out through another. These hoods are simple passive openings with a louver and usually an insect screen. When lint, leaves, pollen, cobwebs, or even a nearby dryer vent's lint coats the hood or its screen, airflow drops on that side. A blocked intake starves the home of fresh air; a blocked exhaust traps stale, humid air inside.

Lint buildup is especially common where an HRV exhaust hood sits near a clothes dryer vent or where moss and debris accumulate on a shaded north-facing wall, both typical in our climate.

• Reduced fresh air and a stuffy, stale feeling indoors
• Higher indoor humidity and more window condensation
• The HRV running but seeming to do little
• Visible lint, moss, leaves, or cobwebs on the exterior hood
• A whistling sound as air squeezes past the blockage

Safe Checks and Cleaning

Clearing the exterior hoods is a safe homeowner task. Locate the two HRV hoods on your exterior wall — they are usually round caps a short distance apart. Gently remove lint, leaves, cobwebs, and moss from the louvers and the screen behind them. A soft brush and a vacuum work well. Make sure the insect screen is intact but not clogged, and confirm nothing like a planter or shrub is crowding the hood.

After cleaning, run the HRV and you should notice stronger, fresher airflow and less window condensation. Make this a seasonal habit, since hoods recoat with debris over time, particularly the exhaust hood near a dryer vent.

When to Call a Technician

If the hoods are clear but airflow is still weak, or if you find lint that seems to be coming from inside the ducting rather than outside, have the system checked. A technician can inspect the internal filters and core, confirm the hoods are correctly placed and sized, and rebalance the unit. HeatLand can service your HRV and ensure the intake and exhaust are doing their jobs. Ventilation upgrades may qualify for CleanBC or FortisBC rebates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my HRV exterior hood is blocked?

Signs include stuffy air, rising humidity, more window condensation, and a whistling sound, along with visible lint, moss, or debris on the hood when you check it outside.

Can I clean the HRV exterior hood myself?

Yes. Gently clearing lint, leaves, and cobwebs from the louvers and screen with a soft brush and vacuum is a safe homeowner task. Just take care if the hood is up high.

Why does lint keep building up on my HRV hood?

Often the HRV exhaust hood sits near a clothes dryer vent, so dryer lint settles on it. Shaded, damp walls also collect moss and debris. Seasonal cleaning keeps it clear.

How often should I check the exterior hoods?

Checking them seasonally is a good rule, and more often if they are near a dryer vent or on a shaded wall where moss and lint accumulate quickly.

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.

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