HRV & ERV systems in London, Ontario
Bring fresh air in. Send stale air out.
Your home needs fresh air in every season, not just when the windows are open. Donaldson Home Services installs and services HRV and ERV systems for homes in London, Ontario and surrounding communities, exchanging stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while helping your home retain heating or air conditioning energy.
Is an HRV or ERV right for your home?
Today’s homes are designed to limit unwanted air leakage, which is good for comfort and efficiency, but it can also mean stale air, excess moisture and everyday indoor pollutants have fewer ways to escape. An HRV or ERV provides controlled whole-home ventilation by bringing fresh outdoor air in while exhausting stale indoor air.
An HRV or ERV may be worth considering if:
Not every indoor air concern is a ventilation problem. Donaldson can assess your home and help determine whether an HRV, ERV or another indoor air quality solution makes the most sense.
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Better home ventilation with an HRV or ERV
Opening a window can bring fresh air inside, but it also lets heated or air-conditioned air escape. HRVs and ERVs are designed to ventilate your home more efficiently by transferring energy between outgoing and incoming air streams. Ventilation is one of our indoor air quality services, alongside whole-home humidifiers, air purifiers and duct cleaning, for homes in London and surrounding communities. With Donaldson, you can expect:
What to expect
The right ventilation system depends on your home, its existing HVAC equipment and how air moves through the space. Donaldson will assess those factors before recommending a system.
Step one
Get in touch
Let us know what you’re experiencing and what you’d like to improve. We’ll schedule a time to assess your home and existing ventilation setup.
Step two
Home assessment
We’ll look at your home’s HVAC system, existing ventilation, layout and other factors that affect how fresh air should be introduced and stale air exhausted.
Step three
Recommendations
We’ll help you understand whether an HRV or ERV makes sense for your home, recommend appropriately sized equipment and provide clear pricing before installation.
Step four
Install & test
Our technicians will install and connect the equipment, test its operation and show you how to use and care for your new ventilation system.
We install trusted HRV & ERV systems
We install and service Lifebreath and vänEE ventilation equipment designed to work with your home’s heating and air conditioning system.
Fresh air, with less energy loss
HRVs and ERVs exchange indoor and outdoor air while recovering energy from the outgoing air stream, giving your home controlled ventilation without simply opening a window.
Why homeowners choose Donaldson
Honest advice, expert craftsmanship and a commitment to treating every home like our own, backed by 4.9 stars from 3,000+ Google reviews.
Local and family-owned
We’re not a franchise. Donaldson has been owned and run by Jamie and Anna Donaldson since 2013, and our reputation matters to us personally.
Honest recommendations
We explain every option in plain language and help you choose what’s right for your home and your budget, never simply what’s most expensive.
Upfront pricing
We give you the full price before any work begins, and what you’re quoted is what you pay. No hidden fees or unexpected invoice charges.
True Care protection
True Care brings parts and labour, diagnostics, annual maintenance and priority service together on qualifying new furnaces and air conditioners.
What your neighbours are saying about us
HRV vs. ERV: what’s the difference?
Both HRVs and ERVs bring fresh outdoor air into your home while exhausting stale indoor air. The key difference is how they transfer energy and moisture between the two air streams.
What is an HRV?
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) transfers heat between incoming and outgoing air. During colder weather, this helps retain heat that would otherwise be lost as stale indoor air is exhausted.
What is an ERV?
An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) transfers heat and some moisture between incoming and outgoing air. That moisture transfer can make an ERV better suited to certain homes and indoor humidity conditions.
Which one is right for your home?
There isn’t one answer for every home. Your home’s construction, existing HVAC system, occupancy and indoor humidity can all affect which ventilation system makes the most sense.
Donaldson can assess your home and recommend an HRV or ERV based on how your home actually performs.
Membership Plans for every home
Choose how many pieces of equipment you want Donaldson to maintain year-round with our simple 10, 20 & 30 plans. A little care now means fewer surprises later.
Best value
Whole-Home Care
Furnace, AC, water heater, humidifier, HRV & fireplaces
$30
/Month
Furnace + AC Care
Both units covered, 2 maintenance visits per year
$20
/Month
Furnace or AC Care
Coverage & 1 maintenance visit per year for one unit
$10
/Month
Waived Diagnostic Fee
15% repair discount
Priority booking
Serving London, Ontario and surrounding areas
Locally based, with technicians across Southwestern Ontario. Don’t see your town? Give us a shout. Chances are we’re nearby.
Schedule a 2-hour arrival window for any home heating, air conditioning, or plumbing service. You’ll receive a text when we’re on the way, plus a photo of your technician so you know exactly who’s coming. Book now and experience service you can trust.
HRV & ERV FAQs
Have more questions? We’ve got the answers.
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) brings fresh outdoor air into your home while exhausting stale indoor air. As the two air streams pass through the system, heat is transferred between them to reduce the amount of energy lost through ventilation. Wondering if your home needs one? Book a home assessment.
Both provide controlled whole-home ventilation and recover energy from outgoing air. An HRV primarily transfers heat, while an ERV transfers heat and some moisture. The right option depends on your home, HVAC system and indoor conditions, and Donaldson will recommend one after assessing your home.
An HRV or ERV may be worth considering if your home feels stuffy, experiences excess condensation or humidity, holds lingering household odours, or has limited natural air exchange. Donaldson can assess your home to determine whether mechanical ventilation is the right solution. Other causes may call for different indoor air quality services.
Ventilation can help manage excess indoor moisture, but an HRV or ERV isn’t a universal solution for every humidity problem. The right approach depends on the moisture levels in your home, what’s causing them and your existing HVAC system. If the air is too dry in winter instead, see whole-home humidifiers.
HRVs and ERVs can be integrated with many forced-air HVAC systems. The exact setup depends on your existing equipment and ductwork, so Donaldson will assess your system before recommending an installation, then connect and test the equipment with it. Replacing your furnace too? See furnace installation.
Filters, exterior intake and exhaust vents and other components should be checked and maintained regularly to keep air moving properly. Requirements vary by system, so follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and have the equipment professionally serviced as needed. HRVs are included in our Whole-Home Care plan: see Membership Plans.
The cost of an HRV or ERV depends on the equipment selected, your home’s existing HVAC system and ductwork, and the requirements of the installation. Donaldson assesses your home first and provides clear recommendations and pricing before installation. Request a quote.
Helpful resources
Everything you need to make confident decisions about your home.
Need some assistance?
Let’s get started
Reliable home service from a trusted local team: honest advice, upfront pricing, and True Care coverage that keeps us in your corner long after the job is done.
Call (519) 439-4328 or schedule your service online.
