Our house, completely pine clad, built on specs based on R-2000 construction standards, but not certified, is 17 years old. The motors in the air exchanger started making a lot of noise in below freezing weather almost two years ago. Because the unit is so old, new motors were not available. We worked on the existing motors and they lasted almost a year before the noise started again. Several different air exchanger companies quoted prices and solutions for the motors and the steam in the bathrooms, (there are no fans and the vents don't seem to do much, since the mirrors still fog up). One sales rep said it's not only the quality of the air exchanger you purchase, but also the experience of the installer that matters. 'If the air exchanger is not properly balanced, it won't work properly,' he said. Should we take the advice of another dealer who wanted to run a vent to the master and second floor bathrooms, with an on/off fan option? We bought this house five years ago and the previous owners said they rarely used the air exchanger, which explains moisture damage in the bathrooms. If the HRV wasn?t used much, it is surprising that the motors deteriorated. I realize it may be difficult to solve our problem without seeing the set-up in our basement, but do you have any suggestions?

Your Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) has proved that all things pass and nothing lasts forever. As unfortunate as that may be, there is hope. No longer do I want to envision you walking aimlessly through the fog in your bathrooms. Here are some suggestions and comments. I would like to recommend that you find out how efficient your home is, by having an Energy Audit performed. Energy Audits are performed by certified energy advisors who will provide you with independent advice on how your home uses energy and where it is being wasted. The advisor will make recommendations about how you can reduce heating and cooling costs, improve comfort and, most importantly, how to ensure adequate healthy ventilation. When you are out shopping for an HRV, it is important to understand the differences in quality efficiencies and size. It is also important to make sure the unit you are looking at has an HVI sticker on it. This indicates that it has been certified by the Home Ventilation Institute to perform to the standards to which it advertises. When your HRV is being installed, be sure the installer is certified by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada. It is true that the balance of the system is critical to its performance and critical to the performance of other systems in the home, like heating and the entire house as a system. Running separate return ducts from the bathrooms or other areas of high humidity is a viable option. As it stands now, when your door to the bathroom is shut, there is no way for the humid air to efficiently make its way to the HRV. Separate ducting would improve this dramatically. Publications about HRVs are available from Natural Resources Canada by calling 1-800-387-2000. Energy Audits are available by calling 1-888-661-0000.Good luck. I hope the fog has lifted somewhat.