HRV Cleaning in Winnipeg
Filter cleaning, core inspection, and duct connection check for HRV and ERV systems common in newer Winnipeg builds.
How often does an HRV need to be cleaned?
HRV filters should be checked every 2–3 months and the unit professionally cleaned once or twice a year. Bison Maintenance Services cleans the intake and exhaust filters, removes and cleans the heat-exchange core, and checks the duct connections. A neglected HRV stops exchanging air properly, which often shows up as window condensation.
HRVs (heat recovery ventilators) are increasingly standard in newer Winnipeg homes and required by code in many newer builds, because modern houses are built tight enough that they need mechanical ventilation to bring in fresh air without losing all the heat in the process. The problem is that most homeowners don't know their HRV exists beyond a wall control they never touch, and the filters and core inside go uncleaned for years — sometimes since the day the house was built.
An HRV's core is where incoming cold outdoor air and outgoing warm indoor air pass by each other to exchange heat without mixing. When the filters on either side get clogged with dust, that restricts airflow through the whole unit, and a dirty core loses efficiency at actually transferring heat — meaning the unit works harder for less benefit, and the fresh-air exchange it's supposed to provide slows down or stops being effective.
We clean the intake and exhaust filters, inspect and clean the core itself (removable on most residential units), and check that the duct connections to the unit are sealed and clear. If your HRV has ice buildup on the exterior intake/exhaust hoods — common in a Winnipeg winter — we'll flag that too, since it's often a sign the defrost cycle isn't keeping up.
What's included
- Intake and exhaust filter cleaning (or replacement guidance if filters are past reuse)
- Core removal, inspection, and cleaning
- Duct connection check at the unit
- Exterior hood check for ice or blockage
- Basic functional check of fan operation
Why it matters
A neglected HRV doesn't just work less efficiently — it stops doing the one thing it's there for, which is bringing in fresh outdoor air to replace stale indoor air in a tightly sealed modern home. That matters for humidity control (a common complaint in newer Winnipeg homes is window condensation, which is often an HRV or ventilation issue) and for indoor air quality generally, since without proper air exchange, indoor pollutants, CO2, and moisture just accumulate.
Save by Bundling
Included in the Whole-Home Air System Bundle: $150–$300
HRV cleaning is included in our Whole-Home Air System Bundle with duct, furnace cleaning, sanitation, and dryer vent cleaning — $150–$300 depending on home size. As a standalone service, we'll quote based on your unit's make and accessibility.
HRV Cleaning FAQ
Ready to book hrv cleaning?
Call for the fastest answer, or send a quote request — either way you get a real price before any work starts.