HRV revisit

Coleus · #1 05-12-2011, 02:31 AM

So i am looking to buy this unit

Lifebreath Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) RNC10 (123 - 177 CFM)

but unsure if this will help with my current 165 gallon tank in my house. My humidity level is 50% right now

Should i get a bigger unit? Anyone has this brand LifeBreath and do you like it?

mark · #2 05-12-2011, 02:34 AM

don't you select the units based on the size of your house?

Coleus · #3 05-12-2011, 03:01 AM

yeah i give them my house size and that is what they recommended it. I am not sure if i should go higher because of the fish tank

The Grizz · #4 05-12-2011, 03:03 AM

It wouldn't hurt to bump it a little for good measure, bigger is always better

outacontrol · #5 05-12-2011, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grizz

It wouldn't hurt to bump it a little for good measure, bigger is always better

Have to disagree with bigger is always better, bigger usually costs more.
A bigger HRV will cost more and use more energy, kinda the opposite of there main purpose. If you want more air changes per hour open a window.

The Grizz · #6 05-12-2011, 03:27 AM

The higher the airflow the shorter running time as it would only kick in according to how you have it set up.

mark0933 · #7 05-12-2011, 12:33 PM

I have been running a RNC155 for a couple of years and have no issues at all, I have a 2000sq ft house and 800G of tanks and it keeps the humidity right where you set it.

Mark

wingedfish · #8 05-12-2011, 01:28 PM

Lifebreath has been making hrv's for 20 years and are one of the top manufacturers. I've installed lots and try to run the exhausts to the problem areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Tough to do in a finished house. Power over passive to actively control humidity issues. And go for the 2 speed that runs low (or off depending on what is needed) and steps to high when the dehumidistat calls for it. If the exhausts are in the bathrooms, a timer switch is installed to run it when using the bathroom. Once the temp climbs in spring they are detrimental to controlling humidity, especially if you use an air conditioner.

FYI, personaly I run 150 gallons of water in a 1000 sq foot 77 bilevel in one of the coldest climates in Canada, can buy wholesale and install myself, and still cannot justify the cost to benefit for an HRV. My house sits just over 50% humidity and for a few weeks a year I cannot see out the picture window do to condensation humidity issues. I live with it. If you or your family suffers from health effects do to airquallity issues, or your humidity runs higher than what you want, your cost to benefit ratio will sway to the hrv side. I would suggest that you research how they work and understand the benefits and pitfalls of the inherent design and compare to what your expectations are. No question they are a better investment than a dehumidifier.

rayjay · #9 05-12-2011, 01:47 PM

Lifebreath is made here in London, and, many other name brands as well that they just stick a different name plate on as other companies found it advantageous to have Lifebreath make HRV's for them.
When I bought mine many years ago, I spoke with the engineer there and he asked me for the size of the house, the square footage of the surface open water in the house, and the temperature of that water.
He came up with the 300DCS double core unit.
In my case, it JUST makes it and that's all, but I have a lot of water in my basement with my tanks and the culturing of rots, artemia and nanno.

Coleus · #10 05-12-2011, 04:26 PM

WingedFish, normally how much do you charge for just installation? It seems like in Calgary, installer charge roughly 1K

I am not sure about all the CFM stuff but i guess LifeBreath RNC 10 should do the job because it is s little bit bigger than RNC155. also it has defrost port which i don't know if it is that useful.