HRV vs Whole House Dehumidifer

[mark]

Was planning a DIY HRV installation but thought bring a heating contractor over for a comparison. $3000 labour to install a HRV (another $1K wholesale) isn't going to happen but guy was suggesting a whole house dehumidifer would be a better option anyways.

Hadn't really thought about a dehumidifier before as only familiar with the small portable units but a quick search on the internet shows guy might be onto something.

Thoughts? Anyone using a WHD?

[globaldesigns]

Hmmm, $3K seems alot, the quote I had was under $3K with the unit/installed. In the end, I had a friend do mine, and got the unit at his wholesale cost.

The actual time to install is only about half a day (full day worst case scenario), and that is with making holes in the house for venting if needed. So your quote for just labor is high, me thinks.

Personally, a HRV does more overall. The comfort level in my home is great since putting this unit in, especially in the winter, when heating is a factor.

[bkelly]

i just installed a HRV in my home last week , desperately needed, did it myself. Was $3K installed (quote) , i got a top end one for $800 and $400 for parts did it in one day , may basement was easy since the area is unfinished. Immediate results , probably saved our home. I heard full home dehumidifiers need an air conditioner with newer coolant. ours didnt make the cut. most people with tanks recommender an HRV. so far totally worth it.

[KevinK]

I'm on this boat as well,

gust locking into it a bit, pricing, brands, and the best is the grant.

as we gust both the house, we had a assesment dun, so we are able to get the grands, and here in BC the provincial and federal grant together pays for a complete unit (when you install it yourselve), at least that's where I get at.

I was thinking to take my air from above the tank, and the filter room, and the air that gets in the house, I blow gust direct in my ducting (ore straight into the house, and not threw the ducting.

overall, I think I would need it, as my new tank (to be build) and sump together would be at least 40 sqft, if not a mid to small 50 sqft of surf.)

[vaporize]

Seeing that you are in Edmonton, I would recommend installing a HRV.

Reason being that it is going to be cold for majority of the year. I have installed a HRV last year and loved it, my basement was constantly > 60% with humidity even with 2 individual dehumidifer installed before; but last winter, it was always below 45% and the lowest was around 35%.

Dehumidifer is useful when you are in a warmer area and also for the summer months, it does take alot of electricity to run. For us in Toronto, the HRV start to become useless from mid-June to mid-Sept due to the humidity outside the house is alot more humid than inside. But for Edmonton, I think you guys are much colder, so it should have a longer useful life.

Either way, in the summer you will have to run supplementry dehumidifer (unless you have a very strong air conditioner that also acts as a dehumidifer)

p.s. My installation for a York 220 HRV unit was around $2000 including the unit & installation, I think I got some money back from government's rebate too like $300, but I did it with my furnice + A/C replacement. Whole job cost 9800 as I recall (minus the rebates)

[Delphinus]

The HRV was well worth it in my case. I'll have one in any house I live in going forward, tanks or no tanks.