Indoor Air Quality
HRV & ERV Installation in Trenton & Quinte West
Modern homes in Trenton and Quinte West are built tight — and tight homes need mechanical ventilation to stay healthy. Johnston Mechanical HVAC LTD installs Panasonic heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) across Trenton, Quinte West, Belleville, Brighton, and surrounding communities. Brandon personally oversees every installation.
A heat recovery ventilator continuously exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while recovering up to 80 percent of the heat from the outgoing air. The result is a steady supply of fresh air without the energy penalty of simply opening a window. In a well-sealed Ontario home, an HRV is not optional equipment — it is what keeps indoor air quality at a safe level year-round.
Johnston Mechanical installs Panasonic HRV and ERV systems. Panasonic is one of the most respected names in residential ventilation, with a product line known for quiet operation, reliable performance, and efficient heat exchange cores. Brandon will recommend the right unit for your home based on square footage, occupancy, and whether your priority is heat recovery or moisture management.
The difference between an HRV and an ERV comes down to moisture. An HRV transfers heat but exhausts moisture with the outgoing air — the right choice for most Ontario homes where winter humidity is already low. An ERV transfers both heat and moisture, retaining more humidity indoors — better suited to very dry climates or homes where occupants want to maintain higher humidity levels without running a separate humidifier.
HRVs are particularly important in new construction in Trenton, Quinte West, and Brighton, where building code requires mechanical ventilation in homes built to modern airtightness standards. Brandon works with builders on new construction HVAC rough-ins and ensures the HRV is properly integrated with the forced-air system for whole-home distribution.
In existing homes, an HRV can be connected to the existing ductwork or installed with its own dedicated duct runs. Brandon assesses your current system during the site visit and recommends the most practical integration approach for your home. Proper installation ensures the HRV delivers fresh air to bedrooms and living areas while exhausting from kitchens and bathrooms where pollutants and moisture are highest.
Poor indoor air quality in tight homes contributes to headaches, fatigue, respiratory irritation, and elevated CO2 levels. An HRV addresses the root cause — insufficient fresh air exchange — rather than masking symptoms with air purifiers or filters alone.
What's Included
- Site visit and written quote
- Panasonic HRV or ERV unit supply and installation
- Duct connections to existing forced-air system or dedicated runs
- Fresh air intake and exhaust terminations
- Controls and timer installation
- Airflow balancing and commissioning
- Homeowner walkthrough and filter maintenance overview
- 5-year labour warranty
How a Job Goes
- 1
Site Assessment
Brandon visits your home in Trenton, Quinte West, Belleville, or Brighton to assess your existing ventilation, ductwork, and the best location for the HRV unit and exterior terminations.
- 2
Written Quote
You receive a detailed written quote after the site visit covering the unit, ductwork, terminations, and labour. No estimates over the phone.
- 3
Installation
Brandon installs the HRV unit, connects it to the duct system, installs exterior intake and exhaust terminations, and wires the controls. No subcontractors — Brandon does the work.
- 4
Balancing & Commissioning
Airflow is measured and balanced at both the supply and exhaust sides. Brandon confirms the unit is operating within spec and sets the controls to the appropriate ventilation schedule for your household.
- 5
Walkthrough
Brandon walks you through the unit location, filter access, and how to adjust the ventilation schedule seasonally. Most HRV filters need cleaning two to four times per year.
Service Area
Johnston Mechanical serves Trenton, Quinte West, Belleville, Brighton, Frankford, Stirling, and Campbellford for HRV and ERV installation. We also serve surrounding communities in Hastings County and Prince Edward County. Call (613) 827-8973 to confirm availability for your address.
Warranty
All HRV and ERV installations by Johnston Mechanical include a 5-year labour warranty. Panasonic equipment carries its own manufacturer warranty. Brandon will walk you through coverage details at the time of installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my new home in Quinte West need an HRV?
Yes. Ontario Building Code requires mechanical ventilation in new homes built to current airtightness standards. An HRV is the standard solution for meeting that requirement while recovering heat from the exhaust air. Johnston Mechanical installs HRVs as part of new construction HVAC rough-ins throughout Trenton, Quinte West, and Brighton.
How is an HRV different from a bathroom exhaust fan?
A bathroom exhaust fan simply removes air from one room and exhausts it outside with no heat recovery. An HRV continuously exchanges air throughout the entire home, recovering up to 80 percent of the heat from the outgoing air and distributing fresh air to all living spaces. The two serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.
How much energy does an HRV save compared to opening windows?
An HRV recovers 70 to 80 percent of the heat from the outgoing air before it leaves the building. Opening a window in a Trenton winter exhausts 100 percent of that heat with no recovery. Over a heating season, the difference is significant — an HRV provides the same fresh air benefit at a fraction of the energy cost.
Get a Written Quote — No Obligation
Pricing is provided after a site visit. No made-up numbers over the phone — just an honest assessment from a TSSA certified technician.