Rev. December 19, 2008
Page 15 of 19
9.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
SYMPTOM
EXPLANATION
ANSWER
Humidity levels too low.
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HRV air flows incorrectly balanced.
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Dehumidistat control set too low.
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Lifestyle of the resident(s).
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Balance Air Flow(s).
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Increase Dehumidistat.
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Humidifiers may need to be added.
Humidity levels too high.
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HRV air flows incorrectly balanced.
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HRV not properly sized for the application
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High humidity areas not ventilated properly.
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Lifestyle of resident(s).
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Dehumidistat is not working.
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Balance airflow.
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Set dehumidistat.
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Cover pools etc. when not in use.
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Avoid hanging clothes to dry, storing wood and
venting clothes dryer inside.
House dry/basement wet.
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High humidity during summer months
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Install a programmable timer on 12-hour cycle. On
at night. Off during the day.
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Partially close some grills upstairs, open grills in
basement.
Dehumidistat is not
working.
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Incorrect connection of outside low voltage
wiring between HRV and Dehumidistat.
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Check control wiring for short
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Check wall switch for correct connection.
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Check wires are connected to proper terminals at the
HRV
Frosting up of HRV and/or
Duct(s).
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HRV air flows incorrectly balanced.
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HRV defrost system is not working.
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Balance HRV.
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Install back draft dampers.
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Check defrost system.
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Note minimal frost build up is expected on cores
before unit initiates defrost cycle function.
Supply air feels cool.
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HRV air flows incorrectly balanced.
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Improper location of supply grills.
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Extremely cold outside temperatures.
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Moving air feels cooler than it actually is.
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Balance HRV.
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Locate grills high on walls or in ceiling.
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If supply air is installed into return line of furnace,
furnace fan must run continuously on low speed.
Outside duct has ice build
up or condensation.
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Improperly installed vapour barrier around
insulated duct.
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Tape all joints.
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Ensure that vapour barrier is completely sealed and
insulated.
Water in the bottom of
HRV.
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Drain pans are plugged.
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Incorrect connections of HRV’s drain lines.
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HRV is not level.
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Drain lines plugged.
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HRV heat exchange core improperly
installed.
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Look for kinks in the line.
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Check water drain connections.
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Ensure that water drains from pan.
Poor air flow(s)
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HRV airflow incorrectly balanced.
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Filters need to be cleaned.
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Mesh on outside hoods needs to be cleaned.
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Grills are closed.
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Inline dampers are closed.
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Low power supply.
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Wrong-size ducting.
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Under-sized HRV.
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HRV is not working.
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Tape all joints.
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Use proper air flow measuring equipment.
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Open grills.
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Remove obstructions in duct(s), hoods(s), and
grill(s).
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Balance air flows.
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Clean filter.
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Have a professional look at the system.
IMPORTANT!
QUALIFIED TECHNICIANS SHOULD DO ALL OTHER SERVICING.
