How to Operate Your ERV or HRV

As homes and buildings become more airtight, we also realize that in the absence of good ventilation buildup of humidity, especially in crowded houses and very cold climates, can lead to poor IAQ and potential growth of mold. Residents can improve their IAQ and get the most out of their HRV or ERV by knowing how it works and adjusting it from time to time.

Multi-Family Challenges

Good fences make good neighbours, but so do walls, if they separate units in multi-family dwellings. In Canada, 60% to 65% of total housing starts are multi-family, and a large proportion of those residents will be owners in condominium arrangements.

Air Barrier Detailing in Attached Housing: Compartmentalization

In this video, Building Knowledge Canada President Gord Cooke describes the construction techniques that make multi-family buildings better for everyone by ensuring that the party wall in multi-family dwellings is as airtight as an exterior wall.

The Mechanisms and Measurement of Air Leakage in Houses

Join Building Science Expert Trevor Trainor as he presents some simple hygrothermal modeling scenarios for standard walls across various Canadian climate zones. A bit of myth-busting along with some cautionary tales about building-to-minimum-code. A dive into why Poly as a VB (vapour barrier) is a poor choice in many regions of Canada—and the importance of vapour diffusion retarder technologies and products.

Airtightness Testing in Large Buildings

Demand for more airtight large buildings is growing. Discover whether airtightness testing in larger buildings is just a matter of scaling up the procedures for a family home or if there are significant differences.

Large Building Air Tightness Testing: Lessons Learned in a Swiftly Growing Industry​