The air exchanger is the "lung" of your home. If it doesn't breathe properly, your whole family suffers.
In Montreal, with our harsh winters and humid summers, we keep our windows closed most of the year. Air gets trapped inside, and that's when your air exchanger becomes your best friend... or your worst enemy if it's not well maintained.
At Ventilation Vortex Air, we see all too often the consequences of a neglected air exchanger. In this article, we'll explain why maintaining your system is essential to your family's health, your wallet and your home's longevity.
Understanding the role of the air exchanger
An air exchanger does exactly what the name says: it exchanges the stale air in your home for fresh air from outside, recovering heat in the process.
It controls humidity, eliminates the CO2 your family produces, and constantly improves the quality of the air you breathe.
In Montreal, around 80% of new buildings now incorporate a ventilation system. Modern airtightness standards make this almost mandatory.
"In the new condos we visit on the South Shore or North Shore, the air exchanger is often the only way for the air to circulate properly," explains Omar from our team.
Without it, your home becomes like a hermetically sealed box filled with all the pollutants you produce: cooking fumes, cleaning products, CO2, humidity from the shower, not to mention the particles we drag in from outside.
The dangers of a clogged air exchanger
When your air exchanger is dirty, it's not just a question of comfort.
Impact on your health
A clogged exchanger increases the risk of allergies and asthma in your family by 30 to 50%. Mold, dust mites, dust - they all circulate in a loop in your air.
"We visited a house in Rivière-des-Prairies where the little girl had recurring asthma," says Mohamed. "After cleaning out their air exchanger and uncovering years of mold buildup, her symptoms drastically decreased."
Impact on your portfolio
A clogged system loses up to 25% of its efficiency. That translates into 50$ to 150$ more per year on your Hydro-Québec bill.
Your system works harder to do the same job, as if you were trying to breathe with a scarf over your nose.
Long-term damage
Moisture build-up caused by poor air exchange leads to mold and structural damage. We're talking about rotting walls, stained ceilings and deteriorating ductwork.
Mohamed has seen cases where repairs have cost thousands of dollars, all because the air exchanger wasn't maintained.
Safety risks
A clogged system can overheat or develop mechanical defects. In the worst case, this can lead to complete breakdowns in the middle of a Montreal winter.
Myths and facts about maintenance
Myth 1: Cleaning filters is enough
Reality: Filters are just the first step. The ducts, the heat recovery core and all the air vents also need to be cleaned.
"It's like saying that by changing the oil in your tank, you've done all the maintenance," compares Omar.
Myth 2: New homes are maintenance-free
Reality: Even in a new home, urban dust, traffic pollution and construction particles quickly accumulate.
In Montreal, with all the road work and urban density, your filters get dirty faster than in the suburbs.
Myth 3: DIY is good enough
Reality: Without specialized tools - HEPA vacuum cleaners, rotary brushes, friction-suction equipment - cleaning remains incomplete.
Worse, you can damage delicate components like the heat recovery core, which costs several hundred dollars to replace.
Recommended cleaning frequency and methods
Basic maintenance you can do
Filters : Nettoyage aux 3-6 mois, dépendamment de votre environnement. Si vous habitez près d’une artère comme le boulevard Taschereau ou proche des travaux du REM, penchez vers aux 3 mois.
Grilles and vents : Vacuum once a month to remove visible dust.
Professional interview
Complete system : Every 3 to 5 years as recommended by RBQ and CAA-Quebec.
Our methods at Ventilation Vortex Air include :
- HEPA vacuum captures 99.97% of particles
- Friction-suction with rotating brushes to remove stubborn build-up
- Eco-friendly products - important for your family's health
- Check air balance to optimize performance
- Inspect condensation drain to avoid moisture problems
"We dismantle the entire system," explains Mohamed. "The core, the ducts, everything goes through it. It's the only way to guarantee truly effective cleaning."
Why it's particularly crucial in Montreal
Our city has unique challenges that make air exchanger maintenance even more important.
Intense urban pollution
Between constant traffic, permanent construction sites and areas like the Champlain Bridge, the outdoor air we bring into our homes is already laden with particles.
Humid climate
Our humid summers encourage mold growth in systems. In winter, condensation creates perfect conditions for the accumulation of dirt.
Modern waterproof construction
Condos and new houses on the South Shore - Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Hubert - are built to be super-tight. Without a properly functioning air exchanger, the air quickly becomes stale.
"In some downtown condos, we measured CO2 levels three times higher than normal," notes Omar.
Post-2020 awareness
Since the pandemic, families have become more aware of the importance of indoor air quality. We're getting a lot more calls from people who want to make sure their air is healthy.
Trends and updates 2025
This year, we're seeing an increase in demand for eco-friendly cleaning services. Families want non-toxic products, especially with children at home.
We now offer [free inspections]. to assess the condition of your system before recommending a service.
Même si il y a pas de loi qui oblige l’entretien, les recommandations de la RBQ pis de CAA-Québec sont claires : un entretien régulier est essentiel pour la sécurité pis la santé.
Many companies offer seasonal promotions. The rest of us often have [combined packages] - for example, air exchanger cleaning and inspection of your ventilation ducts.
Practical advice for Montreal homeowners
Regular monitoring :
- Check your filters at every change of season
- Vacuum visible grilles once a month
- Listen to your system - if it's making more noise than before, it's often a sign that it's working too hard.
Warning signs to watch out for:
- Musty or stale odors
- Excessive moisture on windows
- Dust returns quickly after cleaning
- Respiratory problems that worsen indoors
Preventive maintenance : Don't wait for problems to appear. Preventive maintenance always costs less than emergency repairs.
"We have customers who call us every fall for their annual maintenance," says Mohamed. "Their systems last longer, plus their families are healthy."
[Plan your interview] before winter, when your system will be working hardest.
An investment in your quality of life
Air exchanger cleaning isn't just a matter of maintenance-it's an investment in your family's health, your daily comfort, your energy savings, and your system's durability.
In Montreal and the South Shore, with our urban pollution, changing climate and airtight houses, air exchanger cleaning isn't a luxury - it's a necessity.
At Ventilation Vortex Air, we've cleaned over 500 systems in the metropolitan area. Our INVC-certified technicians understand the unique challenges of our neighborhoods-from downtown condo towers to Longueuil bungalows.
You can see the difference it makes: families breathe easier, electricity bills go down, and systems last longer.
Give your family the fresh air they deserve. [Contact us today for your free inspection]. - available 24/7 with Mohamed, Omar and our team of specialists.
We travel all over the metropolitan area, from Laval to the Montérégie, and give you an honest assessment of your system's condition before recommending anything.
Because your family deserves to breathe the best possible air, even in the heart of Montreal.
