Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Heat recovery systems pose fire risk for 51,000 homes

North Bay Fire & Emergency Services News Release ********************** North Bay - Over 51,000 homes across Ontario are at risk of fire due to the potential overheating of their heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems.
Kate Adams
North Bay Fire & Emergency Services
News Release

**********************

North Bay - Over 51,000 homes across Ontario are at risk of fire due to the potential overheating of their heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems. The thermal protector in the motors of these HRV systems, part of many newer homes’ heating, cooling and ventilating systems, can fail and pose a potential fire hazard to homeowners.

Certain HRV models produced and installed between 1991 and 2001, and between October 2006 and August 2007, are affected. While Venmar manufactured these models, to date, the affected units were identified with the following brand names:

• Venmar Brand
• NuTone Brand
• Venmar AVS Brand
• Heil Brand
• Flair Brand
• York Brand
• vänEE Brand
• Sears Brand
• Conformax Brand
• Guardian by Broan Brand
• Carrier, Bryant Brands
• Payne
• Day & Night
• Rheem Brands
• Ruud-Protech-Weatherking
• Bryant, Carrier Brands (standard model)

Homeowners with HRV systems manufactured by Venmar Ventilation Inc. during these periods should immediately turn off and unplug their unit. Homeowners should then contact Venmar at 1-866-441-4645, or at www.venmar.ca, to determine if their unit is affected.

Concern about the HRVs arose following investigations of two home fires in Burlington in 2006. As a result of these investigations, Venmar initiated an upgrade program for affected HRVs installed between 1991 and 2001. Recently, the manufacturer initiated a second upgrade program for the HRV systems produced between October 2006 and August 2007.

The manufacturer has confirmed that about 10% of the homes with the affected HRV units have been contacted and retrofitted under the upgrade program. This leaves over 51,000 Ontario homes at risk of potential fire.

If homeowners experience any strange odours, smoke or the smell of burning in your home, call 9-1-1 immediately and have the fire department respond to determine the cause. For more information contact your fire department.

**********************