Introduction
Looking to improve your home’s indoor air quality but not sure which Lunos system to choose? This guide will help you understand the key differences between Lunos HRV models and walk you through the factors that matter most—room type, wall depth, climate, filtration, and controls—so you can make an informed, confident decision.
Table of contents
1. Ventilation in Canada
Why Proper Ventilation Matters in Canadian Homes
Many homeowners experience issues with indoor air quality—certain rooms feel stale, humid, or have persistent condensation on windows during winter months. These are signs of poor ventilation.
Whether your home is well-sealed and energy-efficient or older and less airtight, imbalanced ventilation can lead to discomfort and declining indoor air quality. Proper ventilation is essential to maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. At Lunos Canada, we frequently encounter homeowners facing these challenges—often without realizing that ventilation may be a key contributing factor. Fortunately, Lunos offers simple, effective solutions that restore balanced airflow and improve indoor comfort, without the need for ductwork or disruptive renovations.
What Is a Decentralized HRV System?
Lunos is a decentralized heat recovery ventilation system that improves your home's indoor air quality while conserving energy. Unlike traditional whole-home systems, Lunos units are installed directly into exterior walls— localized to the rooms where fresh air is most needed.
Because the system is decentralized, there is no need to retrofit an entire ducted system. Lunos can be installed selectively—in bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces, and basements—depending on the needs of your home.
Lunos systems are designed to recover heat / energy, so during the cold of winter or the heat of summer, your space remains comfortable without wasting energy. They don’t rely on ductwork, and the only maintenance they require is changing the filters—just steady, reliable fresh air where you need it most.
How Lunos Canada Helps You Design the Right HRV Strategy
Selecting the appropriate Lunos system begins by understanding your home’s needs. However, before addressing individual components, it is important to understand that Lunos is best implemented as part of a ventilation strategy. The implementation is modular and highly flexible, allowing it to be tailored to suit various layouts, room types, and airflow goals.
For example, you might live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment that only needs a single pair of e² series units to ventilate the entire space. The e² series includes both the original e² and the higher-capacity e²60—paired, through-wall units designed for bedrooms, living areas, and open-plan spaces.
Or, you could be retrofitting an older two-storey home, where a mix of e² and Ego units might offer the best solution. Lunos systems also work well alongside existing ventilation setups. If your central system doesn’t adequately serve the basement, for instance, a pair of e² units can target that specific zone—without touching ductwork.
2. Choosing a Lunos HRV Based on Room Type
Choosing the right Lunos decentralized HRV depends on room type and airflow needs.
If it’s bedrooms, the living room, or any open living space, the best choice is usually the Lunos e2 series. These units work in pairs: one pulls fresh air in while the other pushes stale air out, and they switch directions every 70 seconds. It’s a clever system that keeps the airflow continually balanced and energy efficient.
If you’re looking to ventilate a bathroom, or small enclosed space, then the Lunos Ego. It handles intake and exhaust all in one unit and doesn’t need to be paired with a second unit. Perfect for moisture-heavy spaces where fresh air and humidity control are both important.
If you’re unsure how to plan your setup, get in touch with our team. We’ll help you design a system that fits your home.
Wall Depth Considerations for e2 series and Ego Units
Both the Lunos e2 series and the Lunos Ego are available in two different sizes to accommodate varying wall depths. Here’s what you need to know.
The Ego that we carry in Canada requires a minimum wall depth of 10½ and comes with either a 19.7" (500 mm) sleeve or a 10¼" (260 mm) sleeve that is cut to fit between your finished interior and exterior surfaces. If your wall is too shallow, a small surface-mounted box (interior or exterior) can be used to make up the difference. The base Lunos ego unit includes one fan, a smart control with transformer and either an exterior universal hood or aluminum hood.
The e2 series come in two different sizes, the short or the standard:
Lunos e2 Short
- The short model requires a minimum wall depth of 7½ inches. It includes a 10¼" (260 mm) sleeve, sleeve that is cut to fit between your finished interior and exterior surfaces.
Lunos e2 Standard
- The standard model requires a minimum wall depth of 10½ inches. It comes with a 19.7" (500 mm) sleeve that is cut to fit between your finished interior and exterior surfaces. If your wall is too shallow, a small surface-mounted box (interior or exterior) can be used to make up the difference.
Both models of the e2 series deliver the same airflow and core functionality. The standard version has a slightly longer heat exchange core, which results in a marginal increase in heat recovery—but the difference is minimal in real-world performance.
The base Lunos e² series unit includes a pair of fans, a manual control with transformer, and two standard plastic interior and two plastic exterior grills (as shown above in figure 2). From there, you can configure your system based on your climate, layout, and performance preferences. These aren’t “accessories” in the traditional sense—they’re modular upgrades designed to optimize the system for your specific needs.
3. Climate Considerations and Exterior Grill Options
If your home is in a windy area, cold region, or especially exposed to the elements, we always recommend using either the Universal Hood or Aluminum Hood on the exterior. These provide better protection for your unit and help it perform more reliably in inclement weather.
The Lunos ego comes standard with the Universal Hood or Aluminum Hood, but for the e2 series, you’ll have a choice between the basic plastic screen, Universal Hood, or Aluminum Hood. For most Canadian homes, we lean toward the Universal or Aluminum options—they’re worth it for the added durability and protection.
4. Aesthetics, Sound and Air Filtration Options for Lunos HRVs (interior grills)
Every Lunos unit comes standard with a plastic internal grill and washable MERV 3 filter, suitable for general residential use. For those seeking enhanced filtration—such as individuals with allergies, sensitivities to dust or pollen, or those living in urban environments—a MERV 7 pollen filter is available as a separate purchase.
For the highest level of air purification, the F7 Hygiene Screen offers MERV 13 filtration (not available for the Ego), capturing finer airborne particles including allergens and pollutants. The choice ultimately depends on your individual comfort level and air quality needs. Please note: the MERV 13 option requires a compatible internal screen.
For homeowners who want fresh air and a quiet environment at the same time, Lunos offers an optional sound-insulating inner screen, also known as the sound baffle. This inner screen helps reduce airflow noise and limits the amount of outside noise entering your home, making it a practical choice for bedrooms, home offices, or other quiet living spaces.
5. Control Options: Manual (Universal) vs. Smart HRV Management
Finally, how hands-on do you want to be with the controls? When it comes to controls, your level of involvement depends on your preferences.
The Universal Control (5/UNI-FT) is a simple, manual option that gives users control over fan speed and ventilation mode. It’s wired to a standard double-gang light switch—so you can choose one that matches the style of your home. This option is ideal for those who prefer a straightforward, set-it-and-forget-it approach.
For homeowners who want more flexibility—and a wall-mounted control that functions more like a traditional thermostat—the Smart Comfort Control (5/SC-FT) is a solid option. It includes a built-in humidity sensor that automatically boosts ventilation when moisture levels rise, making it especially useful in bathrooms or other high-humidity areas. It also features an exhaust mode and several basic pre-set functions for added control. While it is labeled as a “smart” control, it’s important to note that it does not offer app integration, Wi-Fi connectivity, or advanced automation. It’s best understood as a more feature-rich manual control. Having said that, many homeowners prefer it for its sleek, modern appearance, as it offers a more refined look on the wall compared to the universal option.
6. Lunos Product Comparison Table
Here’s a Quick Side-by-Side Comparison:
|
Lunos e² |
Lunos e²Pro (e²60) |
Lunos Ego |
|
|
Best For |
Bedrooms, living rooms, open-plan areas |
Larger rooms, higher airflow needs |
Bathrooms, kitchens, enclosed rooms |
|
Airflow (regenerative mode) |
~23 CFM |
~35 CFM |
~12 CFM |
|
Sound Level (dB) |
11 – 19 dB |
11 – 23 dB |
15 – 26 dB |
|
Control Type |
Universal Control (5/UNI-FT) or Smart Comfort Control (5/SC-FT) |
Universal Control (5/UNI-FT) or Smart Comfort Control (5/SC-FT) |
Smart Comfort Control (5/SC-FT) |
| Mounting | Through-wall (paired) |
Through-wall (paired) |
Through-wall (single) |
|
Filtration Options |
MERV 3, MERV 7, MERV 13 (Hygiene Screen) |
MERV 3, MERV 7, MERV 13 (Hygiene Screen) |
MERV 3, MERV 7 |
7. Need Help Choosing a Decentralized HRV System?
If you have questions about how Lunos products might be used in your home, the Lunos Canada team is here to help.
If your project involves permitting, inspections, or engineering review, Lunos Canada can provide documentation, technical insights, and manufacturer-supplied materials to support those discussions. We always recommend consulting with a qualified professional to ensure compliance with local codes and regulations. Choosing the appropriate Lunos system does not need to be complex. With a clear strategy in place, you can expect improved air quality, reduced moisture, and year-round comfort—supported by technology designed specifically for Canadian conditions.
Whether you’re improving air quality, reducing moisture, or simply making your home more comfortable, Lunos gives you a solution that’s flexible, efficient, and built for Canadian conditions.