HRVLifebreath MAXHVI 2505460

Lifebreath 205MAX

Heat recovery ventilator (HRV). Moves heat between the outgoing and incoming air, so winter fresh air arrives warmer. Moisture goes out with the stale air.

  • ENERGY STAR (Canada)

About $1,293Equipment only, at HVACQuick, October 2026. Installed cost is more.

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  1. Fresh air in, from outside
  2. Fresh air out, to the rooms
  3. Stale air in, from the rooms
  4. Stale air out, to outside

Our drawing, measured from Lifebreath 205 MAX spec sheet (205 MAX - 0826), "Dimensions" (page 1) to about half an inch: 33 5/8 in wide, 18 3/4 in high, 15 in deep; 6 in collars on top. The numbers are ours, the same on every unit.

At a glance

  • HVI-certified (HVI 2505460)Its airflow and efficiency were tested to the Home Ventilating Institute’s standard.
  • 170 cfm at 0.4 in., 159 cfm at 0.5 in. of duct pressureCertified fresh air delivered, at HVI’s headline rating point and at the higher pressure many real ducts run at.
  • No Lifebreath CO2 control; terminals 2 and 6 hold high speed while joinedLifebreath’s manuals show its own 99-101 dry-contact timer there, and its METRO manual allows third-party dry-contact timers. A CO2 relay would go there too: ask your installer.
  • How it handles frost in very cold weatherIntelligent recirculating damper defrost. Lifebreath's FAQ says its units go into defrost below -3 °C (27 °F).

Certifications

  • HVI certified

    HVI 2505460

    The Home Ventilating Institute tested its airflow and heat recovery. The certified numbers on this page come from its directory. Find HVI 2505460 in HVI’s directory

  • ENERGY STAR (Canada)

    Listed as 205MAX

    On Natural Resources Canada’s ENERGY STAR list for HRVs and ERVs, which sets minimums for heat recovery in cold weather and for fan power. ENERGY STAR certifies HRVs and ERVs only in Canada. NRCan’s ENERGY STAR list (search the model number) (checked October 19, 2026)

Would it cover your home?

Tell it who sleeps in each bedroom. It’s checked against the 800 ppm goal the same way the app checks a unit an installer quotes.

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Certified airflow

How much fresh air it delivers as the ducts push back. More duct pressure, less air: that’s why the installer’s duct design matters as much as the unit.

0501001502002500.00.20.40.60.81.0Duct pressure (in. w.g.) →cfm170 cfm159 cfm
Certified net supply airflow from the HVI directory, at each tested duct pressure. The shaded band is 0.4 to 0.5 in.: HVI’s headline rating point, and the higher pressure HouseExhale also checks because many real duct systems run above their design.
Every certified point
Duct pressure (in. w.g.)Fresh air delivered (cfm)
0.1199
0.2191
0.3180
0.4170
0.5159
0.6148
0.7138
0.8127
0.9114
1.0102
Lowest steady airflow (maker)
Not stated in the review’s sources
Highest airflow (maker)
182 cfm

Heat recovery

Sensible recovery (SRE) is the share of heat kept in winter, after the fan’s own heat is taken out. Higher is warmer incoming air for the same airflow.

OutdoorsAirflowSREFan powercfm per watt
32°F (0°C)49 cfm83% SRE58 W0.8
32°F (0°C)64 cfm82% SRE66 W0.9
32°F (0°C)95 cfm79% SRE86 W1.1
-13°F (-25°C)70 cfm69% SRE117 W–
  • Keeps 79–83% of the heat at 32°FAcross the airflows HVI tested.
  • Tested at −13°F too: 69% SREHVI’s very-cold test point, useful in cold climates.

HRV or ERV: which fits your home?

Turning up on CO2

A CO2 control can switch it to a higher speed when the bedroom needs air, then back. HouseExhale’s setting: up at 750 ppm, back at 650, never above 800.

  • No Lifebreath CO2 control; terminals 2 and 6 hold high speed while joinedLifebreath’s manuals show its own 99-101 dry-contact timer there, and its METRO manual allows third-party dry-contact timers. A CO2 relay would go there too: ask your installer.

What Lifebreath (Airia) documents

  • No Lifebreath CO2 controlIts controls are timers, speed and humidity.
  • Terminals 2 (ON) and 6 (HI) hold high speed while joinedIts METRO manual allows third-party dry-contact timers there; the residential manuals show Lifebreath’s own 99-101 timer. It doesn’t say what happens when the contact opens.
  • Nothing works when the unit is fully offA jumper between 2 and 3 turns off into standby. Some codes require fully off: ask.

Four ways to make it turn up by itself

  • A CO2 control on its high-speed inputAsk your installer

    A CO2 relay on 2 (ON) and 6 (HI), the dry contact Lifebreath documents for high speed.

  • A night scheduleAsk your installer

    A dry-contact timer on 2 and 6, or its DXPL03 control’s settings.

  • Your monitor and a smart-home relayAsk your maker first

    A dry-contact relay on 2 and 6. Not documented by Lifebreath.

  • Its maker’s CO2 controlNot for this unit

    Lifebreath doesn’t make a CO2 control.

How to add CO₂ control to an HRV or ERV · CO₂ controls

Installing it

The maker’s facts an installer plans around. Your installer confirms them for your home.

Power
120 V, 60 Hz, 1.4 A (minimum circuit 2.0 A, max breaker 15 A). Plugs into a grounded 120 V outlet; a separate 15 A circuit is recommended; no extension cords.
Duct connections
6-inch (150 mm) round collars on top ("top ported"), with door-port balancing and adjustable dampers.
Size
18.75 in. H × 33.62 in. W × 15 in. D.
Weight
57 lb (25.8 kg); 67 lb (30 kg) shipping.
Mounting
Hangs from floor joists: four threaded inserts at the cabinet corners take the supplied S-hooks and hanging straps. Must be level; leave 25 in. in front for service.
Drain line
Sources disagree: the spec sheet lists drain connections printed as "2 - 1/2 in. (12 mm) OD" (a condensate drain), but the product page says "Drain: No". See notes.
Cold weather
Intelligent recirculating damper defrost. Lifebreath's FAQ says its units go into defrost below -3 °C (27 °F).
Balancing the airflow
Door-port balancing and adjustable dampers
Ducts
Multiple standard duct configurations per manual
In the box
The HRV, S-hooks and hanging straps, and the 99-DXPL03 wall control (listed as included on the product page, sales sheet and HVACQuick; the spec sheet's electronics section calls it optional).

Controls

  • Comes with: 99-DXPL03 digital wall control ships with the unit (five speeds, five modes, 20/40/60 high-speed button, dehumidistat 20–60 % RH).
  • Wall controls sold: 99-BC02 / 99-BC03 / 99-BC04 basic controls; 99-DET01 wired 20/40/60-minute timer; 99-DET02 wireless 20/40/60-minute timer (about 40 ft range); 99-RX02 wireless repeater; 99-101 two-wire mechanical dry-contact timer; Dehumidistat (no part number given)
  • Boost: Timed 20, 40 or 60 minutes of high speed from the DXPL03 button or the DET01/DET02 timers; afterward the unit returns to its previous speed. Installer DIP switches set the high-speed level (Hi3 factory default on the 205 MAX sheet).
  • App or smart home: None stated.
  • High-speed input: Dry contact between terminals ON and HI (or H) gives high speed while closed; ON–LOW low speed; ON–BLK/DH dehumidistat. A jumper ON (2)–RED (3) changes 'fully off' to 'standby off'. Only one main control per system.
Humidity control
Not confirmed
Bathroom boost
Not confirmed
Works without the internet
Documented

Owning it

Equipment price
  • $1,293.30 at HVACQuick, October 17, 2026Part 93-205MAX, DXPL03 control included; in stock, ships freight. One price shown, no sale marking.
Rebates
Federal tax credits ended for work after 2025. Some states and utilities still pay toward an HRV or ERV: rebates by state.
Filters
  • Type: Washable filters in both airstreams
  • MERV: 6; MERV 13 upgrade available
  • Part: MERV 13 upgrade 65-195-6R (no part number for the standard filters)
  • How often: Rinse filters every 3 months; wash the core every two years; check the drain parts yearly
Warranty
  • Core: Lifetime (HRV core)
  • Parts: 5 years
  • Motor: Replacement parts bought later (e.g. a motor) carry 1 year
  • Labor: Not covered for installing replacement parts
  • Conditions: Starts at installation, but no later than 12 months after manufacture; controls and timers carry 1 year; excludes improper installation, neglect, missed maintenance and power-quality damage.
Sound
Not stated in the sources we found
Availability
Active. Current page with no retired notice; in stock at HVACQuick.

Lifebreath’s page for the 205MAX

Not known yet

What we couldn’t confirm from the maker or HVI. Ask the installer, and get it in writing with the quote.

  • The lowest airflow it can run at steadily
  • Whether a CO2 control from another maker is supported
  • How loud it is

Where the maker’s own documents disagree

  • Drain: the 205 MAX spec sheet lists drain connections ('2 - 1/2 in. (12 mm) OD'), while the product page's spec table says 'Drain: No'. Lifebreath's HRV manual describes P-trap drain installation for its HRVs. Not resolved.
  • Included-control conflict inside the spec sheet: the features list says the DXPL03 is included, the electronics section calls the main control optional.

Other sizes and similar units

Other Lifebreath MAX sizes

Other HRVs with similar airflow

Compare them side by side All units

Sources

Certified airflow and efficiency from the HVI directory (exported September 23, 2026), joined to this exact model by its HVI number. The maker’s facts from our review of August 31, 2026 and our research of October 17, 2026. This is product information, not a design: your installer confirms the ducts, room-by-room airflow and controls, then measures the airflow after install.

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