Waywest Mechanical improves indoor air quality in homes and buildings in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. Services include heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), upgraded furnace and air handler filtration, dehumidification and humidity control, and bathroom and kitchen ventilation. These systems reduce condensation, mould risk, odours and indoor pollutants, and help filter wildfire smoke during summer.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Common air quality problems on the Island
Condensation and mould. Long wet winters mean high indoor humidity. Without enough ventilation, moisture collects on windows, in closets on outside walls, and in bathrooms, leading to mould and musty smells.
Stale air in airtight homes. New homes and energy retrofits are built tight to save heat. That is good for bills, but without mechanical ventilation, cooking odours, carbon dioxide and pollutants build up.
Wildfire smoke. Summer smoke from fires on the Island and the mainland can push fine particles indoors for days at a time.
Dust and allergens. Poor filtration, dirty ducts and leaky return ducts drawing from crawlspaces or attics.
Solutions we install
Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs). Continuous, balanced fresh air with most of the heat recovered from the exhaust air. Often the single most effective upgrade for damp, stuffy homes.
Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). Similar to HRVs, but also exchange moisture. Useful in specific homes and climates.
Upgraded filtration. Deeper media filter cabinets on furnaces and air handlers, sized so they filter well without choking airflow.
Dehumidification. Whole-home or crawlspace dehumidifiers where ventilation alone cannot control moisture.
Bathroom and kitchen exhaust. Properly sized and ducted fans that actually vent outside — not into the attic, which is more common than it should be.
Duct repairs. Sealing leaky returns that pull in crawlspace or attic air — see ductwork.
How we approach it
- Find the cause. Condensation, odours and dust each have different fixes. We look at ventilation, humidity, filtration and ductwork before recommending equipment.
- Match the solution to the house. A 1970s rancher and a new airtight build need different answers.
- Install and balance. HRVs and ERVs need their airflows balanced to work properly.
- Show you the maintenance. Filters and HRV cores need regular cleaning to keep working.
HRV and ERV maintenance
An HRV that has never been cleaned moves far less air than it should. Filters should be cleaned every few months, the core washed periodically, and the exterior hoods kept clear. We service existing units and can add this to a maintenance plan.
Service area
Waywest provides indoor air quality solutions in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan and across our Vancouver Island service area.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
What is an HRV and do I need one?
A heat recovery ventilator brings in fresh outdoor air and exhausts stale indoor air, transferring heat between the two streams so little energy is lost. HRVs are standard in many newer, airtight homes and are a strong fix for older homes with condensation, stuffy air or lingering odours.
What is the difference between an HRV and an ERV?
Both exchange stale air for fresh air while recovering heat. An ERV also transfers some moisture between the air streams. On the damp coast an HRV is often the better fit for removing winter humidity, while an ERV can suit homes that feel too dry or have air conditioning in humid conditions.
Why do my windows have condensation every winter?
Winter condensation means indoor humidity is high relative to the cold glass. Cooking, showers, laundry and people all add moisture, and older Island homes often lack enough ventilation to remove it. Balanced ventilation, properly ducted bath fans and dehumidification all help.
Can my furnace or heat pump filter wildfire smoke?
A ducted system with a higher-efficiency filter can reduce fine smoke particles indoors when the fan circulates air continuously and windows are kept closed. The filter rack and blower must suit the filter chosen, since a very restrictive filter can reduce airflow.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.