An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) or Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is an air to air energy exchanger found in modern, energy efficient homes. Due to the tight construction of new homes, your home can no longer “breathe” on its own. An ERV or HRV allows for fresh air exchange by exhausting stale indoor air and supplying an equal volume of fresh air from outside, ensuring high quality indoor air year-round.
An HRV will transfer a high percentage of heat to the cooler air stream lessening the load on your heating and cooling appliances. HRV’s can help mitigate high indoor humidity during the cooler winter months of the year by exchanging the humid indoor air with the drier air from outside.
An ERV will transfer a high percentage of heat as well as moisture, to the cooler, drier air stream lessening the load on your heating and cooling appliances. Ideal for environments with high outdoor humidity and a drier indoor environment.
| HRV | ERV | |
| Provides fresh indoor air while reclaiming the heat in winter months | Yes | Yes |
| Removes humidity with the exhausting air in winter months | Yes | No |
| Transfers outgoing humidity to the incoming air in winter months | No | Yes |
| Transfer incoming humidity to the exhausting air in summer months | No | Yes |
The best way to configure the installation for an ERV or HRV is to create a dedicated system of ducts to exhaust stale air from problem areas (bathrooms, kitchens) and bring in fresh are to common areas (bedrooms, living rooms). While this is preferred, it is often impossible especially in a retro-fit situation. The most common, and simpler installation is accomplished by connecting the HRV/ERV supply and exhaust ductwork directly to the return air duct of the home’s existing forced air heating and cooling system.
For more information on mechanical means of ventilation for a tightly built home, give us a call 416-668-4607 or email info@davesducts.com
