Technical Foundation
What Is a Heat Energy Recovery Ventilator?
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is a balanced mechanical ventilation system that continuously exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while recovering a portion of the energy that would otherwise be lost, passing incoming and outgoing airstreams through a core without mixing them. An HRV transfers only sensible heat, making it well suited to colder, drier climates; an ERV also transfers moisture (latent heat) between airstreams via an enthalpy core, which is preferred in humid climates to avoid over-drying incoming winter air or importing excess humidity in summer.
Sizing is based on required continuous CFM to meet ventilation code (typically tied to building volume and occupancy) rather than peak heating/cooling load, since these units run continuously rather than cycling like an HVAC system. Core recovery efficiency, expressed as a percentage of sensible or total energy recovered, directly affects the pre-conditioning benefit delivered to incoming air and should be balanced against the unit's static pressure drop and fan power draw.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery Type | HRV (sensible only), ERV (sensible + latent/moisture) | ERV suits humid climates by managing moisture transfer; HRV suits cold, dry climates |
| CFM Rating | Continuous rating, sized to code ventilation requirement | Based on building volume/occupancy, not peak HVAC load, since units run continuously |
| Core Type | Fixed-plate, rotary (enthalpy wheel) | Rotary wheels typically achieve higher total recovery efficiency but add a moving part |
| Recovery Efficiency | Manufacturer-rated sensible/total % | Higher efficiency reduces the heating/cooling load imposed on the building's HVAC system |
| Static Pressure / Ducting | Rated external static pressure | Must be matched to actual duct run length and diffuser count to hit rated CFM |
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Applications
Where Heat Energy Recovery Ventilators Get Used
HRV and ERV units are specified anywhere continuous fresh-air ventilation is required without the full energy penalty of unconditioned makeup air.
Residential New Construction & Retrofit
Whole-house HRV/ERV units providing code-required continuous fresh air ventilation in tightly sealed homes.
Multi-Family & Apartment Buildings
Individual or central ERV units ventilating dwelling units without the energy penalty of unconditioned makeup air.
Commercial & Institutional Buildings
Larger rooftop or ducted HRV/ERV units supporting code-required outdoor air in office, school and institutional buildings.
Passive House & High-Performance Construction
High-efficiency HRV/ERV units central to meeting passive house ventilation and energy targets.
Indoor Air Quality Retrofits
ERV/HRV retrofits added to existing buildings to improve fresh air exchange without increasing heating/cooling costs.
FAQ
Heat Energy Recovery Ventilators Questions, Answered
Should I choose an HRV or an ERV?
HRVs transfer only sensible heat and are generally preferred in cold, dry climates where retaining winter humidity indoors isn't a concern. ERVs also transfer moisture via an enthalpy core, which is preferred in humid climates to avoid pulling in excess summer humidity or over-drying already-dry winter air, and in mixed climates that see both conditions seasonally.
How is CFM sized for an HRV or ERV?
CFM is sized to meet continuous ventilation code requirements based on building volume, floor area and occupancy — not peak heating or cooling load — since these units are designed to run continuously rather than cycle on demand like an HVAC system. Local ventilation codes (such as ASHRAE 62.2 for residential) typically specify the calculation method.
What does core recovery efficiency mean, and how much does it matter?
Recovery efficiency is the percentage of energy from the outgoing exhaust airstream that's transferred to the incoming fresh airstream before it reaches the building's HVAC system, directly reducing the heating or cooling load that fresh air imposes. Higher-efficiency cores cost more but pay back faster in climates with larger indoor-outdoor temperature differentials.
How often do HRV/ERV cores and filters need maintenance?
Filters typically need cleaning or replacement every 3-6 months depending on air quality, and the core itself should be inspected annually for dust buildup or, on enthalpy wheels, moving-part wear, since a fouled core loses recovery efficiency and can restrict airflow below its rated CFM.
Can an HRV/ERV replace my furnace or air conditioner?
No — these units are ventilation equipment, exchanging stale air for fresh air with partial energy recovery; they don't provide primary heating or cooling capacity and are installed alongside, not instead of, a building's HVAC system.
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