HRV vs. ERV: The Differences
HRV or ERV? Both bring fresh outdoor air into your home and send stale air out, while recovering heat so you are not heating the outdoors. The difference is moisture: an ERV also moves humidity between the two air streams. Here is how to pick the right one for an Ontario home, from Bison Air.
- ✓ Authorized dealer for Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Bosch, Amana and AirQuest
- ✓ Registered HRSP rebate contractor
- ✓ TSSA-certified gas technicians, licensed and insured
🔄 How Each One Works
| HRV (heat recovery ventilator) | ERV (energy recovery ventilator) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh air | Yes | Yes |
| Recovers heat | Yes | Yes |
| Moves moisture | No: exhaust humidity goes outside | Yes: keeps some humidity in winter and some out in summer |
| Winter effect | Helps dry out a humid house | Helps keep a dry house from getting drier |
| Summer effect | Brings in outdoor humidity | Brings in less outdoor humidity |
🏠 Which One Fits Your Home?
| Your home | Usually the better fit |
|---|---|
| Window condensation, musty basement, high winter humidity | HRV |
| Large family, lots of cooking and showers | HRV |
| Very dry winter air, static shocks, cracked wood floors | ERV |
| New, very airtight home with central AC | ERV |
| Home with a whole-home humidifier you want to work less | ERV |
Either unit should be balanced (equal supply and exhaust airflow) after installation. An unbalanced ventilator wastes energy and can pressurize or depressurize the house.
🛠️ What Installation Involves
- ✓ Two wall penetrations outside: fresh air intake and exhaust, kept apart
- ✓ Ductwork to bathrooms and kitchen for exhaust, or tied into the furnace ductwork
- ✓ Condensate drain (HRV) and an electrical connection
- ✓ Airflow balancing with a flow measuring station
- ✓ Filter cleaning every few months; core cleaning once a year
💡 Dry air in winter but your home is not airtight? A whole-home humidifier may be the simpler fix. See humidifier installation.
🔗 Related Guides & Services
- ✓ HRV & ERV Installation
- ✓ Indoor Air Quality
- ✓ How a Humidifier Works
- ✓ Humidifier Installation
- ✓ Whole-Home Air Purifiers
- ✓ New Construction HVAC
- ✓ IAQ & Accessories
- ✓ HVAC Financing
🌬️ Get an HRV or ERV Quote
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