Balanced ventilation
HRV & ERV fresh-air ventilation
Tightly built homes trap odors, humidity and chemical fumes. A heat or energy recovery ventilator brings in fresh air without throwing away the energy you paid to heat or cool it.
Quick answer
An HRV or ERV exhausts stale indoor air and brings in an equal amount of fresh outdoor air, passing both streams through a core that recovers heat. An ERV also transfers moisture. Breathe Clean Services installs HRV or ERV systems for $3,495, including installation, and helps you choose the right one for your climate.
Quick match
HRV or ERV? Start here.
Pick the description that fits your home. We’ll confirm on your free assessment.
What are your winters and summers like?
Pick the option closest to your home.
Compare
HRV vs. ERV at a glance
| Feature | HRV (Heat Recovery) | ERV (Energy Recovery) |
|---|---|---|
| What it transfers | Sensible heat (temperature only) | Sensible and latent heat (temperature and moisture) |
| Core material | Non-permeable aluminum or plastic | Semi-permeable paper or polymer membrane |
| Best climate | Cold, dry winters where keeping heat is the priority | Humid, mixed or dry climates that need humidity balanced |
| Winter humidity effect | Can dry indoor air further | Keeps moisture indoors so air doesn’t get too dry |
| Summer humidity effect | Tempers air only; doesn’t block humidity | Sends incoming humidity out with the exhaust, easing AC load |
How they work
HRV: Warm, stale air passes through channels in the core and warms the cold fresh air coming in. The core blocks water vapor, so cold regions often need a condensate drain.
ERV: A vapor-permeable core lets moisture move toward the drier airstream. In winter it keeps humidity inside; in summer it rejects outdoor humidity through the exhaust.
Fresh-Air Ventilation
Heat or Energy Recovery Ventilator (HRV / ERV)
Swaps stale indoor air for filtered outdoor air while keeping most of your heating and cooling.
- Balanced: equal stale air out and fresh air in
- Flushes odors, humidity and VOCs from tight homes
- Push-button control with two fan speeds
- We help you pick HRV or ERV for your climate
Health and comfort
Fresh air throughout the home, tempered before it reaches your rooms.
Fights VOCs
Flushes odors, humidity and chemical fumes that build up in tight homes.
Balanced exchange
Equal air in and out, with heat (and moisture, for ERVs) recovered.
Easy control
Push-button airflow, supply and exhaust settings with two fan speeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an HRV and an ERV?
Both swap stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air and recover heat. An HRV transfers heat only. An ERV transfers heat and moisture, so it helps keep winter air from getting too dry and pushes summer humidity back outside.
Which one should I choose?
Choose an HRV for a persistently cold region where indoor air tends to run humid and needs moisture vented out. Choose an ERV for mixed, hot-humid or dry climates and for tightly sealed modern homes. Many building-science sources now treat the ERV as the more universal choice.
Does an HRV need a drain?
Often, yes. Because an HRV core blocks water vapor, it can need a condensate drain in cold regions where frost or condensation builds up.
Ready to breathe cleaner air at home?
Book a free in-home air assessment. We inspect your HVAC system, look at your family’s needs, and give you a clear, installed price before any work starts.
Or call 801-823-1399 · All prices include professional installation by certified HVAC installers.