Air Quality & Ductwork
What Is a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)?
An HRV exchanges fresh outdoor air for stale indoor air while transferring heat between the two streams, recovering much of the energy that simple exhaust ventilation would waste. Unlike an ERV, it transfers heat only and does not move moisture between the streams.
Also called: HRV · heat recovery ventilator
Why it matters to you
HRVs are the better fit in heating-dominated climates, where recovering heat matters and the incoming air is dry. In a humid coastal climate an ERV is usually the more appropriate choice, because summer ventilation brings in moisture an HRV does nothing to moderate.
What to do about it
If you are being quoted a ventilator, ask which type it is and why that type was chosen for this climate. Both need their cores and filters cleaned on a schedule to keep delivering rated airflow.
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