Heat recovery ventilators

How heat recovery ventilators work

Separate air streams exchange heat across a core without deliberately transferring moisture.

Performance in a real building depends on the equipment, the distribution path and the installation. Compare a specific product's published specifications with the needs of the room or building before treating a retail listing as a complete solution.

Types and configurations

Central ducted HRVs and compact room-based units.

Different configurations can share a category name while having very different electrical, duct, piping and control requirements. Confirm the exact model and components included in any quote.

Where they are used

Homes needing balanced ventilation in suitable climates. A professional assessment should establish the required capacity and identify any site constraints, especially for permanently installed equipment.

What to compare

Compare certified airflow and heat-recovery performance at realistic operating conditions, frost strategy and condensate handling.

Airflow balance, efficiency, condensate, and maintenance. Review warranty conditions and installation requirements along with the headline rating.

Technical details that matter

A heat recovery ventilator transfers sensible heat between outgoing and incoming air while keeping the air streams separate. It is primarily a ventilation device and does not substitute for heating, cooling or a pollutant source-control strategy. Cold-weather installations need attention to frost control and drainage.

Example application

Compare airflow at realistic duct resistance, core efficiency, sound and filter access. An oversized unit operated at poor settings may be less useful than a properly balanced smaller one.

Installation and ownership

Allow for equipment, compatible components, labor, controls, site work and any local requirements in the total cost. Published retailer prices represent the stated equipment only unless the listing explicitly includes more.

Clean the heat-exchange core and replace filters as specified.

Source

US DOE Building Science: Energy Recovery Ventilation ↗

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