An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) is a mechanical ventilation system that exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, improving indoor air quality while simultaneously transferring both heat and moisture between the two air streams. Through a specialized enthalpy core, an ERV captures sensible heat and latent humidity from the exhaust air and imparts it to the incoming air, helping to maintain comfortable temperature and humidity levels indoors and reducing the load on heating and cooling equipment.
In residential applications, ERVs are often installed in basements, attics, or utility closets, serving bedrooms, living spaces, and kitchens with balanced supply and exhaust airflow. They run continuously or on demand to control humidity and prevent condensation in humid climates. In commercial buildings, larger ERV modules may be integrated with rooftop or packaged HVAC systems to support high-occupancy areas such as conference rooms, classrooms, or retail environments. Unlike a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), which only transfers sensible heat, an ERV’s moisture exchange makes it particularly valuable in regions where both cooling-season dehumidification and wintertime humidity retention are important for indoor comfort and mold prevention.
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