Heat Recovery Ventilators are mechanical ventilation systems designed to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while transferring heat between the two air streams. An HRV uses a network of ducts and a heat‐exchange core to capture thermal energy (typically wasted) from the exhaust air and transfer it to the incoming air, reducing heating and cooling loads and improving indoor air quality.
In residential settings, HRVs are typically sized for single‐family homes and installed in attics, basements, or utility rooms to serve the home with fresh air. They run continuously or on timers to maintain balanced airflow and humidity control. In a commercial application, larger HRV units may integrate with rooftop HVAC systems, serving open‐plan offices or retail spaces where frequent air changes are required. Unlike energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), HRVs transfer only sensible heat, making them ideal in cold climates where moisture transfer is less critical.