Local Knowledge About Energy Recovery Ventilators

An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is a mechanical system that features a heat exchanger combined with a ventilation system for providing controlled ventilation into a building. An energy recovery ventilator with humidity regulation incorporates a method to remove excess humidity or add humidity to the ventilating air that is being brought into a house. This type of equipment was introduced as "air-to-air" heat exchangers in the colder regions of the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Scandinavia some years ago. In these areas, tightly-built modern houses were developing problems with indoor air quality and excessive humidity during the winter. The air-to-air heat exchanger brought in fresh outside air to combat these problems, and preheated it at the same time. These products are now called heat recovery ventilators or HRVs.