Quickscrews
Quickscrews Cabinet Install Screws
Built for strength and precision, Quickscrews Cabinet Install Screws are the go-to choice for professional cabinet installers. Designed specifically for cabi...
$169
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What Are HRVs and ERVs?
The main purpose and use of an HRV or ERV are to provide passive homes (and other improperly ventilated homes) with a ventilation system that takes away stale, humid air and delivers fresh air into the home. These ingenious mechanical devices have the ability to separate the different “types” of air in your home and thus bring in fresh air while also expelling the stale air that accumulates in your home along with the toxins, humidity, and other common indoor air pollutants.
During the winter, these devices can “capture” some of the warm air in your home, transfer that warm air into the fresh air it pulls from the outside, and thus recover the warm air that would have otherwise been lost. HRVs and ERVs can increase the heating efficiency of a home built under the Passivhaus standards.
An ERV also has the ability to utilize enthalpy transfer, which is a fancy way of saying that it allows for moisture transfer between the two different air streams utilized in the ventilation process. When outside humidity is high, this device reduces the amount of moisture that can enter your home.
Do I Need an HRV or ERV?
When choosing between an HRV and an ERV for your passive home, the following guidelines are important to follow:
- Small homes in cold climates should opt for an HRV.
- Large homes in a cold climate should choose and ERV.
- In hot and humid climates, an ERV will be more economical and energy-efficient than an HRV, especially during summer.
- In climates with a mixture of hot and cold, either an HRV or ERV is suitable.
Our Top Picks for Passive House Worthy HRVs & ERVs
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Broan HRV 250 TE
Broan offers a wide range of ventilation products, including HRVs and ERVs. The HRV 250 TE is a unique HRV designed specifically for mid to large size homes. This HRV works great for frigid climates as it reportedly has a 66% heat recovery efficiency when the outside temperature is -13 degrees Fahrenheit. The 18 W electricity consumption also makes this an energy-efficient HRV option.
Renew Aire EV 130
Renew Aire brings several different ERV models designed for both residential homes and commercial buildings. One of the top products offered by Renew Aire is the EV 130, which has an airflow range of 50-140 CFM. The EV 130 also comes with a low voltage circuit for controls.
Lifebreath 30 ERV
Lifebreath is another company also offering a wide range of ERVs and HRVs. The aluminum core integrated into its products is so durable that the company offers a limited lifetime warranty on the products they manufacture. The 30 ERV offered by this company is one of the most compact ERVs on the market and is a great option for people looking to ventilate and maximize the efficiency of a passive home.
Rise Writer
Expert. Practical. Sustainable.
Article by
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
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