By Anne Fonda
An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is a mechanical ventilation system that connects to your HVAC system to bring in fresh outdoor air and replace stale indoor air. In addition, it provides humidity control for enhanced comfort.
An energy recovery ventilation system has two fans and two air streams. One fan blows stale air to the outside while the other draws fresh air in. Whether coming or going, the air passes through the crossflow energy transfer core.
During the process, an ERV uses a heat exchanger to recover any residual heat left in the furnace exhaust or air handler exhaust in the winter, warming the outside air before bringing it into the HVAC system.
In summer, it cools down fresh air being brought in before sending it through your HVAC system. This heat recovery can help reduce the energy your HVAC system uses to heat or cool your home. That can mean reduced energy consumption and lower energy bills.
In addition, ERVs provide enhanced comfort by providing humidity control. The unit recovers both heat and moisture from the outgoing air during cold weather, making your home feel warmer without raising the temperature. During hot, humid weather, it pre-cools and dehumidifies incoming air, making your home feel cooler without lowering the temperature.
Learn more about how to change home humidity to enhance comfort.
Maybe, maybe not. If you have a newer home that is well-insulated, but the air sometimes feels stale and odors linger, you could probably improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) by installing an ERV. You could also reduce your energy consumption. They’re especially helpful in extremely humid or cold climates.
If you live in a mild climate where you can regularly open the windows for natural ventilation, you may not achieve much benefit from an ERV.
While an ERV exchanges both air and humidity, an HRV only recovers heat. Both products offer types of balanced ventilation to help a home with a tight envelope “breathe.”
The Trane Energy Recovery Ventilator can be an excellent solution for tightly sealed homes as well as homes in areas with hot and humid weather and cold winters. This system can run independently of your HVAC system as well, meaning it can help dehumidify the air even when the AC is not running.
It can help prevent:
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), most energy recovery ventilation systems can recover 70-80% of the heat energy in the indoor air and transfer it to the incoming fresh air. This leads to increased energy efficiency and energy savings, ultimately saving you money on your energy bills.
Learn more about whole-house ventilation systems and how they work.
A whole-house ventilation system should only be installed by a licensed HVAC professional. This will help ensure the job is done correctly and give you warranty coverage. Trane’s ERV can be controlled at the unit’s control panel, via your smart thermostat, or the Trane Home App.
Both ERVs and HRVs require regular maintenance, including changing the air filter, inspecting the heat exchanger, cleaning the fans, and checking for any issues with the unit. Your HVAC technician can check your ventilation system in addition to providing an AC tune-up in the spring and a heat pump or furnace tune-up in the fall.
In addition to helping you find the right heating and air conditioning solutions, your local Trane dealer can help you decide if a whole-house ventilation system is worthwhile for your home.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality
Learn about indoor air quality – what it is and how to improve it for your family’s health and the health of your HVAC system.
A ventilator is an extra component that can work with your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to provide a higher level of comfort.
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