ERVs

Energy Recovery Ventilator

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) are sisters to Heat Recovery Ventilators and are capable of recovering both heating AND cooling energy as well as maintaining humidity levels in buildings.

How does an ERV work?

The incoming fresh air is tempered with a heat or energy recovery core. Heat is exchanged through a core that is frequently made of multiple plates of aluminum or plastic. Water vapor is transferred with a rotating wheel with desiccant material or permeable plates.

What is the difference between an HRV and an ERV?

Models with heat recovery only (HRV) transfer heat from the exhaust air stream to the incoming air stream in the heating season and from the incoming air stream to the exhaust air stream in the air conditioning season. Models with heat recovery and moisture recovery (ERV) transfer heat and moisture from the exhaust airstream to the incoming air stream during the heating season, and transfer heat and water vapor from the incoming air stream to the exhaust air stream during the air conditioning season. They are called ERVs because there is a lot of energy held in water vapor and by recovering humidity as well as temperature ERVs capture more energy.

The following diagram shows the inside of an UltimateAir “Recouperator” ERV.

Energetechs can help you decide whether you need an HRV or an ERV for your project. We are authorized dealers for:

• Venmar- HRV’s and ERV’s  (CLICK HERE to visit their website)
• UltimateAir-ERV’s (CLICK HERE to visit their website)

CONTACT US – Energetechs, Inc., – ph.