HRV vs ERV: Which Suits a Squamish Home?
An HRV transfers heat only; an ERV transfers heat and some moisture. Both bring fresh air into a tight home and recover energy. Which fits depends on how your home handles humidity.
An HRV (heat recovery ventilator) and an ERV (energy recovery ventilator) do the same core job: they bring fresh outdoor air into a tightly sealed home and exhaust stale air, while recovering most of the energy that would otherwise be lost. The difference is what they transfer, and that is what decides which suits a given home.
The core difference
An HRV transfers heat only between the outgoing and incoming air streams. An ERV transfers heat and some moisture. In practice, an ERV can help keep indoor humidity steadier, holding some moisture in during dry spells and shedding some during humid ones, while an HRV simply tempers the fresh air.
Why it matters in the Sea to Sky
Modern, well-sealed homes need mechanical fresh air; they no longer leak enough on their own. In our cool, damp climate, an HRV is a common and dependable choice, and an ERV can make sense where humidity swings are a concern. Either way, the unit is only as good as its ducting.
What to check
- That the home actually has balanced supply and exhaust ducting for the unit.
- That intake and exhaust terminations are far enough apart to avoid short-circuiting.
- That runs are insulated where needed so they do not sweat or drip.
- That the system was commissioned and balanced, not just installed.
When to call a sheet metal contractor
Whichever unit you choose, the ducting has to be laid out, sealed, and balanced to work. I install and correct HRV and ERV ducting (the supply, exhaust, and fresh-air runs) so the system delivers the fresh air it promises without wasting energy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should a Squamish home use an HRV or an ERV?
Both work well in the Sea to Sky, and either needs balanced, sealed ducting to perform. An HRV transfers heat only and is a common, straightforward choice for our cool, damp climate; an ERV also moves some moisture, which can help a very dry or very humid home stay balanced. The right pick depends on the specific home, so it is worth confirming with whoever supplies the unit.