Quick answer
Brings in fresh air while recovering energy from outgoing air.
An ERV or HRV ventilates a home by exchanging stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air, while transferring most of the heat (and, for an ERV, moisture) between the two streams. This delivers fresh air without throwing away the heating or cooling you've already paid for.
Why ERV/HRV matters
Indoor-air terms connect comfort to health-related basics like filtration, humidity, and ventilation. The right solution depends on airflow and the whole HVAC system, not just one add-on product.
When you'll see this term
You will usually hear this term when discussing dust, allergies, humidity, odors, ventilation, filters, and whole-home indoor-air upgrades.
Questions to ask your technician
- Will this improve air quality without restricting airflow?
- Does my current system support this upgrade?
- How should it be maintained after installation?
Go deeper
Indoor air quality basics