A ventilation system is a mechanical setup designed to provide fresh air to indoor spaces while removing stale air, maintaining air quality, and regulating temperature and humidity. It ensures a healthy and comfortable environment by controlling pollutants, odors, and moisture. Common in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, these systems balance energy efficiency with indoor air quality (IAQ) requirements, often integrating with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Ventilation systems can incorporate energy recovery ventilation (ERV) or heat recovery ventilation (HRV), both of which enhance efficiency by recovering energy from exhaust air to precondition incoming fresh air. While similar, they serve distinct purposes:

• Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV): HRVs transfer heat between outgoing and incoming air streams using a heat exchanger. In winter, the system captures heat from warm exhaust air to preheat cold incoming air, reducing heating costs. In summer, it can work in reverse, cooling incoming air with cooler exhaust air. HRVs focus solely on sensible heat (temperature) transfer, making them ideal in climates with significant temperature differences. They are effective for maintaining thermal comfort while minimizing energy loss, typically recovering 60-85% of heat.
• Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV): ERVs go beyond heat transfer by exchanging both sensible heat and latent energy (moisture). Using an energy recovery core, ERVs transfer heat and humidity between air streams. In humid climates, they reduce moisture in incoming air, easing the load on air conditioning. In dry climates, they add moisture to incoming air, improving comfort. ERVs are more versatile in regions with varying humidity levels, typically recovering 50-75% of total energy (heat and moisture combined).

Key Differences:

• Moisture Transfer: HRVs transfer only heat, while ERVs transfer both heat and moisture, making ERVs better suited for humidity control.
• Climate Suitability: HRVs excel in cold, dry climates where temperature regulation is the priority. ERVs are preferred in humid or mixed climates where moisture management is critical.
• Energy Efficiency: ERVs generally recover more total energy due to moisture transfer, but HRVs may be more cost-effective in climates where humidity control is less critical.
• Applications: HRVs are common in colder regions (e.g., northern Europe, Canada), while ERVs are favored in humid areas (e.g., southeastern U.S., tropical climates).

Both systems improve IAQ and reduce energy costs, but the choice depends on climate, building needs, and humidity control requirements. ERVs offer broader functionality, while HRVs are simpler and often more affordable for heat-focused applications. Browse through our line of products all made in Canada.