A type of air-to-air heat exchanger that not only transfers sensible heat but also latent heat.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) from BROAN are typically recommended for use in warmer climates where it is desired to remove humidity from incoming fresh air. While not a dehumidifier, ERV systems transfer moisture from incoming, humid air to the stale indoor air that is being vented to the outside. Residential balanced ventilation systems introduce fresh air alone, or include Heat Recovery (HRV) or Energy Recovery (ERV) features. Select the unit that best matches the square footage requirements of your home or small office. The purpose of an HRV or an ERV is to deliver fresh air to a home’s interior. Neither appliance is designed to provide makeup air for combustion appliances or kitchen exhaust fans. HRVs and ERVs are not space-heating devices, heat-delivery devices, or energy-saving devices. The best way to duct an HRV or an ERV is always to use dedicated ventilation ductwork, separate from the forced-air ductwork. Ideally the exhaust air is pulled from the bathrooms or laundry room and the fresh air is supplied to your bedrooms and living room. Any other ducting method is inferior. A balanced ventilation system with an HRV or an ERV is the preferred ventilation system for a Passivhaus building. Although balanced ventilation systems are expensive to install, they have the lowest operating cost of any ventilation option — assuming, of course, that the designer or installer hasn’t made any blunders. The best way to duct an HRV or an ERV is always to use dedicated ventilation ductwork, separate from the forced-air ductwork. Ideally the exhaust air is pulled from the bathrooms or laundry room and the fresh air is supplied to your bedrooms and living room. Any other ducting method is inferior. HRV and ERV-Why choose a ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator). An energy recovery ventilator system (ERV) fits in colder climates, in the homes where there is no excess moisture in heating season, as well as for homes located in warmer climates where the outside humidity level is high. As for the HRV system, the ERV system recovers heat; however, it also recuperates the energy trapped in moisture, which greatly improves the overall recovery efficiency. In air conditioned homes, when it is more humid outside than inside, the ERV system limits the amount of moisture coming into your home. Maintaining indoor air quality is vital to the health and well-being of a building's occupants. An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) allows fresh air into a building, while retaining pre-conditioned heating or cooling. Let me better explain. The air-streams actually switch temperatures; the 70°F becomes 0ºF, and the 0ºF becomes 70°F. This is the core theory behind Energy Recovery AKA -- Air Exchange. An ERV operates on the basis of this air-to-air exchange theory. A spinning wheel, or stationary core device utilizes the counter-flow of air to remove the stale air from inside a building, while retaining air temperature An energy recovery ventilator (also abbreviated ERV) is a type of air-to-air heat exchanger that not only transfers sensible heat but also latent heat. Because both temperature and moisture are transferred, ERVs can be considered total enthalpic devices. The benefit of using energy recovery is the ability to meet the ASHRAE ventilation & energy standards, while improving indoor air quality and reducing total HVAC equipment capacity. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is a type of mechanical equipment that features a heat exchanger combined with a ventilation system for providing controlled ventilation into a building.  The efficiency of an ERV system is the ratio of energy transferred between the two air streams compared with the total energy transported through the heat exchanger. With the variety of products on the market, efficiency is unquestionably going to vary from product to product. The benefit of using energy recovery is the ability to meet the ASHRAE ventilation & energy standards, while improving indoor air quality and reducing total HVAC equipment capacity.
http://www.broan.com/products/lifestyle/hrv-or-erv-whats-the-difference-bf711e80-2043-41a0-bf21-98542b29a2d0 http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/hrv-or-erv http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/hrv-or-erv http://www.venmar.ca/22-detail-advice-hrv-and-erv-why-choose-a-erv-energy-recovery-ventilator-.html http://blog.micrometl.com/what-is-an-erv-energy-recovery-how-does-erv-work/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_recovery_ventilation http://energyrecoveryvent.sustainablesources.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_recovery_ventilation
what is an erv