What is the primary use of an energy recovery ventilator?

The primary use of an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is to recover energy from exhaust air and use it to condition incoming fresh air. This process significantly enhances the efficiency of HVAC systems by transferring heat and moisture between the outgoing and incoming air streams. In colder months, an ERV can capture warm, stale air being expelled from the building and use its heat to warm the incoming fresh air, thereby reducing the energy required to heat that air to a comfortable temperature. Conversely, in warmer months, it can help to cool incoming hot air by utilizing the cooler air being expelled from the building.

By effectively utilizing the thermal energy from the conditioned space, energy recovery ventilators help in maintaining a comfortable indoor climate while minimizing energy costs, making them a vital component in modern energy-efficient building designs. This process directly correlates with saving energy and preventing heat loss or gain, which contributes to improved overall building efficiency.