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| Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: The information and recommendations provided are believed to be accurate and reliable. It should not be assumed, however, that all responsive information has been provided or that additional information may not be relevant under certain circumstances or conditions. HVI assumes no responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of information, materials, processes, or techniques described, and it makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation whatsoever as to the absolute validity or sufficiency of any information provided. HVI does not approve or endorse any specific products.
Every home needs ventilation to protect people from unhealthy indoor pollutants and to protect the building from excess moisture and heat. See the benefits of residential ventilation and view a list of common indoor pollutants.
The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) is a nonprofit association of the manufacturers of residential ventilating products.
HVI offers a variety of services including-but not limited to-test procedures, certification and verification programs for airflow and sound, energy performance for heat recovery ventilators, and market support. HVI conducts regular meetings to discuss common industry issues. HVI is NOT a manufacturer.
How does having an HVI-Certified product make a difference? HVI-Certified products have the actual airflow (cfm) labeled on the fan, not an exaggerated claim, because the cfm has been independently tested according to industry-approved procedures. Also, HVI certification is required for participation in the US EPA’s Energy Star Program and for compliance with various state requirements.
No. Through a Certified Ratings Program, HVI provides a voluntary means for the residential ventilation manufacturers to report comparable and creditable product performance information based upon uniformly applied testing procedures performed by independent laboratories. Together these activities help to promote the health and growth of the home ventilation industry while providing consumers with valuable information and confidence in their choices.
How do I know if a product is HVI-Certified? The HVI label on certified products is your assurance that the certified air flow and sound ratings for your ventilation equipment are the results of tests performed by an independent laboratory. For a list of HVI-Certified Products, Manufacturers, and Brand Names, visit the HVI-Certified Products Directory section on this website. HVI updates the HVI-Certified Products Directory monthly.
What types of products are tested? A wide range of home ventilating products are tested including bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen range hoods, downdraft kitchen exhausters, fresh air inlets, heat and energy recovery ventilators, inline fans, integrated supply and exhaust fans, powered attic ventilators, remote exterior mounted ventilators, static vents for attics and crawlspaces, and whole-house comfort ventilators.
There are a variety of tests for air flow, noise level, and energy efficiency.
Does HVI offer a publication with ventilating information? Yes, the HVI Fresh Ideas - The Guide to Home Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality offers essential specifications, explanations, and tips about home ventilation.
Do you know where specific ventilation products or models can be purchased? No. HVI is an association for residential ventilation manufacturers. HVI tests, certifies, and publishes residential ventilation product airflow, sound, or efficiency ratings. HVI does not manufacture or distribute products, however HVI Member companies contact information can be found in the HVI-Certified Products Directory on this website.
When looking for information about a specific product, what information can HVI provide? When seeking information regarding specific products, the manufacturer is the best resource. HVI is an air flow and sound testing, certification, and trade association, not a manufacturer. If you have questions regarding who manufactures certain products, HVI can assist you with obtaining that information, provided you have a model number.
A sone is an internationally recognized measurement of sound output. Sones translate decibel ratings into numbers that correspond to the way people sense loudness. Ventilating fan sound levels are measured in sones.
Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) bring in fresh air from the outdoors while exhausting stale air from the home, thus creating a balanced pressure system. For more details, see page 12 of the HVI Fresh Ideas - The Guide to Home Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality.
Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) will modify the humidity content of the fresh air through the transfer of water vapor from one air stream to the other when bringing in fresh air from the outdoors and exhausting stale air from the home, thus creating a balanced pressure system. For more details, see page 12 of HVI Fresh Ideas - The Guide to Home Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality
How can I determine the appropriate replacement for an older fan? The model number, brand named, or manufacturer name coupled with the information on the HVI Tested/Certified sticker can be matched to current HVI-Certified products. Sometimes this information has worn off or was not on the fan in the first place, especially if the fan is more than 10 years old; if so, the fan will then need to be replaced with a new model that is suitable. Consult the How Much Ventilation Do I Need? article from the 2006 HVI Fresh Ideas - The Guide to Home Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality for assistance in determining how much airflow (cfm) is appropriate for the room you wish to ventilate. There is also an HVI-Certified Products Directory that lists manufacturers of HVI-Certified products with their specifications.
How do I calculate the proper airflow for a particular room that needs to be ventilated? Consult the How Much Ventilation Do I Need? article from the 2006 HVI Fresh Ideas - The Guide to Home Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality for assistance in determining how much airflow (cfm) is appropriate for the room you wish to ventilate. There is also an HVI-Certified Products Directory that lists manufacturers of HVI-Certified products with their specifications.
Do you provide instructions on how to install fans or other ventilation products? HVI does not have any information on installing specific products. Contact the manufacturer of the fan for installation instructions. HVI recommends that bath fans and range hoods be ducted to the outside.
Is there a test that can be conducted inside a house by which proper ventilation can be determined? We do not know of any type of test to determine proper airflow in a house. Consult the How Much Ventilation Do I Need? article from the 2006 HVI Fresh Ideas - The Guide to Home Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality for assistance in determining how much airflow (cfm) is appropriate for the room you wish to ventilate. Also, there is an HVI-Certified Products Directory that lists manufacturers of HVI-Certified products with their specifications. With proper ventilation, you should be able to prevent mold and moisture damage.
How do I find the most efficient HRV/ERV for my home? When selecting the most appropriate Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), several parameters that should be considered, such as recovery efficiency, airflow capacity, electricity consumption, etc. Section 3 in the HVI-Certified Product Directory presents all the certified data for HRVs and ERVs. The directory is updated monthly and is available for download from this website at http://www.hvi.org/resourcelibrary/proddirectory.html. The HVI-Certified ratings are obtained form tests performed in independent third party labs, using industry accepted methods of tests. Individual products can be compared according to their real performance.
Can a bathroom fan be too powerful? HVI offers an easy reference guide for bathroom ventilation. While there are no immediate safety issues associated with too much ventilation, it is always best to use only the recommended amount for each room.
What are the three ventilation strategies for home ventilation?
What does the HVI-Certification program entail?
Who created the test procedures?
When having a new house built, what is important for the contractor to know?
How does a company become a member of HVI?
What accredited labs does HVI currently use?
HRV's, ERV's, and Integrated Supply and Exhaust Ventilator Testing is quoted and performed through the following third-party lab:
What are the test laboratory accreditation requirements for lab testing products that receive HVI certification?
Test results are presented to HVI Members, HVI Engineering Committee, and the HVI Board in a meeting; a motion is made to accredit the lab, whereby the lab will be approved if there is a unanimous vote. |