Choosing the proper Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for your ventilation needs is easier now that the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) has developed and published new performance ratings. HRVs and ERVs are certified for airflow performance, as well as for effectiveness of transferring heat or energy, for easy comparison.
To assess product efficiency as part of the energy model for the whole home, the Adjusted Sensible Recovery Efficiency (ASRE) and the Adjusted Total Recovery Efficiency (ATRE) metrics were developed by HVI in cooperation with independent testing laboratories. ASRE and ATRE are similar to the Sensible Recovery Efficiency (SRE) and Total Recovery Efficiency (TRE), respectively, which are commonly used to compare products on a level playing field. The higher the rating, the more efficient the product.
In the past, energy raters and modeling software used Sensible Recovery Efficiency (SRE) that included the HRV and ERV fan energy in the energy performance data. The new metric, ASRE, is intended to be utilized where the energy modeling software accounts for HRV and ERV fan or blower energy as a separate input. This results in a more accurate assessment of the ventilator system energy performance, showing the benefits of balanced heat and energy recovery ventilation during the heating season. Similarly, ATRE should be utilized in modeling of the cooling season energy recovery performance.
HVI-Certified product performance ratings for HRVs and ERVs are available online at www.hvicertified.org. Be sure to compare ratings as part of your decision-making process when selecting an HRV or ERV for your next residential project.
The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) is the champion of healthy indoor air, working to advance and promote dependable ventilation practices through product certification, consumer education, and codes and standards participation. Trust HVI as your source for fair and credible comparisons of product performance.
