A HRV (heat recovery ventilation) unit exchanges only the sensible energy (heat measured by a thermometer) of the incoming and outgoing air streams. A HRV uses an airtight, vapor closed membrane in the heat exchanger core. When it is cold outside, an HRV will recover the heat from your home’s exhaust air and transfer it to your oxygen-rich, filtered, outside air.

An ERV (energy or enthalpy recovery ventilation) unit exchanges both the sensible and latent energy (heat involved in the phase change of substance) of the incoming and outgoing air streams. By using an airtight, but vapor-open membrane in the ERV core, both heat and moisture is transferred. On a humid summer day, the heat and moisture from the incoming outdoor air will be transferred out, keeping your dehumidification and cooling loads down while providing an excellent indoor air environment (IAE).

Fun fact: At around 90% efficiency, the fresh air from a Brink HRV and ERV will be supplied at temperatures very close to that of the home, providing a comfortable stream of air and reducing the load on your heating and cooling system.

It depends upon your climate (and the use of the space you plan on ventilating).

For a conventional home, if you live in a region with either hot and humid summers OR cold and dry winters you will want to use an ERV. An ERV helps keep the summer humidity out (when the humidity outside is higher than the cooled interior) and in the winter it will help preserve the relative humidity of the home.

A HRV is recommended for climates where the outdoor air stays at a comfortable %RH year round (~40-60% relative humidity).

If you expect high humidity levels generated in the space being ventilated, bringing in dry outdoor air through an HRV in the winter may be beneficial. Note - these are unique and rare cases.

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) do not actively add humidity or remove humidity as humidifiers / dehumidifiers do. However, using an ERV will prevent much of the summer humidity from entering your home and maintain the RH in the winter. An ERV will reduce the load on your air conditioning, heating equipment and reduce the load or eliminate the need for a dehumidifier or humidifier entirely.

HRVs and ERVs will work to maintain the temperature of the home / building. Heat always moves from hot to cold. In the winter the heat from your home will be conducted to the colder fresh air stream via the heat exchanger and enter the home at a temperature very close to that of which you are heating your home to. Similarly, in the summer, heat from the incoming fresh air stream will be transferred to the colder exhaust air and rejected back into the environment. The supply air is passively cooled by the conditioned exhaust air. HRVs and ERVs work to provide a comfortable, high quality, air supply in both the winter and summer.

Bonus: Having adequate air flow throughout the home will also reduce mold growth.

A well designed, centralized ventilation system will exhaust pollutants from the kitchen and bathrooms and supply fresh air to the living and sleeping spaces. A balanced Brink ventilation system can meet code continuous exhaust requirements, eliminating the need for an exhaust-only bathroom fan. By installing Brink boost switches, you will be able to increase the ventilation rates temporarily (when showering, etc).

Planning the location of the Brink ventilation unit and intake and exhaust locations early will improve the ease of installation and performance of the system. Place the Brink unit in the conditioned envelope, in a way to minimize intake and exhaust runs, and to simplify 3” duct runs.

Plan the location of the Brink supply grill carefully to ensure a clean unobstructed air supply and avoid infiltration of bugs and other contaminants. Avoid placing the supply grill near a condensing unit or other mechanicals that could affect the supply air temperature or quality. Avoid placing the supply grill facing prevailing winds or where it could be damaged by snow fall or allow critter entry.

Brink requires that the intake and exhaust grills be installed 1.5m or 5’ apart from each other. Many codes require a 10’ separation. Confirm with your local code.

Review Section 5 ‘Installation’ of the Brink FLAIR Installation Guide for additional requirements.

The Brink MERV13 supply filter and MERV8 exhaust filter should be inspected and changed approximately every six months. Filters may need to be replaced more frequently in areas of heavy pollution, smoke, or pollen. Check the supply and exhaust air pressure indicated on the unit. See Section 9 ‘Maintenance’ for additional maintenance requirements.

Only Brink FLAIR HRVs require a condensate line. Therefore, each FLAIR HRV is delivered with a p-trap. Brink FLAIR ERVs do not require a p-trap to be installed as water vapor is transferred across the heat exchanger.

Note: The Brink dry siphon (p-trap) should be checked (and if needed cleaned) once per year.