ERV & HRV Installation Bay Area

Both systems work the same basic way — exchanging stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air through a core that transfers energy between the two air streams — but an ERV also transfers moisture, while an HRV only transfers heat. In California’s climate, ERVs are more common because they help manage humidity along with temperature, which matters for homes that are tightly sealed for energy efficiency.

Newer and recently remodeled homes are built tighter than older construction — better for energy efficiency, but it also means less natural air leakage bringing in fresh air. Title 24, California’s energy code, requires mechanical ventilation in new construction and many remodels as a result. An ERV or HRV meets that requirement without just cracking a window and losing the conditioned air you’re paying to heat or cool.

Installing an ERV or HRV means running dedicated supply and exhaust ductwork, mounting the core unit, and — critically — balancing the system so it brings in exactly as much air as it exhausts. An unbalanced system can pressurize or depressurize a house, which causes its own problems, including backdrafting from combustion appliances and moisture issues. We test and balance every system after install, not just mount it and leave.