HRV vs ERV and the definition of eachHeat recovery ventilation (HRV), also known as mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR), is an energy recovery ventilation system which works between two sources at different temperatures.

Heat recovery is a method which is increasingly used to reduce the heating and cooling demands (and thus energy costs) of buildings.

By recovering the residual heat in the exhaust gas, the fresh air introduced into the air conditioning system is pre-heated (pre-cooled), and the fresh air enthalpy is increased (reduced) before the fresh air enters the room or the air cooler of the air conditioning unit performs heat and moisture treatment.A typical heat recovery system in buildings consists of a core unit, channels for fresh air and exhaust air, and blower fans.

To choose between HRV and ERV ventilation systems, we need to know the difference between heat recovery ventilation and energy recovery ventilator, the exact introduction and application of each.

Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) is the energy recovery process in residential and commercial HVAC systems that exchanges the energy contained in normally exhausted air of a building or conditioned space, using it to treat (precondition) the incoming outdoor ventilation air.

The specific equipment involved may be called an Energy Recovery Ventilator, also abbreviated ERV.The main difference between HRV and ERV systems is in their center unit.