If you are comparing whole-house ventilation proposals—or planning how to reduce smoke exposure without permanently disabling ventilation—the useful questions are about the home, the exact unit, and its operating instructions. An HRV or ERV is one part of a ventilation system; a product label alone does not establish the airflow delivered through your ducts or how the house should be operated during a smoke event.
This guide provides a homeowner review worksheet. It does not calculate a code-compliant airflow rate, design ductwork, or prescribe wiring or controls. Ask a qualified ventilation professional to identify the applicable local requirements, design basis, and commissioning procedure for your home.
HRV and ERV: the practical distinction
Both heat-recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy-recovery ventilators (ERVs) move outdoor air into a home while exhausting indoor air, transferring some heat between the airstreams. Many ERV cores also transfer some moisture. The amount and behavior depend on the core and operating conditions; the label “ERV” does not mean the system removes pollutants or blocks wildfire smoke.
The choice is not a universal map by climate zone. Indoor moisture sources, winter condensation history, summer humidity, building enclosure, ventilation design, controls, and the manufacturer’s performance data all matter. Ask the designer to explain why the proposed model and operating strategy fit your home, and what conditions would change that recommendation.
Ask the designer to show the ventilation basis
ASHRAE identifies Standard 62.2-2025 as its residential ventilation and acceptable indoor-air-quality standard. Its public standard page describes minimum requirements for dwelling-unit ventilation, local exhaust, and source control. The standard is a professional design reference, not a universal shortcut formula in this article; applicable adopted codes and project conditions must be checked by the designer.
Ask for a written worksheet that includes:
| Ask for | What you should be able to verify |
|---|---|
| Applicable code and ventilation design basis | The edition/adoption used for your jurisdiction, dwelling type, and project scope. |
| Required and proposed outdoor-air flow | The design value, units, operating schedule, and any assumptions or permitted adjustments. |
| Local exhaust plan | How kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, and other relevant sources are addressed under the applicable design. |
| Exact ventilator model and matched components | Manufacturer, model, filters, controls, and any accessories included in the proposal. |
| Performance data for that model | Published airflow, external static pressure conditions, recovery ratings, and test method; avoid comparing figures with different test conditions. |
| Air balance and commissioning record | Who measures supply and exhaust after installation, the values recorded, and what happens if measured results differ from design. |
| Filter and maintenance access | Filter type and size, replacement instructions, access, and who is responsible for initial setup. |
ASHRAE says meeting the standard does not necessarily ensure acceptable indoor air quality in every situation, including when ventilation air is unacceptable or systems are not operated and maintained as designed. That makes source control, outdoor-air conditions, commissioning, and maintenance part of the conversation—not just the fan’s label or nominal capacity.
Compare HRV and ERV proposals without a climate-zone shortcut
Ask each contractor to explain moisture management in the context of your home. Mention winter window condensation, indoor humidity concerns, summer outdoor humidity, bathrooms and cooking, and any history of mold or dampness. Ask which manufacturer data support the recommendation and what the equipment does under the conditions relevant to your location.
A useful comparison asks the same questions of each bid:
- What model and core type are proposed, and which published test results apply to that exact model?
- What supply and exhaust flows are designed, and how will they be measured at commissioning?
- What happens during the model’s defrost or cold-weather operating mode, according to its manual?
- What filters are included, what contaminants can they address, and what maintenance or airflow tradeoffs does the manufacturer state?
- How are local exhaust, controls, and the rest of the home’s HVAC system coordinated?
- Who will explain normal operation, maintenance, and the response to abnormal noise, frost, moisture, or airflow?
Do not infer comparable SRE or latent recovery values from brand names or category labels. Compare published ratings only when the rating, test procedure, airflow, static-pressure condition, and equipment configuration are clearly identified. The manufacturer’s documentation and qualified designer are the source for your exact selection.
Smoke events: balance filtration, outdoor air, and heat
EPA recommends checking local air-quality information, closing doors and windows when appropriate, using suitable air cleaners, and using a central HVAC filter such as MERV 13—or the highest rating the system can accommodate—when compatible. EPA also advises using cooling and seeking a cooler place if the home cannot be kept cool. Smoke and heat can both be harmful, and heat may be the more immediate danger for many people.
Some homes have a fresh-air control that can be closed or set to recirculate during smoky conditions. EPA’s home wildfire guidance describes this as a temporary exposure-reduction measure and says to resume ventilation when outdoor air improves to clear indoor contaminants. Whether and how this applies to a dedicated HRV/ERV depends on the unit and home. Use its manual, ask the installer to identify the intended control, and follow local public-health and emergency instructions. Do not add an improvised shutoff damper, sensor threshold, automation, or “sealed shelter” claim to the system.
A household plan can record:
- Where to check current local air-quality and smoke guidance.
- Which equipment control, if any, the installer or manual identifies for a temporary smoky period—and who in the household knows how to restore normal ventilation afterward.
- Which compatible central filter and/or appropriately sized portable air cleaner the household can use, plus how to check and replace filters.
- How everyone can stay cool if windows are closed, including where to go if the home becomes too hot.
- When to resume normal outdoor-air ventilation after the event, following the equipment instructions and public guidance.
Portable air cleaners can help reduce particles in the room where they are used, but they do not make every room safe or certify air quality. EPA notes that a cleaner-air room may help when smoke cannot be kept out of the whole home. No filter, ventilator, or closed-window strategy guarantees protection from smoke or other contaminants.
Take this worksheet to the quote review
Before choosing a system, request these items in writing:
- Applicable ventilation requirement and design calculation for this dwelling.
- Exact equipment model, filter, controls, and applicable manufacturer data.
- Proposed supply and exhaust airflow and the commissioning measurement plan.
- HRV/ERV recommendation tied to this home’s moisture conditions and documented equipment performance.
- Exact manufacturer cold-weather/defrost instructions and the service plan.
- Smoke-event operation and restoration plan that accounts for filtration, heat, occupants, and local guidance.
- Named qualified installer/designer responsible for design, installation, commissioning, and homeowner orientation.
This article helps you compare the evidence in ventilation proposals. It cannot replace the applicable standard, local code review, manufacturer instructions, or site-specific design. For smoke-event health guidance, follow current EPA, AirNow, and local public-health information.
