Las Vegas HRV / ERV installation — balanced fresh-air ventilation with heat recovery
Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) pull stale air from bathrooms and kitchens while pre-conditioning incoming fresh air with the exhaust air's heat. Required in newer builds; retrofit in older homes for indoor air quality.
HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) exchanges heat between stale exhaust air and fresh intake air. It captures 60-80% of the heat that would otherwise leave the house with the exhaust. For Las Vegas's dry winter climate, HRV is usually the right choice.
ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) transfers both heat AND moisture. It captures humidity from the exhaust air and returns it to the intake, keeping indoor humidity from dropping too low in winter or too high in summer. For Las Vegas homes with humidity issues (too dry in winter, too humid in summer basements), ERV is better.
We assess indoor humidity levels and building envelope tightness during the quote. Newer well-sealed builds (post-2015) often benefit from ERV. Older leakier homes typically go with HRV. Either way, both units are required for indoor air quality in tight modern builds. Related in Las Vegas: free quote and HVAC FAQs.
Fresh air install
Install day
Two-day install for most HRV/ERV setups
Assessment + sizing
Whole-home air changes per hour calculated per Provincial Building Code, HRV/ERV sized to match, duct routing planned for supply and exhaust in bathrooms and kitchen.
Written quote
Line-item quote covers HRV/ERV unit, dedicated ductwork runs, exterior wall penetrations for intake and exhaust hoods, controls integration with existing thermostat.
Day 1 — Ductwork
Dedicated ventilation ducts run to exhaust points (bathrooms, kitchen) and fresh air distribution points (bedrooms, living areas). Exterior hoods installed with proper flashing.
Day 2 — Commission
Unit installed and hooked up, controls programmed, airflow verified at each intake and exhaust, defrost cycle tested (critical for Las Vegas winter operation).
When you actually
Las Vegas HRV / ERV installation
Provincial Building Code has required HRV or ERV in new residential builds since 2012 for homes with tightness under a specific ACH threshold. New builds you buy after 2015 almost always have one installed. Repair and maintenance of existing HRV/ERV: standard part of our service line.
Older Las Vegas homes with visible condensation on windows, musty basement smells, or persistent stale air are often good HRV/ERV retrofit candidates. Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans running for years leave the house depressurized — replacement air comes in through leaks bringing dust and outdoor pollutants. HRV/ERV brings controlled filtered air in instead.
For homes with basement smells or upstairs bedrooms that feel stuffy at night, HRV/ERV solves the problem more permanently than opening windows or running exhaust fans. Payback isn't dollar-based — it's health-based. Related in Las Vegas: AC installation, AC repair, and maintenance plans.
Las Vegas HVAC installation hrv erv installation questions answered
Newer builds (post-2015): typically already have one — you'd be replacing it. Older builds with symptoms like window condensation, musty smells, or stuffy air: HRV/ERV solves those problems by providing controlled fresh air. Homes with no symptoms: HRV/ERV is optional but improves indoor air quality noticeably.
HRV with dedicated ventilation ductwork: $2,500-$4,200 typical range. ERV: adds $200-$500 to that. Retrofit into an existing HVAC system without adding dedicated ducts: cheaper ($1,800-$2,800) but less effective.
HRV transfers heat only. ERV transfers heat AND moisture. For Las Vegas homes: if winter humidity drops below 30%, ERV helps by retaining moisture from exhaust air. If humidity is normal (35-45%), HRV is simpler and slightly cheaper. We measure indoor humidity during assessment before recommending.
Not exactly — but it usually reduces how much you need them. HRV/ERV runs continuously at low speed pulling stale air from bathrooms and kitchen. High-use exhaust fans (shower, cooking) still run when needed but for shorter periods.
Filter cleaning: every 2-3 months (you can do this yourself, no tools needed). Core cleaning: annually (we handle this on annual maintenance visits). Overall unit lifespan: 15-20 years with routine maintenance.
Original HRV in our newer build was undersized and noisy. Replaced with a Venmar EKO 1.5 — quieter, more efficient, and the fresh air flow is noticeable. Clean 1-day swap.
L. Hosseini
New build unit replacement
★★★★★
Winter condensation on all our windows was the tell that we needed better ventilation. They installed an ERV with new ductwork over 2 days. Condensation gone within a week, humidity now consistent.
T. Boivin
Retrofit for humidity issues
★★★★★
Legal basement suite required its own HRV per the fire safety plan. They installed a compact unit with independent exhaust from the tenant's bathroom and kitchen. Passed inspection first try.
V. Petrov
Basement suite ventilation
★★★★★
Older home with persistent stale-air problem. New HRV with dedicated ductwork to all bathrooms and the kitchen. First month of use showed measurable improvement in bedroom air quality (we measured with a monitor).
K. Nakashima
Whole-home retrofit
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