How Do I Know If I Need an ERV or HRV in a Tightly Sealed BC Home?

Have a heating or cooling question about your home? Call (604) 359-1081 or request a free written quote.

Why tight homes need mechanical ventilation

Older homes leaked air constantly through gaps around windows, doors, and framing. That was wasteful for heating, but it did quietly bring in fresh air. Newer BC homes, and older homes that have had new windows, spray foam, or air sealing added, are built much tighter to save energy. The trade-off is that stale air, moisture, cooking smells, and everyday indoor pollutants have nowhere to escape.

An HRV or ERV solves this by continuously exchanging stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air, while a heat-exchange core recovers most of the warmth (and, with an ERV, some of the moisture) from the air leaving your home. That means you get fresh air without simply throwing your heating out the window.

Signs your home may need one

You don't need lab testing to notice the common symptoms. Watch for:

• Condensation or fog on the inside of windows, especially in winter
• A stuffy, stale feeling that lingers even after the heat has been running
• Cooking, bathroom, or pet odours that hang around far longer than they used to
• Persistent high humidity, damp corners, or musty smells
• A home built or deeply renovated in the last decade to modern energy-efficiency standards
• Worsening allergy or stuffiness symptoms indoors during the wetter months

If several of these sound familiar, your home is probably not getting enough fresh air on its own, and a properly sized ventilation system is worth looking at.

HRV vs ERV: which one for a BC home?

Both units recover heat from outgoing air. The main difference is moisture. An HRV transfers heat only, so it tends to pull humidity out of the home, which is helpful in our damp Metro Vancouver climate where excess indoor moisture and condensation are the more common problems. For that reason, HRVs are the more frequent choice in the Lower Mainland.

An ERV transfers both heat and some moisture. It shines when you're trying to hold on to indoor humidity in very dry conditions, or when a very tight home tends to swing too dry in winter. The right pick depends on your home's construction, how many people live there, and your real humidity readings, not a one-size-fits-all rule. This is where an on-site look matters more than a blog answer.

What to do next

Start by measuring your indoor humidity with an inexpensive hygrometer over a few days, and note where and when condensation appears. If levels stay high or windows keep fogging, that's a strong sign your home needs better air exchange. Improving spot ventilation, like running bathroom and range-hood fans that vent outdoors, helps but usually isn't enough for a genuinely tight home.

When you want it done right, a professional can perform a proper assessment, confirm whether an HRV or ERV suits your home, size the unit to your square footage and occupancy, and ensure the ductwork and controls are set up correctly. Some CleanBC and FortisBC efficiency programs have supported ventilation upgrades at times, so it's worth asking about current rebates when you book. CANRO offers a diagnostic visit and a free written quote for Metro Vancouver homeowners. Call (604) 359-1081 or email info@canroheat.ca.

Frequently asked questions

Reviewed by the CANRO Heating & Cooling service team — July 07, 2026. Technical Safety BC gas licence LGA0043870 · boiler licence LBP0046450 · Red Seal certified · WorkSafeBC and liability insured · 4.9★ from 85+ Google reviews · serving Metro Vancouver since 1999 · (604) 359-1081.