Energy Recovery Ventilator Ratings, A Repairman Ranks The Brands

We give each brand a rating of from 1 to 5 stars. A 5* rating means that, if we were shopping for a unit for our own home, that is the brand we would choose (if it is available). When more than one brand has a 5* rating, we would choose the least expensive brand. When an NA appears in the place of a rating, it means that the manufacturer does not have a model in that group or we could not get enough information to accurately rate it.

We have rated the brands in two groups which are heat recovery ventilators (HRV) and energy recovery ventilators (ERV).

For your convenience, we have included the web addresses of the manufacturers as well as our comments regarding the advantages/disadvantages of each brand.

AccuExchange-americanstandardair.com---NA------4*-- These units have the best warranty in the industry. They also have optional extended warranties. The units are sold through dealers only (there is a dealer locator on their website). The units are available in three sizes based on the desired airflow. The are multi-position units for ease of installation.

AEROMATIC----------air2000.ca---------2*------NA--- These units have three modes of operation (timed 20/40, continuous vent, and demand). The units have an electronic motor control for superior speed control.

ALDES--------americanaldes.com-------<1*-----<1*--- These units are manufactured by Nutech r. Holdings Inc. the units have a five speed motor. They have a model that incorporates zoning.

APRILAIRE-----------aprilaire.com-----NA-----<1*--- The model 8100 units are designed for continuous operation.

BREEZE--------------renewaire.com-----NA-----<1*--- The units are sold through hvac contractors only.

BROAN---------------broan.com--------<1*-----<1*--- This brand is a subsidiary of NORTEK and the units are made by VENMAR. The warranty on the units is not very good.

BRYANT--------------bryant.com--------2*-----<1*--- The units are manufactured by Venmar.

CARRIER-----residential.carrier.com---2*-----<1*--- The units are manufactured by Venmar.

ConsERV-------------conserv.com-------NA------4*--- The units are made by Dais Analytic Corp. They have a superior warranty but are only available through manufacturers' reps.

FANTECH-------------fantech.net-------3*------2*--- The units have an electrostatic filter. They have many control options available and a strong warranty.

FLAKT WOODS---------flaktwoods.com---<1*------NA--- This brand offers stand alone (minivent) ventilation systems with heat recovery. The units feature auto defrost that is controlled by time and outdoor temperature. They offer an optional wall mount control panel.

FreshEffects--------trane.com---------NA------4*--- These units have the best warranty in the industry and even have optional extended warranties. They can only be purchased through dealers.

GeneralAire---------generalaire.com---1*------3*--- These units have two operating modes (intermittent and continuous). They have a variable speed fan motor and proportional defrost for added energy efficiency.

GOODMAN-------------goodmanmfg.com----3*------2*-- This brand features standard models with a washable electrostatic filter.

GREENTEK------------greentek.ca-------4*------3*--- This brand is from IMPERIAL MANUFACTURING GROUP and is made in Canada. These units have intermittent, continuous, and recirculation modes. The model S units are passive units that use the fan from the forced air system instead of a separate fan. They are backed by a very good warranty.

Healthy Climate-----lennox.com-------<1*------1*--- These units are actually manufactured by Nutech R. Holdings Inc. They are only sold through dealers.

HONEYWELL---yourhome.honeywell.com---<1*------1*--- These units are manufactured by Nutech R. Holdings Inc. They are only sold through authorized contractors.

IMPERIAL------------imperialgroup.ca--4*------3*--- This brand is from IMPERIAL MANUFACTURING GROUP and is made in Canada. The MODEL S units are passive units that must be connected to an existing ducted furnace system. The MODEL D units have a recirculation mode for improved air quality. All of the units are backed by a very good warranty.

JOHNSON&STARLEY-johnsonandstarley.com-<1*-----NA--- These units have optional electronic filtration.

LIFEBREATH----------lifebreath.com----2*------1*--- These units are manufactured by Nutech R. Holdings Inc. The "Max series" units are for adding to existing hvac systems. They have a five speed fan and four modes of operation. The "RSC series" units are for new construction. They make a "total recovery ventilation" unit but it seems like a waste of money.

MITSUI----mitsuiairconditioner.com---<1*------NA--- This brand is made in Italy and available in Europe. They offer four sizes of units and they are available in either horozontal or vertical mounted models. The manufacturer's website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy.

MTD SOLUTIONS----mtd-solutions.com----NA-----<1*--- These units are available in Ireland. They have optional service and warranty contracts that can be extended for 25 years.

NU AIR---- nu-airventilation.com ---5*------5*-- This brand is made in Canada and features a variety of sizes of units to match the needs of your home. The OPTIMA series units are adjustable motors and enhanced control options. The units are backed by a very good warranty.

PINGUIN----------enervent.fi----------NA-----<1*--- These units are only available in Europe. They have a built in 400 watt heater and impressive control options. The night cooling mode is an efficient cooling option.

RecoupAerator----ultimateair.com------NA------1*--- These units have an ECM motor for efficiency. The EconoCool mode is an efficient cooling option.

SUPERVENTOR------summeraire.com-------2*------NA--- These units are available in North America only.

ULTRAVENTOR------summeraire.com-------NA------1*--- These units are only available in North America.

VAILLANT---------vaillant.com--------<1*------NA--- This brand is a part of the VAILLANT GROUP. The recoVAIR units are available in two sizes. They have an auto summer bypass mode for free cooling on summer nights. The standard controller can be programmed for normal, low, or boost operation. It even includes an energy gain display to show you how much energy you save in the summer bypass mode.

VanEE--------vanee-ventilation.com----2*------1*--- This brand is only sold in Canada and is made by VENMAR which is a subsidiary of NORTEK. The 90 H-V ECM units feature two ECM motors (for efficiency) and an integrated balancing system for the airflow.

VENMAR-------------venmar.ca---------<1*-----<1*--- This brand is a subsidiary of NORTEK. The units are sold at home improvement centers but the warranty is not very good.

VENT-AXIA---------vent-axia.com------<1*------NA---

VITOVENT----------econrgltd.com-------NA-----<1*--- This brand has a night cooling mode.

WHISPERCOMFORT----panasonic.com-------NA-----<1*--- This unit is a ceiling insert spot erv. It typically is used to replace a bath fan. It is designed for continuous ventilation. It is only available through dealers.

XPELAIR--------- applied-energy.com <1*-----NA--- Their CarbonLite range has a three speed DC motor for energy savings and a smaller carbon footprint.

YORK--------------yorkupg.com--------<1*------1*--- These units are actually honeywell units that are sold by York dealers as part of a total comfort system.
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