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Fresh Air Without Wasting Energy

ERV/HRV Installation

ERV/HRV installation brings in fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air without sacrificing efficiency.

Brutally honest: Most Chicago homes are leaky enough they don't need ERV/HRV. We install them when you've air-sealed so tight that fresh air becomes a problem. Since 2008.

Call (773) 900-6248
ERV: $1,800-3,500
HRV: $1,500-3,000
1-2 Day Install
Tight Homes Only

What ERV/HRV Actually Are (No Jargon)

Think of it as trading stale inside air for fresh outside air, but recovering the temperature and humidity so you don't waste energy.

HRV = Heat Recovery Ventilator

Transfers heat between outgoing stale air and incoming fresh air using a heat exchanger core.

  • Winter: Warms incoming cold air with outgoing warm air (recovers 60-80% of heat)
  • Summer: Cools incoming hot air with outgoing cool air
  • Does NOT transfer moisture

Cost: $1,500-$3,000 installed

ERV = Energy Recovery Ventilator

Everything HRV does PLUS transfers moisture between air streams.

  • Winter: Adds moisture to dry incoming air (from humid outgoing air)
  • Summer: Removes moisture from humid incoming air
  • Transfers both heat AND moisture

Cost: $1,800-$3,500 installed

Better for Chicago

ERV vs HRV: Which For Chicago?

Chicago has humid summers and dry winters. ERV addresses both. HRV is cheaper but only solves half the problem.

ERV: Recommended for Chicago

Better for Chicago climate because it transfers heat + moisture.

  • Summer benefit: Removes humidity from incoming air (less AC load)
  • Winter benefit: Retains some humidity (less dry)
  • Best for humid climates like Chicago

$1,800-3,500 installed

HRV: Heat Only

Only transfers heat (not moisture). Better for cold, dry climates.

  • Better for: Cold dry climates (Minnesota, Canada)
  • Chicago downside: Doesn't help with summer humidity
  • Lower upfront cost

$1,500-3,000 installed

When You Actually Need ERV/HRV (Honest Assessment)

You Probably NEED It If:

  • Tight home (spray foam insulation, new construction, deep energy retrofit)
  • Indoor air feels stuffy/stale (CO2 buildup)
  • Bathroom/cooking odors linger for hours
  • High radon levels (need continuous ventilation)
  • Building code requires it (passive house, high-performance homes)

You Probably DON'T Need It If:

  • Older "leaky" home (pre-1980 Chicago bungalow = plenty of air leaks already)
  • Can just open windows (spring/fall fresh air is free)
  • Just want "better air quality" (air purifier cheaper at $500-1,500)
  • Normal ventilation with bathroom/kitchen exhaust fans works fine

Brutally honest: Most Chicago homes are leaky enough they don't need ERV/HRV. We install them when you've air-sealed so tight that fresh air is a problem. If you're not sure, we can test your home's air-tightness (blower door test) before recommending ERV/HRV.

ERV/HRV Installation Process

Installation takes 1-2 days and requires careful planning to balance airflow and meet code requirements.

Technical Requirements

  • Intake vent: Fresh air from outside (through wall/soffit)
  • Exhaust vent: Stale air to outside
  • Ductwork: Connect to existing return duct OR dedicated distribution
  • Electrical: 120V dedicated circuit
  • Controls: Tie to thermostat OR standalone humidistat/timer
  • Condensate drain: ERV produces moisture (need floor drain or pump)

Chicago Installation Challenges

  • Exterior vents: Must be 10 ft apart (code), avoid prevailing wind direction
  • Roof vs wall mount: Wall vents easier in Chicago (avoid ice buildup on roof vents)
  • Bungalow basements: Often no condensate drain (need pump +$150-250)
  • Balanced airflow: Must balance intake/exhaust CFM (prevents pressure issues)
  • Winter freezing: ERV heat exchangers can freeze below -10°F (we install with defrost cycle)

ERV/HRV Pricing (Transparent)

No games, no hidden fees. Here's what ERV/HRV installation actually costs.

HRV System

$1,500-3,000

Installed, complete system

ERV System

$1,800-3,500

Installed, complete system

Chicago Recommendation

Add-Ons

  • Condensate pump: +$150-250
  • Dedicated ductwork: +$500-1,500
  • Exterior vents: Included

Operating Costs & Sizing

Monthly/Annual Costs:

  • Electricity: $5-15/month (runs continuously at low speed)
  • Filter replacement: $40-80/year (2 filters)
  • Cleaning: DIY annually (clean heat exchanger core)

Sizing Guide:

  • 1,500 sq ft home: 70-100 CFM unit
  • 2,500 sq ft home: 100-150 CFM unit
  • 3,500+ sq ft home: 150-200 CFM unit

Maintenance Requirements (Ongoing Work)

ERV/HRV maintenance is easy—mostly changing filters. If you don't do it, efficiency drops 30-50%.

Every 3-6 Months (DIY)

  • Replace intake/exhaust filters ($20-40 each)
  • Check condensate drain (ensure flowing)

Every 1-2 Years (DIY or $150 Service Call)

  • Clean heat exchanger core (remove, rinse, reinstall)
  • Clean intake/exhaust vents outside
  • Check fan motors

Energy Savings Reality Check

Don't buy an ERV for energy savings. Buy it for fresh air in a tight home. The energy recovery prevents it from costing you $500/year to run.

Honest ROI

  • Energy recovered: 60-80% of heating/cooling from exhausted air
  • Typical savings: $150-400/year (vs mechanical ventilation without recovery)
  • Payback period: 5-10 years

Primary Benefit:

Fresh air continuously, NOT energy savings

The energy recovery just prevents ventilation from adding $500/year to your heating/cooling bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ERV and HRV?

HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) transfers heat between outgoing stale air and incoming fresh air, recovering 60-80% of heating/cooling energy. ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) does everything HRV does PLUS transfers moisture. For Chicago's humid summers and dry winters, ERV is better—it removes humidity from incoming air in summer and retains some moisture in winter.

How much does ERV/HRV installation cost?

HRV systems cost $1,500-$3,000 installed. ERV systems cost $1,800-$3,500 installed. Add $150-$250 for a condensate pump if your basement lacks a floor drain, and $500-$1,500 for dedicated ductwork if you're not connecting to existing return ducts. Operating cost is $5-15/month in electricity plus $40-80/year for filter replacements.

Do I need an ERV in Chicago?

You probably need ERV/HRV if: your home is tightly sealed (spray foam, new construction, deep energy retrofit), indoor air feels stuffy, odors linger for hours, you have high radon levels, or building code requires it (passive house standards). You probably DON'T need it if: you have an older leaky home (pre-1980 Chicago bungalow has plenty of air leaks already), you can just open windows for fresh air, or you're just looking for better air quality (an air purifier at $500-$1,500 is cheaper).

How often do I change ERV filters?

Replace ERV/HRV filters every 3-6 months ($20-40 per filter, two filters per unit). Clean the heat exchanger core every 1-2 years by removing it, rinsing with water, and reinstalling—this is a DIY job. If you skip filter changes, efficiency drops 30-50%.

Will an ERV reduce my energy bills?

Don't buy an ERV for energy savings. Buy it for fresh air in a tight home. ERVs recover 60-80% of heating/cooling energy from exhausted air, saving $150-400/year compared to mechanical ventilation without recovery. Payback period is 5-10 years. The primary benefit is continuous fresh air, NOT energy savings—the energy recovery just prevents it from costing you $500/year to run.

Can I install an ERV myself?

ERV/HRV installation requires: two exterior vent penetrations (intake and exhaust, must be 10+ feet apart per code), ductwork connections, dedicated 120V electrical circuit, condensate drain or pump, and balanced airflow testing. Most homeowners hire a professional. Installation takes 1-2 days and costs are included in our $1,800-$3,500 pricing.

Not Sure If You Need ERV/HRV?

We'll give you an honest assessment. If your home doesn't need it, we'll tell you. If you need it, we'll explain exactly why and size it correctly.

(773) 900-6248

Most assessments take 30-45 minutes. We can test your home's air-tightness to determine if ERV/HRV makes sense.