How Much Does It Cost to Install an Energy Recovery Ventilation System?

Energy recovery ventilation systems help keep your home well-ventilated and reduce energy loss. They work by transferring heat from the air exiting your home to the incoming air supply. An ERV system can also keep your home cool in the summer because the outgoing air cools the supply air.

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However, installing an ERV system can be expensive, and they're not the best option for every home.

You can install an ERV system with existing ductwork. Furthermore, an HVAC technician can often connect your existing furnace to your ERV system, allowing you to switch on the furnace via the same controls. However, you must keep your furnace fan switched on to move air throughout your home's ductwork.

How Much Do Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems Cost?

According to Attainable Home, buying and installing an ERV system costs around $2,000 (CAD 2,644) on average. Expect to pay between $1,660 and $1,940 (CAD 2,194 and CAD 2,565) for a typical mid-range unit and between $235 and $330 (CAD 311 and CAD 436) for installation labor.

The quality of your ERV HVAC system can significantly impact your project costs. At the lower end of the scale, the most basic ERV systems cost around $1,000 to $1,550 (CAD 1,322 to CAD 2,049) for the unit itself and $135 to $225 (CAD 178 to CAD 297) for professional installation. Meanwhile, premium models start from around $2,230 (CAD 2,948) and can cost up to $2,350 (CAD 3,107) or more. Expect to spend around $2,290 (CAD 3,027) in total for a high-end model and installation.

The labor cost to install an ERV system varies depending on the cost of living in your area. ERV systems are relatively uncommon in domestic buildings, so you may struggle to find a local company with the expertise to install your system. Expect to pay more if your contractor has to travel a long distance to reach your home.

You'll need to change your ERV system's filter every three months after installation. Fortunately, new filters are relatively inexpensive — most homeowners spend around $22 (CAD 29) per year.

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Can an Energy Recovery Ventilation System Help Me Save Money on My Energy Bills?

ERV systems recover roughly 70% to 80% of the energy in the air leaving your HVAC system. Therefore, they could save you money on your energy bills compared to a traditional HVAC system, but that isn't always the case.

How much money you can save by installing an ERV system depends on the climate where you live. The U.S. Department of Energy says that households in areas with extremely hot summers and cold winters achieve the most significant cost savings. Meanwhile, installing an ERV system in a milder climate is often not worth the cost. In some cases, the cost to run the unit will exceed the money saved by recovering energy from the exiting air.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.