Heating
Furnace or heat pump for an Ontario home?
How they compare, and when a hybrid setup makes sense.
Read more ›Air quality · Aug 2026
Why tight homes need an HRV or ERV
Fresh air without wasting heat — and which one you need.
Newer and well-sealed homes hold in moisture, cooking smells and stale air. A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) brings in fresh air while recovering much of the heat from the air going out.
An HRV is common in colder, more humid homes; an ERV also transfers some moisture, which can help homes that get too dry in winter.
Signs you may need one: condensation on windows, lingering odours, or stuffy rooms.
