Venmar AVS ERV E15 ECM HRV
The Venmar AVS ERV E15 ECM HRV earns a best-in-class nod for residential and light-commercial projects by combining an electronically commutated motor with a compact, energy-conscious packaging that keeps operating costs low. It is positioned as a cost-effective, low-electric-consumption alternative to larger industrial rotary-wheel units like Greenheck, offering comparable steady ventilation control in smaller footprints while typically requiring less installation and maintenance expense than wheel-based systems.
ECM motor efficiency
Compact footprint
ECM motor efficiency
Compact footprint
Review Summary
"Users report effective heat and moisture recovery with the Venmar AVS E15 ECM, praising its quiet ECM motor and improved energy savings. Installers and long-term owners note that setup and controls can be fiddly and occasional maintenance is required."
Whisper-quiet spin
ECM motor for low‑energy, variable‑speed operation.
Whisper-quiet spin
ECM motor for low‑energy, variable‑speed operation.
Eco-Friendly Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Venmar AVS ERV E15 ECM HRV earns a best-in-class nod for residential and light-commercial projects by combining an electronically commutated motor with a compact, energy-conscious packaging that keeps operating costs low. It is positioned as a cost-effective, low-electric-consumption alternative to larger industrial rotary-wheel units like Greenheck, offering comparable steady ventilation control in smaller footprints while typically requiring less installation and maintenance expense than wheel-based systems.
ECM motor efficiency
Compact footprint
Whisper-quiet spin
ECM motor for low‑energy, variable‑speed operation.
Designed for balanced ventilation in smaller homes and tight mechanical rooms.
ECM motor efficiency
Compact footprint
Whisper-quiet spin
ECM motor for low‑energy, variable‑speed operation.
Designed for balanced ventilation in smaller homes and tight mechanical rooms.
$800-1,400 CAD
Greenheck Model ERV-IND
Greenheck's ERV-IND is the market leader for heavy-duty rotary wheel energy recovery in large or continuous-operation HVAC systems, valued for its high capacity, rugged wheel assemblies and serviceability that lower lifecycle cost on big projects. Compared with the smaller residential-focused units in this list, Greenheck delivers superior sustained heat and moisture transfer for stable ventilation in commercial settings, and its industrial-grade construction often yields better long-term ROI on large installations despite higher upfront cost.
Heavy-duty durability
High CFM capacity
Heavy-duty durability
High CFM capacity
Review Summary
"Reviewers highlight the Greenheck ERV-IND's industrial build quality, consistent performance and low-maintenance operation as market-leading strengths. The main downsides cited are higher upfront cost and the need for professional handling due to size and weight."
Industrial roar tamed
Heavy‑duty rotary wheel engineered for high airflow and continuous operation.
Industrial roar tamed
Heavy‑duty rotary wheel engineered for high airflow and continuous operation.
Eco-Friendly Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Greenheck's ERV-IND is the market leader for heavy-duty rotary wheel energy recovery in large or continuous-operation HVAC systems, valued for its high capacity, rugged wheel assemblies and serviceability that lower lifecycle cost on big projects. Compared with the smaller residential-focused units in this list, Greenheck delivers superior sustained heat and moisture transfer for stable ventilation in commercial settings, and its industrial-grade construction often yields better long-term ROI on large installations despite higher upfront cost.
Heavy-duty durability
High CFM capacity
Industrial roar tamed
Heavy‑duty rotary wheel engineered for high airflow and continuous operation.
Robust, corrosion‑resistant construction with serviceable components for industrial sites.
Heavy-duty durability
High CFM capacity
Industrial roar tamed
Heavy‑duty rotary wheel engineered for high airflow and continuous operation.
Robust, corrosion‑resistant construction with serviceable components for industrial sites.
$6,000-15,000 CAD
Fantech VHR 150R
The Fantech VHR 150R stands out as a mid-size, application-flexible option that bridges residential and light-commercial needs with rotary-capable performance and modular installation features. Technically, it balances the higher airflow and humidity-transfer benefits of wheel-based recovery with lower capital outlay than full-scale industrial units like the Greenheck, making it a strong choice where tighter humidity control and variable-speed integration are needed without oversizing the system.
Balanced airflow control
User-friendly interface
Balanced airflow control
User-friendly interface
Review Summary
"Owners appreciate the Fantech VHR 150R for its compact footprint, quiet operation at normal speeds and reliable recovery performance. Some long-term users report occasional fan motor or control issues and wish for more advanced control features."
Spin-saver design
Rotary enthalpy wheel transfers heat and moisture for year‑round comfort.
Spin-saver design
Rotary enthalpy wheel transfers heat and moisture for year‑round comfort.
Eco-Friendly Living
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Fantech VHR 150R stands out as a mid-size, application-flexible option that bridges residential and light-commercial needs with rotary-capable performance and modular installation features. Technically, it balances the higher airflow and humidity-transfer benefits of wheel-based recovery with lower capital outlay than full-scale industrial units like the Greenheck, making it a strong choice where tighter humidity control and variable-speed integration are needed without oversizing the system.
Balanced airflow control
User-friendly interface
Spin-saver design
Rotary enthalpy wheel transfers heat and moisture for year‑round comfort.
ECM motor and sound‑damped housing minimize indoor noise levels.
Balanced airflow control
User-friendly interface
Spin-saver design
Rotary enthalpy wheel transfers heat and moisture for year‑round comfort.
ECM motor and sound‑damped housing minimize indoor noise levels.
$900-1,800 CAD
Lifebreath 195 MAX ERV
Lifebreath's 195 MAX ERV earns a reputation for delivering stable ventilation in homes and smaller commercial spaces through reliable, low-maintenance heat/energy recovery and user-friendly controls. When evaluated against rotary-wheel systems, it often offers simpler maintenance and predictable seasonal performance, which can translate to lower service costs and fewer operational worries for owners prioritizing steady indoor-air-quality over the peak moisture-transfer performance of larger wheel units.
High recovery rate
MERV filtration-ready
High recovery rate
MERV filtration-ready
Review Summary
"The Lifebreath 195 MAX ERV is praised for strong heat and moisture transfer, straightforward filter access and solid overall efficiency. Common complaints are noticeable fan noise at higher speeds and periodic service attention after extended use."
Quiet as library
High‑efficiency energy recovery delivering balanced sensible and latent transfer.
Quiet as library
High‑efficiency energy recovery delivering balanced sensible and latent transfer.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Eco-Friendly Living
Lifebreath's 195 MAX ERV earns a reputation for delivering stable ventilation in homes and smaller commercial spaces through reliable, low-maintenance heat/energy recovery and user-friendly controls. When evaluated against rotary-wheel systems, it often offers simpler maintenance and predictable seasonal performance, which can translate to lower service costs and fewer operational worries for owners prioritizing steady indoor-air-quality over the peak moisture-transfer performance of larger wheel units.
High recovery rate
MERV filtration-ready
Quiet as library
High‑efficiency energy recovery delivering balanced sensible and latent transfer.
Low‑leak core and energy‑efficient fans optimized for residential ventilation.
High recovery rate
MERV filtration-ready
Quiet as library
High‑efficiency energy recovery delivering balanced sensible and latent transfer.
Low‑leak core and energy‑efficient fans optimized for residential ventilation.
$900-1,600 CAD
RenewAire EV Premium 200
The RenewAire EV Premium 200 is a premium fixed-core enthalpy ERV that appeals where stable ventilation and absolute air-stream separation are priorities; its non-rotary core eliminates purge leakage and reduces maintenance compared with wheel-based systems. Financially and technically, it can be attractive for buildings sensitive to cross-contamination or where predictable, low-maintenance operation is worth a modestly higher initial investment compared with some rotary-wheel options listed here.
Sensible heat transfer
Low-maintenance core
Sensible heat transfer
Low-maintenance core
Review Summary
"RenewAire EV Premium 200 users value its long-term reliability, low maintenance (no moving parts in the core) and consistent indoor air quality performance. Criticisms focus on higher purchase cost and that its fixed-core design handles humidity differently than rotary wheels."
Odor-fighter core
Fixed enthalpy core provides moisture and heat exchange without moving parts.
Odor-fighter core
Fixed enthalpy core provides moisture and heat exchange without moving parts.
Eco-Friendly Living
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The RenewAire EV Premium 200 is a premium fixed-core enthalpy ERV that appeals where stable ventilation and absolute air-stream separation are priorities; its non-rotary core eliminates purge leakage and reduces maintenance compared with wheel-based systems. Financially and technically, it can be attractive for buildings sensitive to cross-contamination or where predictable, low-maintenance operation is worth a modestly higher initial investment compared with some rotary-wheel options listed here.
Sensible heat transfer
Low-maintenance core
Odor-fighter core
Fixed enthalpy core provides moisture and heat exchange without moving parts.
Very low risk of cross‑contamination and reduced maintenance compared with rotary wheels.
Sensible heat transfer
Low-maintenance core
Odor-fighter core
Fixed enthalpy core provides moisture and heat exchange without moving parts.
Very low risk of cross‑contamination and reduced maintenance compared with rotary wheels.
$1,200-2,500 CAD