At a Glance
Pros
- Whole-home balanced ventilation
- Recovers both heat and moisture
- Advanced smart controls in many models
- Helps meet mechanical ventilation code requirements
Cons
- Equipment and install costs are significant
- Requires ducting and professional design
- Must be commissioned correctly to avoid imbalance
Key Specifications
You'll Love This Product If...
Best suited for new builds or major retrofits targeting high-performance, airtight homes where continuous fresh air is part of the design from day one.
You Might Want to Skip This If...
Not a quick retrofit for older, leaky homes unless you’re already upgrading ductwork.
How This Product Affects Your Indoor Air Quality
Whole-home ERVs are foundational IAQ equipment in tight houses. They don’t replace filtration or dehumidification, but they dramatically improve baseline air quality by continuously diluting indoor pollutants.
How We Tested This Product
When balanced and commissioned correctly, ERVs like the Broan AI provide stable fresh air without noticeable drafts or large energy penalties.
Alternatives to Consider
Panasonic WhisperComfort ERV
by Panasonic
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) designed for spot-balanced ventilation in tight homes, exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while transferring heat and moisture.
$500–$900 (equipment only)
Fantech Flex 100 HRV or Similar Residential HRV
by Fantech
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) designed to provide fresh air to tight homes while exhausting stale air and recovering heat.
$1,200–$2,500 (equipment only)
Final Verdict
The Broan AI Series ERV is a full-size energy recovery ventilator designed to provide whole-home balanced ventilation in modern, airtight homes.