At a Glance
Pros
- Provides balanced ventilation in cold regions
- Recovers heat to reduce energy loss
- Multiple airflow and control options
- Respected brand among HVAC pros
Cons
- Does not recover moisture like an ERV
- Professional installation and commissioning required
- Upfront costs are higher than simple exhaust-only systems
Key Specifications
You'll Love This Product If...
Ideal for tight, well-insulated homes in colder climates where you want continuous fresh air without throwing away all your heating energy.
You Might Want to Skip This If...
Less suitable for hot, humid climates where moisture recovery (ERV) matters more than just heat recovery.
How This Product Affects Your Indoor Air Quality
An HRV is a key part of a cold-climate high-performance home. It pairs especially well with efficient heating systems, tight envelopes, and good filtration to create comfortable, healthy indoor environments.
How We Tested This Product
In proper installations, HRVs like the Flex 100 maintain consistent indoor humidity in winter while keeping CO2 and pollutant levels lower than in exhaust-only homes.
Alternatives to Consider
Broan AI Series Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)
by Broan
Advanced whole-home ERV designed to provide continuous balanced ventilation with smart controls for modern, airtight homes.
$1,500–$3,000 (equipment only)
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)
Final Verdict
The Fantech Flex HRV is a residential heat recovery ventilator designed to bring in fresh air while capturing heat from outgoing air in cold climates.