ERV

Science & Engineering abbreviation · Engineering

ERV
Stands forEnergy recovery ventilator
CategoriesScience & Engineering

ERV stands for Energy recovery ventilator, an engineering abbreviation.

Ventilation unit that brings fresh outdoor air into a building while exhausting stale air, transferring heat and moisture between the two streams through a core so little conditioning energy is lost. ERVs are common in airtight, energy-efficient homes.

Example: The airtight house uses an ERV to supply fresh air without losing most of the heat.

Usage notes

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) transfers heat only, while an ERV also transfers humidity, which suits hot, humid climates and very cold, dry ones. Passive House designs depend on high-efficiency ventilation with heat recovery. Filters must be cleaned regularly.

More engineering abbreviations

  • DFA – Design for assembly
  • DFM – Design for manufacturing
  • ECN – Engineering change notice
  • ECO – Engineering change order
  • EIT – Engineer in Training
  • EPC – Engineering, procurement and construction
  • FAT – Factory acceptance test
  • FCAW – Flux-cored arc welding
  • FE – Fundamentals of Engineering (exam)
  • FEA – Finite element analysis
  • FEM – Finite element method
  • FMEA – Failure mode and effects analysis

See all 79 engineering abbreviations →