Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV/ERV) Guide
Centralised and Decentralised HRV/ERV Systems
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems play a critical role in delivering healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes — particularly as buildings become more airtight and better insulated. When fresh air can no longer enter a home naturally through gaps and leakage, ventilation must be carefully designed to maintain indoor air quality without compromising thermal performance.
HRV & ERV Ventilation Guide
This guide has been created to explain how modern HRV and ERV systems work, how they differ, and how to choose the right solution for your home. It covers both centralised and decentralised ventilation systems and focuses on real-world performance, proven technology, and independently verified components.
This guide has been created to help homeowners understand:
- What is ventilation and why does it matter in modern, airtight homes
- HRV vs ERV systems, including how heat recovery and energy recovery cores differ
- Which system to choose — HRV or ERV, based on climate, occupancy, and comfort requirements
- Centralised ventilation systems, how they work, and key considerations for installation
- The Brink Flair range of HRV and ERV systems
- Why Passive House Institute certification is critical
- What is Constant Flow and why does it matter
- Ubbink Air Excellent ductwork for centralised HRV/ERV systems, the most advanced radial ductwork system on the market
- Why ductwork matters more than the ventilation unit
- Why does ductwork airtightness matter
- Decentralised ventilation systems, how they differ from centralised solutions, and when they are the right choice
- Why the LUNOS range is considered the market-leading solution for decentralised ventilation
Whether you’re building new, renovating, or upgrading an existing home, this guide is designed to give you the clarity needed to choose a ventilation system that delivers genuine indoor air quality, comfort, and long-term performance.
What is Ventilation?
Ventilation is the controlled introduction of fresh outdoor air into an indoor space. Its primary purpose is to improve indoor air quality by diluting and removing pollutants such as carbon dioxide, odours, and moisture. In addition to enhancing air quality, ventilation also plays a role in regulating indoor temperature, humidity, and airflow — all of which contribute to thermal comfort and overall satisfaction with the indoor environment.
At Fresh Ventilation, we supply a range of heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems and energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems designed to improve indoor air quality, reduce energy consumption, and support healthier living environments across Australia. Whether you're building new or retrofitting an existing space, we offer both centralised and decentralised HRV/ERV solutions to suit every need.
HRV vs ERV
What is Heat Recovery Ventilation?
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems are designed to improve indoor air quality while reducing energy loss. They work by extracting stale, polluted air from inside your home or building and replacing it with a continuous supply of fresh, filtered outdoor air. As the two air streams pass through the HRV unit, heat from the outgoing air is transferred to the incoming air — meaning you keep the warmth in winter (or coolth in summer) and reduce energy use. HRV systems are ideal for well-insulated, airtight buildings where natural airflow is limited, helping to prevent condensation, mould, and poor indoor air quality.
- Higher heat recovery efficiency (up to 92% *PHI).
- Recovers heat only.
- Ideal for cool Australian climates where heating demands are prominent.
What is Energy Recovery Ventilation?
Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems work similarly to HRV systems, but with an added benefit — they also transfer moisture between the incoming and outgoing air streams. This means they can help regulate indoor humidity levels, making ERV systems especially useful in climates where excess moisture or dry air is a concern. ERV systems are designed to maintain a comfortable and balanced indoor environment year-round by recovering both heat and moisture. They are well suited for homes and buildings where managing humidity is just as important as maintaining fresh air and energy efficiency.
- Slightly lower heat recovery efficiency (up to 86% *PHI).
- Recovers both heat and moisture.
- Ideal for humid Australian climates where mechanical dehumidification is necessary.
How Do HRV Cores Work?
Working Principle of HRV Core in Winter
During winter a HRV core recovers heat from the outgoing stale air, without transferring any moisture.
HRVs are particularly well suited to cold, dry climates where the absolute humidity outdoors is low, and moisture is more of a problem indoors than outdoors. In these conditions, homes tend to build up indoor humidity from daily activities like cooking, showering and breathing. A HRV core balances this by bringing in dry, fresh air while exhausting excess indoor humidity, helping prevent condensation and mould growth, and keeping the indoor environment healthier and more comfortable.
Working Principle of HRV Core in Summer
During summer a HRV core recovers coolth from the outgoing stale air, without transferring any moisture.
Because HRVs do not recover or reject moisture, they are not ideal for warm, humid climates. In such conditions, they can actually introduce more humidity into the home, since indoor air is usually less humid than outdoor air (especially if air conditioners are in use). HRVs are best suited to climates where summer air tends to be hot but relatively dry, because in those conditions the lack of moisture transfer is outweighed by the increased heat recovery efficiency.
How Do ERV Cores Work?
Working Principle of ERV Core in Winter
During winter an ERV core recovers heat from the outgoing stale air, while also transferring a portion of the indoor humidity back into the incoming supply air.
This dual exchange means the ERV not only reduces heating losses but also helps to retain moisture indoors. ERVs are therefore particularly useful in cold climates where outdoor absolute humidity is very low and indoor humidity levels would otherwise drop too far. The result is a more comfortable and balanced indoor environment, with fresh air, warmth, and healthier humidity levels.
Working Principle of ERV Core in Summer
During summer an ERV core recovers coolth from the outgoing stale air, while also rejecting a portion of the outdoor humidity back into the outgoing stale air.
ERV cores are best suited to hot, humid summer climates, such as coastal regions or areas that experience tropical summers. In these conditions, the outside air is not only hot but also carries a high absolute humidity. Without moisture control, bringing in this fresh air would quickly raise indoor humidity, making the home feel sticky, uncomfortable, and harder to cool. ERV cores transfer both heat and a portion of the moisture between the exhaust and supply air streams. This means the incoming hot, humid air is not only partially cooled by the cooler exhaust air, but also loses some of its moisture before entering the home.
Brink Flair HRV & ERV Ventilation Systems
The Brink Flair range is one of the most advanced residential ventilation systems available worldwide. Designed and manufactured in the Netherlands, Brink Flair systems deliver outstanding indoor air quality, ultra-quiet operation, and exceptional energy efficiency — making them ideal for airtight homes, energy-efficient new builds, renovations, and Passivhaus Certified projects.
At Fresh Ventilation, we stock the full Brink Flair range:
- Flair 225
- Flair 325
- Flair 400
- Flair 600
All models are available as HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) or ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation) units, and in both left-hand and right-hand configurations, allowing the system to be perfectly matched to your duct layout and installation constraints.
Passivhaus Certified Heat & Energy Recovery Ventilation for High-Performance Homes
All Brink Flair HRV and ERV systems are certified by the Passive House Institute (PHI) and listed in the official Passive House component database. This certification represents independent, third-party verification that the unit meets some of the most demanding performance requirements in the world for use in extremely energy-efficient and airtight buildings.
For a HRV or ERV, PHI certification is far more than a label. It confirms that the published performance data has been rigorously tested, verified, and deemed reliable for use in Passive House design and certification. This gives designers, builders, and homeowners confidence that the system will perform in real buildings exactly as specified — not just under ideal laboratory conditions.
To receive PHI certification, a HRV unit must meet specific, stringent requirements related to energy demand, efficiency, and thermal comfort:
- Heat Recovery Efficiency: The unit must achieve a minimum heat recovery rate of 75%.
- Specific Energy Demand: The electricity consumption of the fan motors must not exceed 0.45 Wh/m³.
- Air Leakage Rate: Internal and external air leakage must be minimal, specifically less than 3% of the average airflow.
- Thermal Comfort: The system must ensure a specific minimum supply air temperature (≥ 16.5 °C at −10 °C outdoor temperature) to maintain comfort without requiring significant additional heating.
- Acoustic Performance: The declared acoustic performance is also evaluated.
Benefits of Passive House Institute Certification
- Quality Assurance: The certification seal is a mark of extremely high quality, ensuring the product contributes effectively to the high standards of a Passive House building.
- Reliable Performance Data: The performance data is verified through independent third-party testing, cutting through manufacturer claims and providing accurate values for use in design models.
- Simplified Design and Building Certification: PHI-certified components are pre-loaded into the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software used for modeling building energy use. Using certified components streamlines the building certification process, as their performance values are automatically accepted without requiring additional field verification.
- Energy Savings: These units are designed to be highly efficient, often two to three times more efficient than standard code-compliant products, which is crucial for meeting the minimal energy targets of a Passive House.
In short, Passive House Institute certification confirms that Brink Flair HRV and ERV systems are not just high-quality ventilation units, but proven, independently verified components suitable for the most demanding energy-efficient buildings in the world.
Premium EC Motors by ebm-papst
Every Brink Flair unit is powered by high-quality EC motors manufactured by ebm-papst. These motors are globally recognised for their efficiency, reliability, and quiet operation.
The use of EC motor technology allows:
- Very low electrical consumption
- Smooth, quiet fan operation
- Precise airflow control
- Long service life, even under continuous operation
This ensures stable airflow delivery across a wide operating range, even in complex or high-resistance ducted systems.
Advanced Connectivity and Control
The Brink Flair Plus versions add a powerful layer of advanced connectivity and control, making them ideal for modern homes, smart homes, and automation-driven projects.
Flair Plus systems include LAN and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling internet-based monitoring and app control. This allows homeowners and professionals to view system status, adjust settings, monitor performance, and receive alerts remotely.
For building automation and system integration, the Plus models also provide:
- 0–10 V inputs and outputs for external sensors and controllers
- Switching contacts for demand-based operation and external triggers
- Modbus communication for integration with home automation systems and building management platforms
These features allow ventilation to respond automatically to CO₂ levels, humidity, occupancy, schedules, or wider smart-home logic — ensuring optimal air quality with minimal energy use.
Constant Flow
All Brink Flair HRV and ERV systems feature Constant Flow technology. Constant Flow ensures the system continuously delivers the correct, pre-set volume of fresh air supply and stale air exhaust, regardless of changes in system resistance.
Rather than running at a fixed fan speed, Constant Flow uses internal sensors to monitor pressure changes within the ductwork. As factors such as dirty filters, closed dampers, or changes in duct resistance occur, the system automatically adjusts fan speed to maintain stable airflow.
This provides several key benefits:
- Consistent indoor air quality, with reliable fresh air delivery at all times
- Balanced ventilation, ensuring supply and extract airflows remain matched
- Efficient heat recovery, as the heat exchanger operates at its designed performance point
- Improved comfort and energy savings, without over-ventilating or under-ventilating
By preventing airflow drop-off as conditions change, Constant Flow eliminates stale air, maintains system efficiency, and ensures the ventilation system performs as intended over its entire service life.
Why Choose Brink Flair from Fresh Ventilation?
- Full HRV and ERV range stocked locally
- Passive House Institute certified systems listed in the official database
- Premium ebm-papst EC motor technology
- Flair Plus models with advanced connectivity and automation
- Left and right configurations available
- Full range of genuine replacement filters and spare parts
- Expert system design, sizing, and support
- Real-world installation experience across Australia
- We provide after-sales support and service that is second to none
- Access to Ubbink Air Excellent, the only semi-rigid ductwork system on the market certified to ATC1 airtightness (tested up to +/- 1000 Pa) and independently tested and certified by both TÜV SÜD and ISEGA
We don’t just sell ventilation units — we design complete systems that perform as intended.
Ubbink Air Excellent Ventilation Ductwork
The Ubbink Air Excellent range is widely regarded as the benchmark for radial ventilation ductwork — and for good reason. It is the only ventilation ductwork system independently tested and certified to ATC1 airtightness, with testing carried out at ±1000 Pa, well beyond the pressures encountered in real-world HRV and ERV installations.
In addition, Air Excellent is the only ventilation ductwork system tested and certified by TÜV SÜD and ISEGA, and is REACH compliant, providing independent verification not only of airtightness but also of material safety, hygiene, and long-term suitability for residential ventilation systems.
Air Excellent ducts and components are manufactured with anti-static and antimicrobial properties, helping to reduce dust build-up, improve hygiene, and maintain long-term indoor air quality. The system is engineered for exceptionally low resistance, resulting in significantly lower duct pressures than competing radial ductwork systems. Every component in the Air Excellent system is designed to work together, with the clear objective of minimising air resistance across the entire installation.
Installing a HRV or ERV system with Ubbink Air Excellent will help your ventilation unit to perform just as well as the manufacturer claims it will.
Decentralised Ventilation Systems
Decentralised ventilation consists of multiple smaller ventilation units that are installed in targeted locations throughout a home.
Counterflow decentralised HRV/ERV systems, such as the LUNOS Nexxt-E, operate using two fans and a central counterflow heat exchanger core. Unlike alternating push-pull decentralised units (with one fan per unit), which reverse direction every 40–90 seconds, these systems maintain constant two-way airflow, much like larger centralised HRV/ERV systems. One fan continuously draws in fresh outside air while the other simultaneously exhausts stale indoor air, with both air streams passing through the counterflow core. This design allows for efficient heat (and, in the case of ERV, moisture) transfer between the outgoing and incoming air, providing balanced ventilation, improved comfort, and quieter operation without creating pressure imbalances in the room.
Smaller decentralised “push-pull” units, such as the LUNOS e²60 or Stiebel Eltron VLR 70, work on a reversing cycle rather than continuous two-way flow. Each unit has a single fan and a ceramic/plastic/metal thermal accumulator. During the exhaust phase, warm stale indoor air is blown out through the core, charging it with heat (and some moisture in the case of ERV-type ceramics). After a set period — typically around 70 seconds — the fan reverses direction, drawing in fresh outdoor air. As the air passes back through the warmed core, much of the stored heat is transferred to the incoming supply air. By pairing two units to run in opposite phases, a balanced supply and extract airflow can be achieved across a dwelling, providing effective heat recovery and fresh air without the need for ductwork.
Decentralised ventilation is perfect for apartments and spaces with limited access. It is also popular for renovation or retrofit as there’s no need to run ducting. This aspect makes decentralised ventilation an excellent solution to solve immediate room-specific problems such as mould or condensation issues in a bedroom or living area. Decentralised units can be easily fitted without any real structural modifications — a simple hole in the wall install — solving immediate climate issues.
Best for: Apartments, retrofits, room-by-room upgrades.
Decentralised HRV/ERV units are compact systems installed in individual rooms, with no ductwork required. They recover heat from the outgoing air to pre-condition the incoming air, making them ideal for spaces where centralised systems are impractical. They are perfect when space or access is limited but ventilation is still essential.
Key Benefits:
- No ducting needed — easy to retrofit.
- Improves air quality in high-use rooms (bedrooms, offices, living areas).
- Low maintenance and energy-efficient.
- Great for apartments and townhouses.
Example System: LUNOS e²60 Series — advanced, high-performance ERV with smart controls and high-efficiency heat recovery.
LUNOS Decentralised ERV Systems
LUNOS is widely recognised as the global market leader in decentralised ventilation. Unlike many manufacturers who offer decentralised units as a secondary product line, LUNOS focuses exclusively on decentralised ventilation systems. This singular focus has made them true specialists — refining, testing, and advancing decentralised ERV technology for decades.
All LUNOS systems are designed and manufactured in Germany and are built to the highest European engineering standards. At the heart of every unit are premium EC motors manufactured by ebm-papst, ensuring ultra-low energy consumption, exceptionally quiet operation, and long-term reliability. These motors allow LUNOS systems to operate continuously and efficiently, even at very low airflow rates.
LUNOS decentralised ERV systems are designed to deliver balanced, controlled ventilation on a room-by-room basis, without the need for extensive ductwork. This makes them particularly well suited to renovations, heritage homes, apartments, and buildings where running ducting is impractical or undesirable.
By combining German manufacturing, world-class EC motor technology, and a deep specialisation in decentralised ventilation, LUNOS has set the benchmark for performance, efficiency, and reliability. For projects where decentralised ventilation is the right solution, LUNOS is the only choice.
