We have an ERV; it was required by the building code for our very tight, new home. I have no problems with it, and understand its purpose, but have never compared having it on with having it off. It supposedly reduces your energy use in the winter because it transfers some of the heat in the air its exhausting to the outside air its bringing in. We do have hardwood floors which were finished on site and, of course, wall paint; have never noticed any odors from either.

I do wonder if I should turn it off in the summer, since I have no air conditioning. My house is very well insulated and it keeps fairly cool, especially in the basement, so why should I exhaust that cooler air when it is 100° outside?