https://www.ductless-mini-split-air-conditioner.org/

There has been much discussion about whether to use an ERV or HRV in different climate zones. Recent studies have concluded that ERVs should be used in cold dry climate zones because of improved comfort, no drain required for condensation and less energy for defrost.

In the past, some manufactures have produced maps like the one below showing that HRVs should be used in cold dry climates. Using energy modeling software and looking at the energy savings and comfort benefits, a new map of where ERV or HRVs should be used has been developed.

Comfort- In cold climates the outside air that is brought into the building is dry becasue cold air holds less water vapour than warm air. When using an HRV, the humidity generated inside the building from plants and people showering and cooking is either exhausted or condensed out, leaving the building too dry.

When using an ERV, 40-60% of the humidity that would normally be exhausted is trasnferred to the fresh incoming air helping to maintian the relative humidity at a comfortable level. An ERV can also create energy savings by removing or reducing the need to operate a humidifier in the winter.

Defrost-Typically an HRV will freeze if the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius requiring some form of defrost to be used, such as a preheater which uses energy or recirculation and does not provide fresh air. A European manufacturer completed cold weather testing at a 3rd party lab and found their counter-flow ERV core started to freeze below -8C compared with the equivalent size and shape HRV at just below zero C. The lower frost point results in the ERV requiring less defrost, and thus saving energy and money.

No Drain Required-In most conditions, an ERV will not produce any condensation, therefore saving the cost of the drain pan and installing a drain. By using an ERV and avoiding drains, European manufacturers are able to install ERV units in the walls of a home, where there is no place to put a drain.

Here are a couple of the studies supporting the use of ERVs in cold climates:

The National Research Council of Canada- Residential energy-efficient moisture control through ERV

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ci-ic/article/v17n4-13

In this article it states that NRC studies showed that ERVs may have benefits over HRVs both in cold dry winters and humid summers due to ERVs having the ability to transfer moisture through membranes.

A summer field study on HRV and ERV performance for a range of summer conditions was carried out using the twin houses at the NRC Canadian Centre for Housing Technology in Ottawa. The ERV was found to provide better humidity control (i.e., providing a lower level of indoor relative humidity), as well as lower air conditioning electricity consumption, measured as the cumulative saving of 12% over a week.

A winter field study investigating the impact of ventilation rates on indoor air quality and the respiratory health of asthmatic children in Québec City was carried out in over 100 homes with the Institut national de santé publique du Québec. In a large number of homes, the relative humidity (RH) was found to be too low in winter. Because the introduction of more cold, dry outside air further reduces RH, low-RH homes were equipped with ERVs (instead of HRVs) to increase the ventilation rate. Both HRVs and ERVs performed equally in terms of providing better indoor air quality, characterized by a significant reduction in the concentration of a number of gaseous pollutants of indoor origin. However, ERVs were additionally effective in maintaining an acceptable indoor RH.