What is the average cost to install an ERV system in a Toronto house?

An ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) installation in a Toronto home costs $3,000 to $6,000, including the unit, dedicated ductwork, electrical connections, exterior intake and exhaust terminations, balancing, and commissioning. If your home already has existing ERV or HRV ductwork from a previous unit, a replacement drops to $1,500 to $3,500 since the ductwork is already in place.

An ERV is a mechanical ventilation system that brings fresh outdoor air into your home while exhausting stale indoor air — but unlike simply opening a window, it transfers both heat and moisture between the two airstreams. In winter, the ERV captures heat from the warm outgoing air and transfers it to the cold incoming air, dramatically reducing the energy cost of ventilation. In summer, it works in reverse — the incoming hot, humid outdoor air transfers its heat and moisture to the outgoing cooled indoor air before entering your home. This moisture transfer is what distinguishes an ERV from an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) and makes it the preferred choice for Toronto homes with air conditioning.

Why an ERV rather than an HRV for most GTA homes? Toronto's summers are increasingly hot and humid, with humidex values regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. An HRV transfers heat but not moisture, meaning it brings in outdoor humidity during summer — exactly what your air conditioning system is working to remove. An ERV transfers both heat and moisture, reducing the humidity load on your AC and improving indoor comfort. For homes that rely on air conditioning from June through September, the ERV's moisture transfer capability delivers meaningful energy savings and better indoor air quality.

The installation cost breaks down as follows. The ERV unit itself ranges from $1,200 to $3,000 depending on capacity (measured in CFM), efficiency rating, and brand. Dedicated supply and exhaust ductwork — running from the unit to various rooms in your home — costs $800 to $2,000 depending on how many pickup and delivery points are installed and the complexity of routing. Electrical connections for the unit and controls require an ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractor, adding $300 to $600. Two exterior wall or roof penetrations for fresh air intake and stale air exhaust, with proper weatherproof terminations and screens, add $200 to $500. Professional balancing and commissioning — adjusting airflow rates to match the home's ventilation needs — should be included in every installation.

Sizing matters significantly. An undersized ERV will not provide adequate ventilation, while an oversized unit wastes energy and may create uncomfortable drafts. Ontario Building Code and ASHRAE 62.2 provide ventilation rate guidelines based on home size and occupancy. A typical 2,000 square foot GTA home with three bedrooms needs approximately 100 to 150 CFM of continuous ventilation. Your contractor should perform a ventilation calculation rather than guessing at unit size.

For older Toronto homes without existing ventilation ductwork — common in pre-war and post-war housing across established neighbourhoods — the installation is more involved and typically lands at the higher end of the cost range. The dedicated ERV ductwork needs to be routed to bedrooms, living areas, and common spaces, with exhaust pickups in bathrooms and the kitchen.

Get matched with HVAC contractors experienced in ERV installations through Toronto Ductwork and the Toronto Construction Network directory.