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Understand what an ERV actually does
An energy recovery ventilator exhausts stale indoor air and supplies an equal amount of fresh, filtered outdoor air — and as the two streams pass each other, it hands most of the heat and some of the moisture back to the incoming air. That is why a tightly sealed modern home can breathe without throwing away the energy you paid to heat or cool. Ten minutes here saves you from every wrong turn further down the path.
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Choose between an ERV and an HRV
Both swap stale air for fresh air while recovering heat. An HRV moves heat only; an ERV also transfers moisture, so winter air does not go bone-dry and summer humidity stays outside. For most modern, tightly built homes in mixed climates the ERV wins, which is why every UpgradeAirKit is built around the LifeBreath MAX XTR ERV. See how both stack up against exhaust fans, open windows and your existing HVAC before you commit.
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See what the installation really involves
Before you size anything, look at the job end to end: where the unit hangs, how the supply and exhaust runs reach each room, the two exterior hoods, the condensate drain and the electrical connection. New builds and retrofits take different routes, and knowing which one you are on changes what you order. If you would rather have it worked out for you, send us your plans and our fresh-air specialists come back with the system your home needs.
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Get your room-by-room airflow numbers
Every sizing decision — and every plan reviewer — runs on the same two figures: how much fresh air the home needs in CFM, and how many rooms that air has to reach. Enter each room's area and ceiling height and the calculator returns air changes per hour, CFM per room, the manifold port count and the matching ERV as you type. Print the one-page sheet for your permit file or download the filled Excel workbook.
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Choose the kit that matches your home
Kits are sold by port count, so the port number from step 4 points straight at the right box. Each one ships complete — the LifeBreath MAX XTR ERV plus the distribution parts that go with it — with tech support included.
- LifeBreath 4-Port ERV Kitsmallest homes, condos and additions
- LifeBreath 6-Port ERV Kittypical small-to-mid single-family homes
- LifeBreath 8-Port ERV Kitmid-size homes with several bedrooms
- LifeBreath 10-Port ERV Kitlarger family homes
- LifeBreath 12-Port ERV Kitlarge homes that need fresh air in many rooms at once
Getting started — common questions
Where should I start if I have never installed an ERV before?
Start with how the appliance works, then narrow to your home. Read the ERV basics section of our Air Quality Guide, compare an ERV against an HRV for your climate, then get your room-by-room airflow numbers from the CFM table. Once you know your required airflow and port count, the kit that fits is obvious — and if you would rather skip the arithmetic, upload your plans and our fresh-air specialists size it for you at no cost.
How do I know what size ERV my home needs?
Sizing comes down to two numbers: the total fresh airflow your home needs in CFM, and how many rooms that air has to reach. Our CFM table calculator takes each room's area and ceiling height and returns air changes per hour, CFM per room, the manifold port count, and the matching ERV. Kits are sold by port count — 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 ports — so the port number from the calculator points straight at the right kit.
Do I need a CFM table for my building permit?
Most plan reviewers in jurisdictions that enforce a modern mechanical or energy code ask for a room-by-room ventilation schedule showing design airflow. That is exactly what our CFM table produces: a one-page sheet with air changes per hour and CFM per room that you can print and submit, or download as a filled Excel workbook. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so confirm the format with your local building department before you submit.
Can I install a bedroom ERV system kit myself?
Every UpgradeAirKit ships as a complete system — the LifeBreath MAX XTR ERV plus the ducting, room ports and manifold that go with it — so a confident DIY installer with basic sheet-metal and electrical skills can put one in. Tech support is included with every kit, and many owners hand the final electrical connection and commissioning to a licensed trade. If you are unsure, call us at 303-775-3139 before you order.
Still not sure where you land?
Let us do the sizing for you
Upload your planset or a few photos and our fresh-air specialists come back with the system your home needs — no cost, no obligation. Or skip ahead and browse the kits by port count.