Master the Certified Energy Auditor Exam 2026 – Power Up Your Energy Audit Skills!

An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is designed to enhance indoor air quality by exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, while simultaneously recovering energy from the outgoing air stream. This process helps to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, reduces energy costs, and improves overall energy efficiency within a building.

By transferring heat (and in some cases humidity) from the outgoing air to the incoming air, the ERV minimizes the energy required for heating or cooling fresh air that enters the space. This is particularly beneficial in climates with significant temperature differences between indoor and outdoor air, as it helps reduce the load on HVAC systems.

In contrast, other options relate to different functionalities. For instance, a type of heater is focused solely on heating, and while important, does not address air exchange or energy recovery. Measuring energy consumption is unrelated to air exchange and focuses on the monitoring aspect of energy use, rather than improving air quality. Lastly, filtering and purifying indoor air deals with air cleanliness but does not involve the energy recovery process integral to an ERV's function. Thus, option A captures the essence of what an energy recovery ventilator does.