An air-to-air heat exchanger system typically costs $2,000-$5,500 installed in a U.S. home, with many standard projects near $3,500. The final price depends on whether the project is a new HRV or ERV installation or a replacement, the ductwork needed, system capacity, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete HRV or ERV installation | $2,000 | $3,500 | $7,500 | Higher end includes extensive retrofit ductwork |
| Equipment only | $600 | $1,300 | $3,000 | Capacity and controls affect price |
| Replacement with usable ducts | $1,200 | $2,500 | $4,500 | Includes removal and reconnection |
| Service or repair visit | $150 | $300 | $700 | Parts or major repairs may add cost |
What a Whole-Home HRV or ERV Installation Usually Costs
For a typical 1,500-2,500-square-foot home, a complete heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) installation commonly runs $2,000-$5,500. This estimate assumes a midrange unit, ordinary access, standard controls, and a moderate amount of duct connection work. A new system in a home without suitable ventilation ducts can exceed $7,500.
Equipment prices alone often fall between $600 and $3,000. A smaller, basic unit may serve a compact home, while a higher-capacity model with quieter operation, advanced controls, or enhanced filtration costs more. The installed estimate also covers labor, mounting, electrical connection, duct transitions, airflow balancing, and testing.
For a straightforward replacement, the existing duct layout can keep the total well below a first-time retrofit. An installer may charge $1,200-$4,500 to replace a unit when ducts, wiring, and exterior penetrations are in good condition. An HRV transfers heat between incoming and outgoing air; an ERV also transfers some moisture, which can affect the best system choice and equipment quote.
Assumptions: U.S. midmarket labor rates, standard residential equipment, normal access, and no major electrical or structural upgrades.
How Equipment, Ductwork, and Labor Shape the Quote
A contractor’s price is not just the heat exchanger cabinet. The table below shows typical portions of a whole-home project; individual quotes may group these charges differently, and complex retrofits can push labor and ductwork above these ranges.
| Cost component | Typical price | What it covers | Cost condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| HRV or ERV equipment | $600-$3,000 | Core unit, fans, basic controls | Higher capacity and quieter models cost more |
| Labor | $700-$2,000 | Mounting, connections, balancing, testing | More time for tight or finished spaces |
| Ductwork and fittings | $300-$2,000 | Branches, plenums, dampers, insulated ducts | Most variable in retrofit installations |
| Electrical and controls | $150-$700 | Power connection, wall control, wiring | New circuit or control upgrades add expense |
| Removal and disposal | $100-$400 | Old equipment removal and hauling | May be bundled into replacement labor |
| Permit or inspection | $0-$500 | Local application and inspection charges | Depends on city and scope |
Labor is often billed as part of a project quote, but a useful planning rate is $75-$150 per technician-hour. A simple replacement may take 4-8 hours; a new installation with duct routing can take 1-3 workdays.
Duct alterations are often the largest source of uncertainty in an otherwise standard equipment quote. Ask whether the proposal includes balancing and commissioning, not just installation. Poor airflow setup can leave rooms under-ventilated or create unnecessary noise even when the equipment is correctly sized.
Why Home Size, Airflow Capacity, and Duct Runs Change Price
System capacity is commonly stated in cubic feet per minute (CFM). A compact home may need a unit around 100-150 CFM, while larger homes or higher ventilation requirements can call for 200-300 CFM or more. Equipment for a smaller application may cost $600-$1,500; higher-capacity residential models often run $1,500-$3,000 before installation.
Home size is a starting point, not a complete sizing method. Occupancy, bedroom count, airtightness, local ventilation requirements, and existing heating and cooling ducts all influence the design. A quote that selects equipment solely from square footage may miss room-by-room airflow needs or noise limits.
Duct length and routing also matter. A short connection to existing, suitable ducts can keep added ductwork near $300-$800. Running new insulated branches through finished ceilings, multiple floors, or a crowded attic can add $1,000-$3,000 or more. Exterior wall or roof penetrations, fire stopping, and difficult access can raise labor further.
When the design requires more than 200 CFM or several long duct branches, compare the specified airflow and duct plan—not just the unit price. Ask for the model number, rated airflow, included controls, and any assumptions about existing ducts. For a replacement, verify that the new unit’s airflow and connection locations match the old system before approving a low equipment-only quote.
Regional Labor Rates and Retrofit Conditions Across the U.S.
Local labor and housing conditions can shift installed pricing. Large metropolitan areas in the Northeast, West Coast, and parts of the Mountain West may run roughly 10%-25% above a national midrange estimate. Smaller markets in the Midwest and South may come in 5%-15% below it, although local contractor availability and travel charges can narrow that difference.
These percentages are planning comparisons, not guaranteed regional price rules. A high-cost city with easy access and existing ducts can still have a lower quote than a rural home requiring a long technician trip and custom ductwork. Climate can influence whether an HRV or ERV is recommended, but it does not automatically determine the installation charge.
In a new build or major renovation, installers may coordinate duct routes before walls and ceilings are closed. That can reduce retrofit labor and finish repairs, but the system still needs properly sized ducts and balancing. In an occupied home, access through finished surfaces can add $500-$2,000 when openings, patching, or rerouting are necessary.
Compare local quotes against the same scope and system capacity before treating a regional price gap as a bargain. Confirm whether the price includes sales tax, permit fees, exterior hoods, insulated duct runs, and drywall repair. Those items may be excluded from a base bid and can explain a seemingly large difference between contractors.
Three Home Scenarios With Realistic Installed Prices
The examples below illustrate how scope changes the total. They use representative U.S. pricing rather than fixed national rates; actual bids depend on the equipment model, access, and local labor.
| Project scenario | Scope and labor | Estimated total | Approximate rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like replacement | 150 CFM unit, existing ducts reused, 5-7 labor hours | $1,500-$2,800 | $10-$19 per CFM of rated capacity |
| Moderate retrofit | 200 CFM unit, several new branches, 12-18 labor hours | $3,200-$5,500 | $16-$28 per CFM |
| Large, difficult retrofit | 250-300 CFM unit, long insulated runs, 20-30 labor hours | $5,500-$8,500 | $18-$34 per CFM |
In the first scenario, the lower price assumes compatible connections and no electrical upgrades. The moderate retrofit includes additional duct materials and airflow setup. The large project may involve multiple floors, restricted access, upgraded controls, or finish work. The per-CFM figures are comparison aids only; they do not replace a design based on required ventilation rates.
A project total is easiest to evaluate when the quote separates equipment, ductwork, labor, and exclusions. Ask each bidder to price the same capacity and scope so that a lower total does not simply reflect omitted branches, balancing, or removal.
Old-Unit Removal, Electrical Work, and Other Add-On Charges
Replacing an existing heat exchanger may include removal, but some estimates list it separately at $100-$400. Disposal can cost more if the old unit is difficult to extract or local rules require special handling. Confirm whether the contractor will remove the old cabinet, cap unused ducts, and haul away packaging.
Electrical work can add $150-$700 for a new control, wiring, or a nearby power connection. If the equipment needs a new circuit or panel work, costs may rise to $500-$1,500, depending on distance and panel capacity. Duct insulation, exterior hoods, backdraft dampers, condensate routing, and upgraded filters can add another $100-$800 in combination.
Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction and project scope. A basic replacement may not require the same approvals as new ventilation ductwork or electrical changes. When applicable, permit and inspection costs may range from $50 to $500, while associated code corrections can be higher.
Get add-ons identified before work begins, especially electrical changes and access-related repairs. A written estimate should state what happens if the installer finds damaged ducts, an undersized circuit, or an unsuitable exterior termination. This makes the total budget more dependable than relying on a single base price.
How to Lower the Installed Price Without Undersizing the System
Keep the project scope clear before requesting bids. If an existing system works, ask whether the unit can be replaced without changing ducts or controls. Reusing sound, correctly sized components can avoid several hundred to a few thousand dollars in unnecessary work, but old or contaminated ducts may not be worth preserving.
Request at least three itemized quotes using the same airflow target and equipment features. Compare model numbers, duct lengths, included controls, balancing, permits, disposal, and warranty terms. A quote $1,000 below competitors may be reasonable, but it should not omit commissioning or use a lower-capacity unit without explaining why.
Choose features based on the home’s needs. A basic control may be adequate where occupants can set ventilation manually; advanced humidity sensing, premium filtration, or app controls can add $100-$600 or more. Avoid paying for an upgrade that duplicates an existing thermostat or ventilation control.
Scheduling installation alongside other HVAC or renovation work can reduce repeat visits and access costs. However, bundling does not guarantee a discount, so compare the bundled price with separate line items. Homeowners can clear access to the mechanical area and attic before the crew arrives, but should leave electrical, refrigerant, and ventilation-system work to qualified tradespeople.
Preserve the required airflow and commissioning while trimming optional controls, duplicate visits, and avoidable duct changes. A low bid that sacrifices correct sizing or balanced airflow can create comfort and ventilation problems that cost more to diagnose later.
Repair or Replace an HRV Core, Fan, or Complete Unit
A service call for diagnosis and minor adjustment often costs $150-$300. Replacing a filter, belt, sensor, or small control part may bring the bill to $200-$700, depending on part availability and labor. A fan motor or control-board repair can reach $400-$1,000, particularly when the model is older or parts are difficult to source.
Some systems allow replacement of the heat-exchange core without replacing the cabinet. A compatible core may cost roughly $300-$1,200 before labor; with service, the total can reach $500-$1,800. Compatibility, core condition, and access determine whether this is practical. A damaged cabinet, failed fans, or obsolete controls can make a full unit replacement more economical.
Compare the repair estimate with a replacement quote that includes installation and warranty. If several major components have failed, or the existing system cannot meet the home’s ventilation needs, a new HRV or ERV may offer a clearer long-term budget. Conversely, a recent unit with a single replaceable component may not justify full replacement.
Use the age, parts availability, and total repair quote—not the core price alone—to decide between repair and replacement. Ask whether the proposed repair restores rated airflow and what warranty applies to the part and labor. A diagnosis that includes airflow testing is more useful than a parts guess.