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Hi I live in Ottawa Ontario,

I'm deciding between an HRV vs ERV.

I've read an HRV may bring too much humidity in the summer, and with Ottawa's
bone dry periods, too dry air in the winter. So I first decide on an ERV.

But then I read an ERV can retain too much humidity in winters if you have wet winters.
Historically Ottawa has had bone dry winters but the last few years there have been
longer wet periods. So it's BOTH humid cold and dry extreme cold.

Also I live in a row house which is relatively small,
(my basement is 19.5 feet wide, 40.5 feet long)
There is just a little condensation on some windows in winter.
It's hard to tell if humidity is much of a problem.

So I feel there's a risk either way.

Is it a bad idea to get an ERV, and a whole house dehumidifier
 and run them at the same time?  Is that a good idea for Ottawa?

Thanks, Eric.

Some builders have switched to using ERV's in Ottawa.  I would chose an ERV over and HRV for ventilation.

In the winter moisture on windows is sometimes unavoidable when the outdoor temperature swings drastically.  For the most part we need to add humidity in the winter, and most people use a humidifier. 

In the summer we use an AC to reduce the humidity, so if you had a properly sized AC I would say a whole-house dehumidifier is overkill.

If your only concern is with dehumidifying, a whole house dehumidifier installed with a fresh air intake duct, would also have the benefit of ventilation so an ERV may not be something you need.  Just make sure you specify that you want the fresh air duct installed with the whole-house dehumidifier as that is an option, and not required.

If you are a middle unit sometimes adding an ERV or the fresh air duct for a whole-house dehumidifier can be challenging as there are Code clearance requirements to existing vents.

Thanks for the assurance on the ERV.

I should clarify, my moisture concerns are just secondary to getting an HRV/ERV installed, it's just what I've been reading about as far as complications go.

I want the ventilation from the ERV for both the heat and moisture exchange properties that a fresh air intake on just the dehumidifier wouldn't provide.

The dehumidifier would be to cover me during wetter periods, when it's still in heat mode.

Ottawa has had extended wet springs and wetter early winters in the past few years, when the AC isn't on, so the dehumidifier would be for select seasons...under the assumption that in my small home that need could arise.

So if I wanted both, it wouldn't be a mistake to combine the two?

I could just not get a fresh air intake on it, as that might be too much unconditioned air cumming in.

Also, if it doesn't bother my contractor, I could get the ERV first, and then tell him I might want to install the dehumidifier later? Unless those need to be done at once?

Thanks again.

You could install both and not have issues.  Look into this combo system,

https://buildequinox.com/thesystem/

That's an interesting model, I will ask my technician about the Equinox also.

I was actually wondering if I could ask you about another model, without starting another thread.

I was shown this 'PANASONIC FV-10VEC2' by a technician. I've also read about this unit on a site that was very glowing.

 I couldn't tell if it was sponsored or not.

The manual says it was made for -30 climates, and won't freeze in Ontario winters.

But isn't that implicating that any other system won't work in Ontario? 

I'm wondering if that's a self-serving claim or not.

As in, is this PANASONIC really the only model that won't freeze up in -30? Or are there other brands, that are just as good for that? I figured everyone in town with an HRV can't have it stop working as soon as it gets cold.

The manual says it can stop operating once it hits -30. Is that really any better than another model that will stop working under the same circumstances?

I understand you may not have heard of this model.

PANASONIC Manual PDF

Thanks for any feedback.