What does this energy recovery ventilator (erv) annual checklist cover?

15 items across 5 sections, covering before the teardown, core and seals, dampers and economizer, drives and balance, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The HVAC service tech on the annual, with the unit opened up and instruments on the airflows.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

Once a year, when the wheel or core can be pulled for real cleaning and the outdoor-air balance can be measured rather than assumed.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

11 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 13 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails an energy recovery ventilator (erv) annual inspection?

Recovery wheel or core wiped at the face while the depth of the media stays fouled, so recovery efficiency never comes back. Wheel perimeter and purge seals worn, letting the two airstreams cross-leak so stale exhaust air is fed back into supply. Airflow balance drifted as filters and dampers aged, leaving the building over- or under-pressurized with no one measuring it.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) annual maintenance checklist

The annual energy recovery ventilator service is the deep pass: the measurements, cleanings and tests a quarterly round doesn't reach. This checklist keeps the full service on record with the photos that make it defensible later. Work is commonly verified against IMC, manufacturer's published instructions. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Before the teardown

Recovery media type read from the nameplate before cleaning
Nameplate or manual checked for wheel or core type and media, so a washable plate, a vacuum-only membrane core or a desiccant coating gets the right cleaning method.
Every ERV feed, preheat and wheel included, locked and tagged
Start tried to prove it dead; with the media refitted, powered tests run under the procedure's temporary release (clear, guards on, locks off by their owner), then re-locked.

Core and seals

Recovery wheel or core removed and deep cleaned
Media cleaned through its depth per the manufacturer's method, not just wiped at the face, and refitted square.
Wheel and purge seals inspected and adjusted
Perimeter and purge seals checked for wear and gap, adjusted or replaced so the airstreams don't cross-leak.
Purge angle checked against the manufacturer's setting
On wheels with an adjustable purge, the purge plate set to the angle the manual gives for the design pressures; fixed cores and wheels without a purge skip this.
No photo
Wheel turned by hand for bearing drag and rim wobble
Hub bearings free and greased where fitted, and the rim running true so seal gaps stay even at every point; fixed cores skip this.
No photo
Airstream divider and cassette gaskets checked for leak paths
Partition between the two airstreams and the gaskets around the wheel cassette or core frame intact, with no gap letting exhaust air slip into supply.

Dampers and economizer

Damper actuators and economizer sequence tested
Actuators driven through their full range, economizer or bypass sequence commanded and observed, end switches and linkage confirmed.
No photo

Drives and balance

Belts, motors and bearings serviced
Belts replaced or tensioned, motor amps read against the nameplate, bearings lubricated per the manufacturer.
Supply and exhaust airflow measured and balanced
Both airflows measured and set to the design values, the building pressure relationship confirmed, readings logged for next year.
Pressures either side of the recovery section compared
Supply and exhaust static pressures at the wheel or core read with a manometer and set so any leakage runs from supply to exhaust, per the manufacturer's guidance.
Recovery effectiveness worked out after cleaning and balance
Four airstream temperatures read with airflows set, effectiveness worked out and compared with the rated or commissioning value, a step past the quarterly spot reading.

Drains and cabinet

Drain pans cleaned and cabinet checked
Pans cleaned and traps primed, cabinet interior and insulation checked for water damage or mold, access panels sealing.
Guards on, locks removed by their owner and the ERV restarted
Guards and access panels refastened, each lock and tag removed by the tech who hung it, and the unit restarted with both fans and the wheel or core in service.
Annual readings filed beside last year's for the owner
Airflows, pressures, effectiveness and seal condition recorded against last year's values, with a recommended action for anything that has slipped.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Recovery wheel or core wiped at the face while the depth of the media stays fouled, so recovery efficiency never comes back.
Wheel perimeter and purge seals worn, letting the two airstreams cross-leak so stale exhaust air is fed back into supply.
Airflow balance drifted as filters and dampers aged, leaving the building over- or under-pressurized with no one measuring it.

Verified against

IMC (mechanical code)

Common questions

6 answers

What does this energy recovery ventilator (erv) annual checklist cover?: 15 items across 5 sections, covering before the teardown, core and seals, dampers and economizer, drives and balance, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The HVAC service tech on the annual, with the unit opened up and instruments on the airflows.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: Once a year, when the wheel or core can be pulled for real cleaning and the outdoor-air balance can be measured rather than assumed.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 11 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 13 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails an energy recovery ventilator (erv) annual inspection?: Recovery wheel or core wiped at the face while the depth of the media stays fouled, so recovery efficiency never comes back. Wheel perimeter and purge seals worn, letting the two airstreams cross-leak so stale exhaust air is fed back into supply. Airflow balance drifted as filters and dampers aged, leaving the building over- or under-pressurized with no one measuring it.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) QuarterlyEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) quarterly maintenance checklistFilters on both airstreams, core condition, dampers and drains checked on the quarterly round15 items13 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 13 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.