Overview

Modern Canadian homes and renovations are being built tighter to save energy, but that often means foggy windows, musty basements and stuffy bedrooms when you only rely on bath fans. The Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite 120 CFM ERV (FV-12VE1T) brings in tempered outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air, giving mid-size homes in temperate Canadian climates quiet, balanced ventilation all day long.

This 120 CFM Elite model sits between compact Intelli-Balance® units and higher-capacity BalancedHome™ 130/150/160 ERVs. In our 2025 Canadian ERV guide, it’s a strong fit when your design airflow lands in the 30–120 CFM range and you want a top-port, ceiling- or wall-mounted ERV that’s engineered for any temperate North American climate zone with exhaust-only frost prevention.

Key Features & Benefits

• 30–120 CFM balanced airflow – Independent supply and exhaust settings from 30 to 120 CFM let you dial in balanced ventilation for your specific home, with an occupant-controlled boost function up to 120 CFM when you need a quick air change.
• Temperate-climate design with frost protection – Engineered for use in any temperate North American climate zone, with built-in exhaust-only frost prevention that automatically activates to help protect the ERV core during cold snaps.
• Dual DC ECM motors with Smart Flow® behaviour – Two fully enclosed ECM brushless motors automatically increase speed when static pressure rises so the unit stays close to its selected CFM, helping deliver the airflow you designed for instead of what the ductwork “allows.”
• MERV 8 filtration standard, MERV 13 optional – A factory MERV 8 filter (FV-FL0815VE1) cleans both supply and exhaust air before it passes through Panasonic’s hygroscopic core, with optional MERV 13 (FV-FL1316VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) filters available when you need finer filtration or easy maintenance.
• Hygroscopic ERV core for comfort – Indoor and outdoor air pass through Panasonic’s hygroscopic membrane core, tempering incoming air while transferring moisture to help balance humidity and improve comfort in both heating and cooling seasons.
• Top-port 6" duct layout – Four vertically oriented 6" ducts (supply, exhaust, outside air, return) simplify straight-up runs into joist spaces and bulkheads in mechanical rooms, closets or dropped ceilings.
• Ceiling or wall mounting hardware included – A galvanized, corrosion-resistant steel housing ships with brackets for ceiling or wall mounting, and can also be suspended by chains (chains not included) for flexible mechanical room layouts.
• Filter & fault indication – Visual and audible filter replacement indicators trigger after about 90 days of run time, and the Fault Indication Device (FID) alerts occupants and contractors to airflow or system issues so problems are caught early.
• ASHRAE 62.2 timing built in – Integrated ASHRAE 62.2 intermittent/continuous timing helps support Canadian code compliance (including Ontario Building Code, ENERGY STAR®, LEED and Indoor airPLUS) when sized and installed correctly.
• ENERGY STAR® certified – Tested and listed to meet Natural Resources Canada’s ENERGY STAR® criteria for ERVs, helping support efficient, healthy homes across Canada.

Canadian Use Cases

• Mid-size detached homes and townhomes in temperate Canadian regions that need 30–120 CFM of continuous balanced ventilation.
• Renovations and retrofits where you want a compact, top-port ERV in a mechanical room or hallway bulkhead instead of tying into a furnace ductwork system.
• Homes with heat pumps, mini-splits, electric baseboards or radiant systems where a stand-alone ERV provides fresh air independently of the heating/cooling equipment.
• Secondary suites and laneway/garden suites that require their own balanced ventilation in a temperate climate zone.
• Tighter homes with recurring condensation issues on windows or stale odours in basements and closed-off rooms.

Need help choosing a Panasonic ERV?

If you are not sure whether this model is the right size or configuration for your project, check out our Best Panasonic ERV Systems in Canada (2025) guide for model comparisons and Canadian sizing examples.

Technical Details

• Model: Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite 120 CFM ERV – FV-12VE1T (top-port).
• Airflow range: Supply and exhaust independently adjustable from 30 to 120 CFM with occupant-controlled boost up to 120 CFM.
• Rated CFM: 120 net CFM on both supply and exhaust, tested to CSA-C439 at 0.4" w.g. static pressure.
• Voltage & current: 120 V, 60 Hz, 2.4 A maximum power rating.
• Power consumption: Power draw no greater than 73 W at 121 CFM and 0.2" w.g. static pressure, per Panasonic submittal.
• Motor type: Two enclosed DC ECM brushless motors rated for continuous run, with automatic speed increase under higher static pressure to maintain selected CFM.
• Duct connections: Four integrated 6" vertically oriented round ducts for outside air (OA), exhaust air (EA), return air (RA) and supply air (SA).
• Climate rating: Engineered for use in any temperate North American climate zone, with exhaust-only frost prevention mode to help protect the ERV core.
• Core technology: Hygroscopic membrane ERV core, treated for mold resistance, balancing humidity between indoor and outdoor airflows.
• Housing material: Galvanized, corrosion-resistant steel body.
• Approximate dimensions: About 579 mm (22 13/16") wide × 406.6 mm (16") high × 284.6 mm (11 3/16") deep (verify clearances against the submittal before framing or hanging).
• Filtration: MERV 8 filter (FV-FL0815VE1) included; optional MERV 13 (FV-FL1316VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) filters compatible across BalancedHome™ models.
• Mounting options: Ceiling or wall mount with included brackets; can also be suspended by chains (sold separately).
• Controls compatibility: Compatible with the BalancedHome™ touchscreen LED wall control (FV-SC16VEC1) and WhisperControl® Low Voltage Timer (FV-SWLV1060) for 10/20/40/60-minute boost cycles; optional Wi-Fi module (WP100PBA) available for app-based control alongside select Panasonic ventilation devices.
• Certifications: ENERGY STAR® certified (Canada), supports ASHRAE 62.2, Ontario Building Code, LEED and Indoor airPLUS when correctly designed and installed.
• Warranty: 6-year warranty on ECM motors and 3-year warranty on all other parts, from the original purchase date.

What’s Included

• Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite 120 CFM ERV – FV-12VE1T top-port unit.
• Factory-installed MERV 8 filter (FV-FL0815VE1).
• Standard 120 V power cord and hardwire conversion kit.
• Integrated 6" top duct adaptors for supply, exhaust, outside air and return air connections.
• Ceiling/wall mounting brackets and basic hardware.
• Installation and operating manual, plus Panasonic warranty information.

Common Questions

• How does this ERV handle Canadian winters in temperate regions?
  The BalancedHome™ 120 Elite FV-12VE1T is specifically engineered for use in temperate North American climate zones and uses an exhaust-only frost prevention mode that automatically activates to help prevent the core from freezing. When installed with insulated 6" duct and commissioned correctly, it will continue delivering tempered fresh air through typical temperate Canadian winters.
• Is this a good choice if I’m using heat pumps or mini-splits instead of a furnace?
  Yes. This ERV is a stand-alone, ducted ventilation system with its own ECM motors, so it doesn’t rely on a forced-air furnace. It pairs very well with ducted or ductless heat pumps and mini-splits by providing balanced, filtered fresh air and exhaust even when your heating or cooling equipment is not running.
• How often should I change the filters, and which filters fit this model?
  Panasonic’s guidance is to inspect filters roughly every 2–3 months and replace the supply filter about every 6 months under typical conditions, or more often if you have pets, construction dust or allergy concerns. This model ships with a MERV 8 filter (FV-FL0815VE1) and also accepts optional MERV 13 (FV-FL1316VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) filters, giving you flexibility based on your indoor air quality goals and static pressure budget.
• How do I know what size ERV my home needs?
  Proper sizing depends on floor area, layout, airtightness and local code. Many mid-size homes in temperate Canadian climates will land in the 30–120 CFM range, where the BalancedHome™ 120 Elite is a strong candidate. For examples and a comparison between BalancedHome™ and Intelli-Balance® models, see our Best Panasonic ERV Systems in Canada (2025) guide and then confirm final sizing with your ventilation designer or HVAC contractor.
• Which Panasonic filter products should I plan to order with this ERV?
  This ERV uses the BalancedHome™ filter family: MERV 8 (FV-FL0815VE1), optional MERV 13 (FV-FL1316VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1). When planning a project, many contractors will order at least one full set of replacement filters up front so homeowners are covered for the first year of maintenance.

Compare with other Panasonic ERVs

Need a different capacity or port layout? Compare this model with:

• BalancedHome™ 120 Elite FV-12VE1S (same 30–120 CFM in a side-port layout).
• BalancedHome™ 130 Elite Plus+ FV-13VEC1T and FV-13VEC1S when you need 130 CFM any-climate performance.
• BalancedHome™ 150 Elite FV-15VE1T and FV-15VE1S for larger temperate-climate homes.
• BalancedHome™ 160 Elite Plus+ FV-16VEC1T, FV-16VEC1S, or Intelli-Balance® 200 FV-20VEC1 for higher whole-home CFMs.
• Intelli-Balance® 100 FV-10VEC2, FV-10VEC2R, or FV-10VE2 for smaller homes, condos and suites.

Want to compare other capacities and port configurations? Browse all Panasonic ERV models for Canadian homes and suites .

Prefer to see everything Panasonic in one place? Visit our Panasonic collection for ERVs, fans and other indoor air quality solutions.