Overview

Indoor air in modern Canadian homes can be several times more polluted than the air outside, especially once you tighten up the envelope and add better windows. The Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite Plus+ 130 CFM ERV (FV-13VEC1S) brings in filtered, tempered outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air, helping reduce condensation, odours and stuffy bedrooms in one compact side-port unit.

This 130 CFM Elite Plus+ model sits between smaller 120 CFM BalancedHome units and larger 160 CFM options, giving you a flexible mid-range for homes and suites that land between “small condo” and “full family home.” As a side-port version, it’s easier to route ductwork through joists and bulkheads than top-port ERVs, while still delivering any-climate performance down to -25 °C with frost prevention and high heat recovery efficiency.

Key Features & Benefits

• 30–130 CFM independent supply and exhaust – Dial in balanced ventilation for your design airflow, with occupant-controlled boost mode up to 130 CFM when you need a quick air change.
• Any-climate, cold-weather ready – Engineered for use in North American climate zones with tested performance down to -25 °C and a built-in frost prevention mode to protect the core in Canadian winters.
• High-efficiency ECM motors – Two DC, brushless ECM motors are rated for continuous run and automatically adjust speed to maintain selected CFM as static pressure changes.
• Smart timing and code compliance – Built-in ASHRAE 62.2 intermittent/continuous timing function helps simplify code-compliant ventilation scheduling.
• MERV 13 supply and exhaust filtration – Factory MERV 13 filter (FV-FL1316VE1) cleans both incoming and outgoing air through Panasonic’s hygroscopic membrane core, supporting better indoor air quality for allergy- and asthma-sensitive households.
• Filter and fault indication – Visual and audible indicators alert you when filters need attention and when the Fault Indication Device (FID) detects a system issue, making maintenance simple for homeowners.
• Side-port layout with 6" ducts – Four horizontal 6" ducts (outside air, exhaust, supply, return) plus included wall/ceiling mounting hardware make this a practical option for tight mechanical rooms, bulkheads and retrofit projects.
• Quiet, efficient operation – Power consumption is rated up to 109 W at 125 CFM while delivering high sensible recovery efficiencies around 80% at 0 °C, helping reduce heating and cooling loads.
• Energy Star® for Canada – Meets strict Natural Resources Canada efficiency guidelines and is ENERGY STAR® certified for the Canadian market.
• Flexible controls – Compatible with the BalancedHome™ LED touchscreen wall control for full CFM, boost and status control, and the WhisperControl® Low Voltage Timer for simple timed boost from bathrooms or key locations.

Canadian Use Cases

• Mid-size detached homes and townhomes needing balanced ventilation beyond bath fans.
• Renovations and retrofits where side ports simplify duct routing through joists and bulkheads.
• Homes upgrading to heat pumps or mini-splits that need balanced fresh air without adding ducted air handlers.
• Secondary suites or garden/laneway suites that require their own balanced ventilation system.
• Tighter homes with foggy windows, musty basements or isolated bedrooms at the ends of long hallways.

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 Plus+ FV-13VEC1S (side-port ERV).
• Airflow range: 30–130 CFM, with independent supply and exhaust settings and occupant-controlled boost up to 130 CFM.
• Rated CFM: Net 130 CFM on both supply and exhaust at 0.4" w.g. (CSA-C439 test conditions).
• Voltage and power: 120 V, 60 Hz, approximately 3.1 A; maximum power draw about 109 W at 125 CFM.
• Motor type: Two fully enclosed, brushless DC ECM motors rated for continuous duty with automatic speed compensation under static pressure.
• Duct connections: Four 6" horizontal round ports – outside air (OA), exhaust air (EA), return air (RA) and supply air (SA).
• Core & climate rating: Hygroscopic membrane ERV core with frost prevention mode; engineered for use in North American climate zones with tested operation down to -25 °C (-13 °F) and heat recovery efficiencies around 80% at 0 °C.
• Cabinet & materials: Galvanized, corrosion-resistant steel housing designed for ceiling chain mount or wall mount with included brackets.
• Approximate dimensions: About 579 mm (≈22.8") wide, 406.8 mm (≈16.0") high and 293.2 mm (≈11.5") deep – always confirm clearances against the Panasonic submittal before framing.
• Filtration: Factory-installed MERV 13 filter (FV-FL1316VE1) with optional MERV 8 (FV-FL0815VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) replacements.
• Controls compatibility: Works with the BalancedHome™ ERV LED touchscreen wall control (FV-SC16VEC1) and WhisperControl® Low Voltage Timer (FV-SWLV1060) for timed/boost operation; also compatible with standard 120 V switches for basic on/off where appropriate.
• Certifications: Meets ASHRAE 62.2, Ontario Building Code and ENERGY STAR® requirements for ERVs in Canada; can support LEED and Indoor airPLUS projects when properly designed.
• Warranty (Canada): ECM motors – 6 years from original purchase; all other parts – 3 years (per Panasonic ERV submittal/warranty documentation).

What’s Included

• Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite Plus+ 130 CFM ERV unit – FV-13VEC1S (side port).
• Factory-installed MERV 13 filter (FV-FL1316VE1).
• Mounting hardware for wall or ceiling chain mount (per submittal).
• Standard 120 V power cord and optional hardwire adaptor.
• Installation and operation documentation from Panasonic.

Common Questions

• How does this ERV perform in Canadian winters?
  The BalancedHome™ 130 Elite Plus+ is engineered for use in North American climate zones and tested for heating performance down to -25 °C with a built-in frost prevention mode. That means it can keep bringing in tempered fresh air while protecting the core from freezing in typical Canadian winter conditions when installed and commissioned correctly.
• Is this a good match if I’m adding a heat pump or mini-split system?
  Yes. Because this ERV delivers balanced, filtered ventilation independently of your heating/cooling equipment, it pairs well with ducted or ductless heat pumps and mini-split systems. It helps control humidity, odours and CO₂ even when your heat pump isn’t calling, improving comfort and indoor air quality year-round.
• How often should I change the filters?
  Panasonic and distributors recommend checking the MERV 13 filter about every 3 months and replacing it roughly every 6 months in typical homes, or more often if you have pets, construction dust or severe allergy concerns. The built-in filter indicator will remind homeowners when service is due.
• How do I know what size ERV I need?
  ERV sizing depends on floor area, layout, airtightness and local code. For many mid-size homes and suites, a 130 CFM BalancedHome model falls between smaller 120 CFM and larger 160 CFM options. For step-by-step examples, see our Best Panasonic ERV Systems in Canada (2025) guide and then confirm final sizing with your ventilation designer or HVAC contractor.
• Which replacement filters does this model use?
  This FV-13VEC1S ships with a high-performance MERV 13 filter (FV-FL1316VE1). For projects that want slightly lower static pressure or easier airflow, optional MERV 8 (FV-FL0815VE1) or washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) filters are also available. Choose based on your IAQ goals and static pressure budget.

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

For full Panasonic options beyond ERVs, you can also explore our complete Panasonic collection for Canada .

Looking at other ERV sizes or layouts? Compare with top-port and higher-capacity models such as FV-13VEC1T (top-port 130 CFM), FV-16VEC1S (160 CFM side-port), FV-16VEC1T (160 CFM top-port), or compact Elite models like FV-12VE1S and FV-12VE1T. For condos and smaller suites, consider Intelli-Balance® ERVs such as FV-10VEC2, FV-10VEC2R, or FV-10VE2.