Overview

The Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite Plus+ FV-13VEC1T is a 130 CFM energy recovery ventilator (ERV) designed for Canadian homes that need quiet, balanced fresh air in a compact, top-port layout. It brings in tempered outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air, helping reduce condensation, odours and stuffy rooms in tighter, energy-efficient homes.

Within Panasonic’s 2025 ERV lineup, the BalancedHome™ 130 Elite Plus+ sits between Intelli-Balance® 100 and the larger BalancedHome™ 150/160 models. It’s recommended in our Canadian ERV guide for mid-size loads and renovation projects where design airflow lands between “small condo” and “full family home,” and where a top-port unit makes duct routing straightforward.

Key features & benefits

• 30–130 CFM adjustable airflow – Independent supply and exhaust settings from 30 to 130 CFM let you dial in balanced ventilation for your Canadian design airflow, with occupant-controlled boost up to 130 CFM when you need a quick air change.
• Top-port 6" duct configuration – Four vertically oriented 6" ports (outside air, exhaust, return and supply) simplify duct routing straight up into bulkheads or joist spaces in mechanical rooms and closets.
• Dual DC ECM motors with Smart Flow® technology – Two enclosed ECM brushless motors automatically ramp to maintain selected CFM as static pressure changes, helping real-world airflow stay close to the design value.
• Any temperate North American climate zone – Engineered for use in temperate North American climate zones, with frost prevention strategies (Recirculation and Exhaust Only modes) and performance data down to -25 °C outdoor temperature.
• MERV 13 filtration included – A factory MERV 13 filter (FV-FL1316VE1) cleans supply and exhaust air before it passes through the core, capturing fine particles and supporting better indoor air quality.
• Optional MERV 8 & washable filters – Optional MERV 8 (FV-FL0815VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) replacement filters give you flexibility for different projects and maintenance preferences.
• Hygroscopic ERV core – Panasonic’s hygroscopic membrane core tempers incoming air while transferring moisture, helping balance humidity between indoor and outdoor air streams for more comfortable living spaces.
• Ceiling or wall mounting – A galvanized, corrosion-resistant cabinet with integrated brackets allows ceiling or wall mounting, and provisions for suspended installs using chains.
• Filter & fault alerts – Visual and audible filter reminders plus a Fault Indication Device (FID) help homeowners and contractors catch maintenance or installation issues early.
• ENERGY STAR® & code friendly – ENERGY STAR® certified for the Canadian market with built-in ASHRAE 62.2 timing functions to support compliance with Canadian ventilation codes and programs when designed correctly.
• Panasonic warranty – Backed by a 6-year ECM motor warranty and 3-year parts warranty for residential applications.

Canadian use cases

• Mid-size detached homes and townhomes in temperate Canadian climate zones needing 30–130 CFM of balanced ventilation.
• Renovations and retrofits where you want a top-port ERV in a mechanical room or hallway bulkhead instead of running a full furnace-duct HRV.
• Homes with mini-splits, electric baseboards or radiant systems that still need continuous fresh air and stale air exhaust.
• Laneway homes, coach houses and secondary suites that land between compact-suite and full-family airflow requirements.
• Projects where commissioning and balancing matter – the FV-13VEC1T is called out in our 2025 ERV guide as a “mid-size load” solution when properly balanced.

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™ 130 Elite Plus+ FV-13VEC1T, top port configuration.
• Airflow range: Independent supply and exhaust settings adjustable from 30 to 130 CFM, with occupant boost up to 130 CFM.
• Rated performance: 130 CFM net exhaust and 130 CFM net supply at 0.4" w.g. static pressure (tested to CSA-C439).
• Voltage & current: 120 V, 60 Hz, 3.1 A maximum power rating.
• Motor type: Two DC ECM (enclosed brushless) motors rated for continuous run, with automatic speed increase under higher static pressure to maintain selected CFM.
• Duct connections: Four integrated 6" round top ports for outside air (OA), exhaust air (EA), return air (RA) and supply air (SA).
• Power consumption: Manufacturer-rated maximum power consumption of approximately 109 W at 125 CFM and 0.2" w.g. static pressure.
• Housing material: Galvanized, corrosion-resistant steel cabinet.
• Core technology: Hygroscopic membrane ERV core, treated for mold resistance, with frost prevention mode to help keep the core from freezing.
• Climate rating: Engineered for temperate North American climate zones, with performance data published down to -25 °C outdoor temperatures.
• Filtration: Factory-installed MERV 13 filter (FV-FL1316VE1) on both supply and exhaust, with optional MERV 8 (FV-FL0815VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) replacements available.
• Mounting: Ceiling or wall mounted using included brackets, or suspended by chains (chains not included).
• Controls compatibility: Compatible with the BalancedHome™ LED wall control and optional low-voltage booster timer for 10/20/40/60 minute boost modes (sold separately).
• Certifications: ENERGY STAR® certified for the Canadian market, supports ASHRAE 62.2, LEED and related Canadian code requirements 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.
• Approx. dimensions: Roughly 16" W × 22-3/8" H × 22-13/16" L class cabinet (verify clearances for service access in your layout).
• Approx. weight: Approximately 55 lb (25 kg) class unit.

What’s included

• Panasonic BalancedHome™ 130 Elite Plus+ FV-13VEC1T 130 CFM ERV (top port).
• Factory-installed MERV 13 filter (FV-FL1316VE1) for supply and exhaust air streams.
• Standard 120 V power cord plus hardwire conversion kit in the box.
• Integrated 6" duct adaptors for outside air, exhaust, return and supply ports.
• Ceiling/wall mounting brackets and basic hardware.
• Installation and operating manual, plus Panasonic warranty documentation.

Common questions

Q: How does this ERV perform in Canadian winters?
A: The FV-13VEC1T is engineered for temperate North American climate zones and includes two frost prevention strategies (Recirculation and Exhaust Only modes). When the ducts are insulated and the unit is installed per the manual, it tempers incoming outdoor air and recovers heat and moisture, even when outdoor temperatures drop well below freezing.

Q: Is this a good match for homes with mini-splits or no central furnace?
A: Yes. Because BalancedHome™ ERVs are stand-alone, ducted systems with their own ECM motors, they pair very well with ductless mini-splits, electric baseboard and radiant systems. The ERV handles continuous fresh air and exhaust, while your mini-splits or other heating/cooling equipment handle temperature.

Q: How often should I change the filters, and which ones fit this model?
A: The FV-13VEC1T includes a MERV 13 filter and has visual and audible filter reminders that trigger after roughly 90 days of accumulated run time. In many Canadian homes, that means checking the filter every 3 months and replacing or cleaning it based on dust levels and air quality goals. This model uses Panasonic BalancedHome™ filters: MERV 13 (FV-FL1316VE1), optional MERV 8 (FV-FL0815VE1) and a washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1).

Q: How do I know what size ERV I need for my home?
A: Start from your home’s floor area, airtightness and local code requirements, then translate that into a target continuous CFM. Our Best Panasonic ERV Systems in Canada (2025) guide shows where the BalancedHome™ 130 Elite Plus+ fits among Intelli-Balance® 100/200 and other BalancedHome™ models, with Canadian sizing tips. Final sizing should always be confirmed by your ventilation designer or contractor.

Q: When should I choose this 130 CFM model versus other Panasonic ERVs?
A: Use the FV-13VEC1T when your design airflow lands in the 30–130 CFM range and you want an “any temperate climate” ERV with a built-in MERV 13 filter and top ports. For larger homes, look at BalancedHome™ 160 Elite Plus+ models (FV-16VEC1T/FV-16VEC1S). For smaller homes and suites, consider BalancedHome™ 120 Elite (FV-12VE1T/FV-12VE1S) or Intelli-Balance® 100. For high whole-home CFMs or small multi-unit projects, Intelli-Balance® 200 (FV-20VEC1) may be a better fit.

Compare with other Panasonic ERVs

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

• BalancedHome™ 130 Elite Plus+ FV-13VEC1S (same airflow with side-port configuration).
• BalancedHome™ 160 Elite Plus+ FV-16VEC1T and FV-16VEC1S for higher CFM ranges.
• BalancedHome™ 120 Elite FV-12VE1T and FV-12VE1S for smaller loads.
• Intelli-Balance® 200 FV-20VEC1 or Intelli-Balance® 100 FV-10VEC2 when you need cold-climate ready, compact ERVs.

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.