Overview

The Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite FV-15VE1S is a 150 CFM energy recovery ventilator (ERV) designed for temperate Canadian climate zones. It delivers balanced fresh air while exhausting stale indoor air, helping reduce condensation, odours and stuffy rooms in modern, tighter homes.

Compared with smaller Intelli-Balance® and BalancedHome™ 120 models, this 150 CFM side-port unit gives you more airflow headroom for renovations and mid-size homes, while staying more compact than the 160 CFM BalancedHome™ Elite Plus+ models. It’s a strong fit for projects called out as “BalancedHome 150 Elite – FV-15VE1S” in our 2025 Panasonic ERV guide.

Key features & benefits

• 30–150 CFM adjustable airflow – Independent supply and exhaust settings let you dial in balanced ventilation for your exact Canadian design CFM, then boost to 150 CFM when you need a quick air flush.
• Side-port layout with four 6" ducts – Horizontal 6" ports for outside air, exhaust, return and supply make it easier to route ductwork in existing joist spaces and compact mechanical rooms.
• Dual DC ECM motors – Two brushless ECM motors automatically adjust speed to maintain selected CFM as static pressure changes, helping keep real-world airflow close to the design target.
• Hygroscopic ERV core – Panasonic’s membrane core tempers incoming air and transfers moisture, helping reduce over-dry winter air and excess humidity in shoulder seasons.
• Temperate climate design – Engineered for temperate North American climate zones, ideal for coastal BC, southern Ontario and similar areas where winters are moderate but fresh air is still critical.
• MERV 8 filtration included – A MERV 8 filter cleans supply and exhaust air before it passes through the core, with optional higher-efficiency and washable filter options available for different projects.
• Ceiling or wall mount options – Galvanized steel housing with included brackets and chain-mount provisions gives flexibility in tight mechanical rooms, closets and utility spaces.
• Smart controls ready – Compatible with the Panasonic wall control / fault indicator (sold separately) for mode selection, boost and status, plus a low-voltage timer for timed boost cycles.
• ASHRAE 62.2 and ENERGY STAR® friendly – Built-in timing functions and high-efficiency performance support compliance with modern ventilation codes and programs when properly designed and commissioned.
• Panasonic warranty – Long-life ECM motors with a 6-year motor warranty and 3-year parts warranty provide peace of mind for Canadian homeowners and builders.

Canadian use cases

• Temperate-climate detached homes and townhomes needing 30–150 CFM of balanced ventilation.
• Renovations of older homes where you want to step up from bath fans without re-framing for a furnace-mounted HRV.
• Homes heated and cooled by ductless mini-splits or electric baseboards that still need continuous fresh air.
• Basements, upper floors and additions where a side-port ERV fits better than a top-port layout.
• Projects in BC’s Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, southern Ontario or the Maritimes where winters are moderate but indoor air quality is still a priority.

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 FV-15VE1S (side port) energy recovery ventilator.
• Airflow range: Independent supply and exhaust settings adjustable from approximately 30 to 150 CFM, with occupant boost up to 150 CFM.
• Rated performance: Up to 150 CFM net supply and 150 CFM net exhaust at 0.4" w.g. static pressure (tested to CSA-C439).
• Voltage & current: 120 V, 60 Hz, up to 2.4 A.
• Motor type: Two DC, enclosed ECM brushless motors rated for continuous run.
• Duct connections: Four horizontal 6" duct adaptors for outside air (OA), exhaust air (EA), return air (RA) and supply air (SA).
• Power consumption: Manufacturer-rated up to roughly 98 W at 150 CFM and 0.2" w.g. static pressure.
• Housing material: Galvanized, corrosion-resistant steel cabinet.
• Core technology: Hygroscopic membrane ERV core designed for heat and moisture transfer, treated for mold resistance.
• Climate rating: Engineered for temperate North American climate zones (moderate winter conditions).
• Filtration: Factory MERV 8 filter (Panasonic FV-FL0815VE1) on supply and exhaust; optional MERV 13 (FV-FL1316VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) filters available.
• Mounting: Ceiling or wall mounting with included brackets; chain mounting provisions for suspended installs.
• Controls compatibility: Compatible with Panasonic BalancedHome™ wall control / fault indicator (FV-SC16VEC1, sold separately) and the low-voltage boost timer accessory.
• Certifications: ENERGY STAR® listed, supports ASHRAE 62.2, LEED and Ontario Building Code ventilation requirements when designed and installed correctly.
• Warranty: 6-year ECM motor warranty and 3-year warranty on all other parts (Panasonic, residential applications).
• Approx. dimensions: About 16" W × 18-7/8" H × 30-5/16" L (check clearances for service access).
• Approx. weight: Roughly 55 lb (25 kg) class unit.

What’s included

• Panasonic BalancedHome™ Elite FV-15VE1S 150 CFM side-port ERV unit.
• Factory-installed MERV 8 filters on 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 hardware.
• Installation and operating manual, plus Panasonic warranty documentation.

Common questions

Q: How does this ERV handle Canadian winters in temperate climates?
A: The BalancedHome™ 150 Elite FV-15VE1S is engineered for temperate North American climate zones, where winters are cool but not extreme. When ducts are insulated and the unit is installed per the manual, it tempers incoming outdoor air and recovers heat and moisture to keep indoor air fresher and more comfortable. For projects in very cold interior or prairie climates, our 2025 Panasonic ERV guide can help you compare BalancedHome and Intelli-Balance® models that are better suited to deep-cold conditions.

Q: Is this unit a good match for homes with mini-splits or electric baseboards?
A: Yes. Because the FV-15VE1S is a stand-alone ERV with its own ECM motors and ductwork, it’s an excellent pairing with ductless mini-splits and electric baseboard homes that don’t have central furnace ducting. It handles the continuous fresh air and exhaust, while your mini-split handles heating and cooling.

Q: How often should I change the filters?
A: The ERV has visual and audible filter reminders that trigger after roughly 90 days of accumulated run time. In many Canadian homes, that translates to checking the filters every 3 months and replacing or cleaning them as needed based on dust levels and indoor air quality goals. For finer filtration, you can move up to the optional MERV 13 filter; for easier maintenance, a washable MERV 6 core filter is available.

Q: How do I know what size ERV I need for my home?
A: Start with your home’s floor area, airtightness and local code requirements, then map that to a target continuous CFM. Our Best Panasonic ERV Systems in Canada (2025) guide walks through rough sizing examples and shows where the BalancedHome™ 150 Elite fits alongside Intelli-Balance® and other BalancedHome™ models. Final sizing should always be confirmed by your ventilation designer or contractor.

Q: Which replacement filters does this ERV use?
A: The FV-15VE1S ships with a Panasonic MERV 8 filter (FV-FL0815VE1) and is also compatible with optional MERV 13 (FV-FL1316VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) filters. Ask our team about stocking replacement filters with your install so you’re ready for the first year of maintenance.

Compare with other Panasonic ERVs

Need a different capacity or port layout? In the BalancedHome™ family, the FV-15VE1T uses a top-port configuration with similar airflow, while the FV-13VEC1 and FV-16VEC1 Elite Plus+ models cover mid-range and larger homes. For compact suites and cold-climate projects, Intelli-Balance® models like the FV-10VEC2 or FV-20VEC1 may be a better fit.

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.