Overview

Modern Canadian homes are getting tighter and better insulated, which is great for energy bills but not always for indoor air quality. Without balanced ventilation you can end up with condensation on windows, stale bedrooms and lingering cooking or pet odours.

The Panasonic BalancedHome Elite Plus+ 160 CFM ERV (model FV-16VEC1T) is a top-port, any-climate energy recovery ventilator designed for most detached homes and townhomes. With independently adjustable 30–160 CFM supply and exhaust, it delivers balanced, code-ready ventilation for typical Canadian projects without stepping up to an Intelli-Balance 200.

Key features & benefits

• 30–160 CFM selectable airflow: Independent supply and exhaust settings let your contractor dial in balanced, slightly positive or slightly negative pressure instead of living with a fixed fan speed.
• Dual ECM motors with Smart Flow–style control: Two enclosed DC ECM brushless motors automatically ramp to help maintain target CFM as duct resistance changes, supporting real-world performance close to design values.
• Any-climate ERV with frost prevention: Engineered for use in North American climate zones with built-in frost prevention strategies (recirculation and exhaust-only modes) to keep air moving through Canadian cold snaps when ducting and drains are done correctly.
• MERV 13 filtration as standard: Ships with a high-efficiency MERV 13 filter, with optional MERV 8 and washable MERV 6 replacements, helping capture finer particles and support healthier indoor air.
• Top-port cabinet for clean duct runs: Four 6" vertically oriented top ports suit joist spaces, bulkheads and mechanical rooms where a side-port ERV would be harder to route.
• Integrated LED control panel: Built-in LED control on the unit allows precise CFM selection and status checking, with optional low-voltage wall control and timer for boost and scheduling (sold separately).
• Energy efficient & code-ready: High sensible recovery efficiency with built-in ASHRAE 62.2 timing helps projects meet Canadian ventilation and energy code requirements when properly designed and commissioned.
• Quiet, serviceable design: Hinged access and front service panel make filter checks, cleaning and maintenance straightforward for homeowners and service techs.

Canadian use cases

• Typical detached homes and townhomes needing balanced whole-home ventilation in the 30–160 CFM design range.
• Airtight new builds and deep energy retrofits where bath fans alone are no longer enough to manage humidity and CO₂.
• Homes heated and cooled with ductless mini-splits or heat pumps where a standalone ERV provides fresh air without tying into furnace ductwork.
• Mechanical rooms and basements where a compact, top-port ERV is easier to duct than a side-port or furnace-mounted option.
• Projects dealing with winter condensation, stale odours or stuffy bedrooms caused by sealed windows and tight envelopes.

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+ 160 CFM ERV – FV-16VEC1T (top port).
• Airflow range: Independent supply and exhaust adjustable from 30–160 CFM.
• Rated airflow: 160 CFM exhaust and 160 CFM supply at 0.4" w.g. static pressure (CSA-C439, net airflows).
• Voltage / frequency / current: 120 V, 60 Hz, approximately 3.1 A.
• Motors: Two DC enclosed ECM brushless motors, continuous-run rated, with thermal cut-off protection and pressure-compensating control.
• Power consumption: Designed for efficient operation, with power draw around the 100 W range at typical mid-speed flows (see Panasonic submittal for exact values by CFM and static).
• Duct connections: Four 6" round, vertically oriented top ports (supply, exhaust, return and outside air) with integrated adaptors.
• Mounting options: Wall or ceiling mount with included brackets, or suspended by chains as detailed in the installation manual.
• Housing material: Galvanized, corrosion-resistant steel cabinet.
• Filtration: Factory-installed MERV 13 filter (model FV-FL1316VE1), with optional MERV 8 (FV-FL0815VE1) and washable MERV 6 (FV-FL0616VE1) replacement filters available.
• Climate rating: Engineered for use in any North American climate zone with recirculation and exhaust-only frost prevention modes.
• Energy performance highlights: Sensible recovery efficiency in the low-80% range around 0 °C with balanced airflows, with documented total recovery performance for cooling conditions (see Panasonic energy performance tables).
• Controls & accessories: Integrated LED control panel on the unit; optional touchscreen LED wall control and low-voltage timer (sold separately) provide boost, scheduling, ASHRAE timing and status/fault indications.
• Certifications: ENERGY STAR certified for the Canadian market; can be applied to meet ASHRAE 62.2, Ontario Building Code, LEED, Indoor airPLUS and other program requirements when correctly designed and installed.
• Warranty: 6-year ECM motor warranty and 3-year parts warranty from Panasonic (residential use, original purchaser).
• Dimensions: Approx. 579 mm (22 13/16") wide x 407 mm (16") deep x 285 mm (11 3/16") high (see submittal drawing).

What’s included

• Panasonic BalancedHome Elite Plus+ 160 CFM ERV unit (FV-16VEC1T, top-port).
• Factory-installed MERV 13 filter.
• Wall/ceiling mounting brackets and related hardware as per installation manual.
• Standard 120 V power cord and hardwire adaptor/cover kit (in box).
• Installation and owner documentation.

Recommended filters & maintenance

To keep your BalancedHome ERV running properly, many Canadian homeowners order replacement filters at the same time as the unit so they are ready for the first year of maintenance.

• MERV 13 replacement filter: Model FV-FL1316VE1 for higher-efficiency filtration and finer particle capture in tight, energy-efficient homes.
• MERV 8 replacement filter: Model FV-FL0815VE1 as a standard-efficiency option for everyday use.
• Washable MERV 6 filter: Model FV-FL0616VE1 as a washable pre-filter option where frequent cleaning is preferred over disposables.

As a rule of thumb, plan to inspect filters every 3 months and replace or clean them about every 6–12 months, depending on dust, pets and wildfire smoke. For current filter options and other IAQ accessories, visit our Panasonic filters & indoor air quality collection.

Common questions

• Is this ERV suitable for Canadian winters?
  Yes. The BalancedHome Elite Plus+ 160 series is designed with frost prevention strategies that allow airflows to continue through Canadian winter conditions when ducts are insulated, condensate is drained properly and installation follows the manual.
• Can I use this with mini-splits or a central heat pump?
  Yes. This ERV is often paired with ductless mini-splits or central heat pumps to provide balanced fresh air and energy recovery without relying on a furnace duct system.
• How often should I change the filters?
  Filter life depends on outdoor air quality, wildfire smoke exposure and fan speed, but many Canadian homes inspect or replace filters every 6–12 months. Use the unit’s maintenance indicators and follow Panasonic’s maintenance guide and your contractor’s recommendations.
• How do I know what size ERV my home needs?
  Ventilation should be sized to floor area, bedroom count and airtightness. Start with our Best Panasonic ERV Systems in Canada (2025) guide for Canadian sizing examples, then have your ventilation designer or HVAC contractor confirm final CFM and duct layout.

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