Lifebreath 130ERVD

At a glance

• In its favour
• Plain fact
• Worth knowing
• Not stated by the maker

• In its favour: HVI-certified (HVI 2004920)Its airflow and efficiency were tested to the Home Ventilating Institute’s standard.
• Plain fact: 144 cfm at 0.4 in., 133 cfm at 0.5 in. of duct pressureCertified fresh air delivered, at HVI’s headline rating point and at the higher pressure many real ducts run at.
• Not stated by the maker: No Lifebreath CO₂ control; terminals 2 and 6 hold high speed while joinedLifebreath’s manuals show its own 99-101 dry-contact timer there, and its METRO manual allows third-party dry-contact timers. A CO₂ relay would go there too: ask your installer.
• Plain fact: How it handles frost in very cold weatherRecirculating damper defrost: a damper recirculates house air through the core to clear frost. Lifebreath's FAQ says its ERVs/HRVs go into defrost when it is below -3 °C (27 °F) outside.

Certifications

• HVI certified

  HVI 2004920

  The Home Ventilating Institute tested its airflow and heat recovery. The certified numbers on this page come from its directory. Find HVI 2004920 in HVI’s directory

• ENERGY STAR (Canada)

  Listed as 130ERVD

  On Natural Resources Canada’s ENERGY STAR list for HRVs and ERVs, which sets minimums for heat recovery in cold weather and for fan power. ENERGY STAR certifies HRVs and ERVs only in Canada. NRCan’s ENERGY STAR list (search the model number) (checked October 19, 2026)

Would it cover your home?

Tell it who sleeps in each bedroom. It’s checked against the 800 ppm goal the same way the app checks a unit an installer quotes.

Certified airflow

How much fresh air it delivers as the ducts push back. More duct pressure, less air: that’s why the installer’s duct design matters as much as the unit.

Lowest steady airflow (maker)

Not stated in the review’s sources

Highest airflow (maker)

Not stated in the review’s sources

Heat and moisture recovery

Sensible recovery (SRE) is the share of heat kept in winter, after the fan’s own heat is taken out; total recovery (TRE) counts moisture too, in summer.

• Plain fact: Keeps 73–75% of the heat at 32°FAcross the airflows HVI tested.
• In its favour: Tested at −13°F too: 65% SREHVI’s very-cold test point, useful in cold climates.
• Plain fact: Total recovery in summer: 49% at 95°FThe share of heat and moisture kept out on a hot, humid day.

HRV or ERV: which fits your home?

Turning up on CO₂

A CO₂ control can switch it to a higher speed when the bedroom needs air, then back. HouseExhale’s setting: up at 750 ppm, back at 650, never above 800.

• Not stated by the maker: No Lifebreath CO₂ control; terminals 2 and 6 hold high speed while joinedLifebreath’s manuals show its own 99-101 dry-contact timer there, and its METRO manual allows third-party dry-contact timers. A CO₂ relay would go there too: ask your installer.

What Lifebreath (Airia) documents

• Not stated by the maker: No Lifebreath CO₂ controlIts controls are timers, speed and humidity.
• In its favour: Terminals 2 (ON) and 6 (HI) hold high speed while joinedIts METRO manual allows third-party dry-contact timers there; the residential manuals show Lifebreath’s own 99-101 timer. It doesn’t say what happens when the contact opens.
• Worth knowing: Nothing works when the unit is fully offA jumper between 2 and 3 turns off into standby. Some codes require fully off: ask.

Four ways to make it turn up by itself

• A CO₂ control on its high-speed inputAsk your installer

  A CO₂ relay on 2 (ON) and 6 (HI), the dry contact Lifebreath documents for high speed.

• A night scheduleAsk your installer

  A dry-contact timer on 2 and 6, or its DXPL03 control’s settings.

• Your monitor and a smart-home relayAsk your maker first

  A dry-contact relay on 2 and 6. Not documented by Lifebreath.

• Its maker’s CO₂ controlNot for this unit

  Lifebreath doesn’t make a CO₂ control.

How to add CO₂ control to an HRV or ERV · CO₂ controls

Installing it

The maker’s facts an installer plans around. Your installer confirms them for your home.

Power

120 V, 60 Hz, 1.7 A (minimum circuit 2.0 A, max breaker 15 A). Plugs into a grounded 120 V outlet; a separate 15 A circuit is recommended; no extension cords.

Duct connections

5-inch (125 mm) round collars on top ("top port design"); balancing dampers on all collars.

Size

17.25 in. H × 22.75 in. W × 14 in. D.

Weight

51 lb (23 kg); 54 lb (25 kg) shipping.

Mounting

Hangs from the floor joists on four included adjustable straps (screws and washers not included). Must be level. Leave 25 in. in front of the access door.

Drain line

No drain line required ("No drains required" / "DRAIN: No").

Cold weather

Recirculating damper defrost: a damper recirculates house air through the core to clear frost. Lifebreath's FAQ says its ERVs/HRVs go into defrost when it is below -3 °C (27 °F) outside.

Balancing the airflow

Door-port balancing/adjustable dampers by model

Ducts

Multiple standard duct configurations per manual

In the box

Four adjustable hanging straps (no full packing list given).

Controls

Humidity control

Not confirmed

Bathroom boost

Not confirmed

Works without the internet

Documented

Owning it

Equipment price

• $1,218.55 at SupplyHouse, October 17, 2026In stock (21). No sale price shown.

Rebates

Federal tax credits ended for work after 2025. Some states and utilities still pay toward an HRV or ERV: rebates by state.

Filters

• Type: Washable filters in both airstreams
• MERV: 6; MERV 13 upgrade available
• Part: MERV 13 upgrade 65-195-6R (no part number given for the standard filters)
• How often: Rinse filters every 3 months; vacuum the core gently twice a year (do not wash the ERV core)

Warranty

• Core: 5 years (ERV core)
• Parts: 5 years on other components
• Motor: Replacement parts bought later (e.g. a motor) carry 1 year
• Labor: Not covered for installing replacement parts
• Conditions: Starts at installation, but no later than 12 months after manufacture; controls and timers carry 1 year; excludes improper installation, neglect, missed maintenance and power-quality damage (surges, lightning, generators).

Sound

Not stated in the sources we found

Availability

Active. Current product page with no retired/discontinued notice; in stock at SupplyHouse.

Lifebreath’s page for the 130ERVD (opens in a new tab)

Not known yet

What we couldn’t confirm from the maker or HVI. Ask the installer, and get it in writing with the quote.

• The lowest airflow it can run at steadily
• Whether a CO₂ control from another maker is supported
• How loud it is

Where the maker’s own documents disagree

• Amps: the product page says 1.2 A; the spec sheet (and SupplyHouse) say 1.7 A.
• Duct: the product page mentions a '5" oval duct on the top port'; the spec sheet says 5 in. round collars.
• Drain: the product page spec list says drain 'Optional' while its feature list says 'No drains required'; the ERV installation manual says a drain is required except where it stays above -13 °F outside and below 30 % indoor humidity (stated in the 30ERV section, so its scope is unclear).
• Warranty wording conflict inside the ERV homeowners manual: its introduction mentions a 5-year replacement-parts warranty, while the terms give 1 year for replacement parts bought later.

Other sizes and similar units

Other ERVs with similar airflow

• 

  Fantech HERO 140E

  ERV · HVI 2005472

  133 cfm at 0.5 in.

• Broan AI Series B160E75RS

  ERV · HVI 2005454

  127 cfm at 0.5 in.

• Venmar AI Series V150E75NS

  ERV · HVI 2005177

  125 cfm at 0.5 in.

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