A standalone supply ventilation system uses its own fan to bring outdoor air into the house. To do it without comfort complaints, you’ll need to temper the outdoor air before introducing it into the house, which you can do by mixing it with indoor air. (Illustration adapted from 6.2.11, Ventilation Guide by Armin Rudd, 2011, BSC Press.)
The central fan integrated supply ventilation system is the most common supply-only system, especially in the humid Southeast. (Illustration adapted from 6.2.1, Ventilation Guide by Armin Rudd, 2011, BSC Press.)
A recovery ventilator pulls in fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale air from indoors. The air streams pass through opposite sides of an exchanger core. Ideally, the two air streams do not mix at all but do exchange heat (both ERV and HRV) and moisture (ERV only). (Illustration adapted from 6.1.8, Ventilation Guide by Armin Rudd, 2011, BSC Press.)
