DIY Lunos HRV air exchanger installation video

Do you mean you have hot water radiant heating in your floor and you are asking if you should install an HRV or ERV ventilation system? 

I will answer based on that assumption, if I’ve missed the mark let me know And give me a bit more detail so we can help. But by ‘hot water heat’ I will assume a boiler and either radiators spaced around the house or perhaps a radiant floor, my answer would be the same either way.

Radiant heating systems in homes don’t introduce any fresh air, so you should have some sort of ventilation system to remove airborne contaminants and humidity, while providing fresh air for occupants. I would also assume you may have a somewhat older home as new homes now would likely be required to have ventilation equipment to meet regional building codes.

There is one excellent solution for retrofitting HRVs and ERVs in a home without needing to undertake a dusty home renovation project and rip apart drywall, that would be a ductless wall unit ERV. There are a couple of companies that manufacturer ERV wall insert ventilation systems that only require running a low voltage wire to each unit. They work in tandem, where one unit blows out at the same time that another unit blows in, each has its own ceramic heater core that absorbs and releases heat. You can see more here-

Lunos Ductless ERV heat recovery ventilation systems 

Choosing which is better between an HRV and an ERV depends on the climate. HRVs (heat recovery ventilation) recover heat from exhaust air, and ERVs (energy recovery ventilation) recover heat and moisture, but you really can’t go too wrong with either. this page describes the benefits and will help you decide – 

Choosing between an HRV and ERV – which is best? 

As a general rule, an ERV can beneficial in tropical or cold climates while an HRV is more suited to a temperate climate. An ERV can help keep moisture inside the home in winter months when it can sometimes be too dry for comfort, and it helps keep humidity out of homes during summer months. Most of the energy used in air conditioning systems comes from removing moisture, so an ERV can take some of the burden off the AC system and save you some energy and money. 

Another variable to consider when shopping for one is the energy and heat recovery rates. Some HRVs and ERVs can offer up to 90% recovery, while other models may not come close to that. So like anything, you get what you pay for, and an investment in a more efficient ventilation system may actually save you a good chunk of money in the long run. Whichever you choose, be sure to keep it running well, to that end here is a page about how to keep an HRV clean and running properly. 

As for your basement, humidity should be kept below 50% to avoid mold issues so I would suggest having a hydrometer down there to monitor it (you can get on for less than $10 at a harware store) or keep a dehumidifier there set at about 40% RH and just leave it to do its thing as needed.