FANTECH HERO 150H and BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS, HRV air exchangers

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Comparison · HRV air exchanger · 150 CFM at 0.4 in. w.c.

FANTECH HERO 150H and BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS: what the HVI listings say

At 0.4 in. w.c., the HVI directory publishes exactly the same airflow for both: 150 CFM. Higher or lower on the curve, they part ways. They are not tested at the same airflows for heat recovery, and three FANTECH documents do not publish quite the same figures. This page follows the HVI directory and shows the other sources alongside.

At 0.4 in. w.c.: 150 CFM for both (HVI) At −25 °C: 63% at 72 CFM and 67% at 66 CFM FANTECH at −25 °C: 63% (HVI), 65% (2026 brochure)
FANTECH HERO 150H (AirGreen image)
FANTECH

HERO 150H

HRV, top ports · HVI 2505381

Product sheet, item 444777, rev. 2019-01-29 · brochure E1991, March 2026

See the product page
BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS (AirGreen image)
BROAN-NUTONE

V160H75RS

HRV, side ports · HVI 2505433

Spec sheet 1109196G · same HVI values as the vänEE V160H75RT

See the product page
Estimated operating cost

What the fans cost, in dollars per year

The HVI directory does not test both at the same airflow: the HERO 150H at 72 and 150 CFM, the V160H75RS at 64 and 129 CFM. We calculate each at its own test point, low airflow then high airflow, and each airflow is written next to the amount.

HVI test point, at 0 °C
Price per kWh (Rate D, April 1, 2026)
How this amount is calculated
  1. Power: the HVI directory watts at each test point at 0 °C. Low airflow: 60 W at 72 CFM (HERO 150H) and 28 W at 64 CFM (V160H75RS). High airflow: 150 W at 150 CFM and 100 W at 129 CFM.
  2. Energy: watts × hours per day × 365 days ÷ 1,000 = kWh per year.
  3. Price: Hydro-Québec Rate D in effect April 1, 2026 (7.065¢ up to 40 kWh a day, 11.142¢ above, 9.104¢ on average), multiplied by 1.14975 for GST and QST. The system access charge is not counted.

The test airflows are not the same from one unit to the other: the amount compares two test points, not two units set to the same airflow. The HVI directory also publishes fan efficacy at each point: 1.2 CFM per watt for the HERO 150H at 72 CFM, 2.3 for the V160H75RS at 64 CFM.

AirGreen method v1.1, ventilation, November 9, 2026. An estimate is for comparing units under the same conditions. The actual bill depends on the house, the settings and how the unit is used; this amount is not a promise.

The fan curve

Slide the static pressure, read the certified airflow

An air exchanger pushes air through ducts, elbows, grilles and an outdoor hood. Each one slows the air down. External static pressure adds up that resistance, in inches of water column (in. w.c.). The higher it goes, the less air the unit delivers. The two curves below are the HVI directory’s, point by point; nothing is drawn between two published points.

0.4 in. w.c. · 100 Pa
FANTECH HERO 150H150CFM net · HVI 2505381
BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS150CFM net · HVI 2505433
FANTECH HERO 150H, HVI directoryBROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS, HVI directory FANTECH 2019 spec sheet (not the directory)
What is typical for a house?

The spec sheets set no “normal” pressure. The HVI directory publishes each unit from 0.1 to 1.0 in. w.c.; the installer measures and balances the actual system.

Where the curves cross

Up to 0.3 in. w.c., the HERO 150H delivers more air. At 0.4 in., both are at 150 CFM. From 0.5 in., the V160H75RS delivers more: 114 versus 87 CFM at 1.0 in.

Two FANTECH curves

The 2019 FANTECH spec sheet publishes 161 CFM at 0.4 in.; the HVI directory, 150. This page follows the directory and shows the spec sheet as a dashed line.

Extreme cold

At −25 °C, what each document publishes

Sensible recovery efficiency (SRE) tells you what share of the heat in the outgoing air goes back into the fresh air. At −25 °C, the HVI directory publishes the two units at different test airflows (72 and 66 CFM). For the HERO 150H, the 2019 spec sheet and the 2026 brochure also publish a figure; it is not always the same.

HVI certified

FANTECH HERO 150H

63%

at 72 CFM, 105 W · adjusted SRE 67%

Per the manufacturer

FANTECH spec sheet, rev. 2019

63%

at 68 CFM, 85 W · item 444777

Per the manufacturer

FANTECH brochure E1991, 2026

65%

test airflow not stated · March 2026

HVI certified

BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS

67%

at 66 CFM, 43 W · adjusted SRE 69%

At 0 °C, every test point

Each point is a test published by the HVI directory: sensible recovery by test airflow. The two units are never tested at the same airflow; no line joins the points of two different units.

Defrost. HERO 150H: internal recirculation (Winterguard) below −5 °C, per the 2019 spec sheet; the 2026 brochure says “recirculation” without a temperature. V160H75RS: recirculation (Homeshield) from −5 °C, per spec sheet 1109196G. In both cases, house air circulates through the core to defrost it.

Controls

How each one is set

What the documents say about controls. They do not all name the same things; we write “not stated” when a document is silent, which does not mean the feature is missing.

Control, per the manufacturerFANTECH HERO 150HBROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS
Airflow adjustment on the unitFans balanced at the factory2019 spec sheetLCD screen on the unit, 35 to 160 CFM to the nearest CFMspec sheet 1109196G
BalancingFans balanced at the factory2019 spec sheetAutomatic, constant airflow (Virtuo Air)spec sheet 1109196G
Wall controls offeredECO-TOUCH IAQ, EDF8, ECO-FEEL EDF3, RTS-W2, RTS4controls table in brochure E1991; compatibility with the 150H not specifiedWall controls in the line, including an advanced touchscreen controlspec sheet 1109196G
Air-quality controlYes, ECO-TOUCH IAQ: increased ventilation based on TVOCbrochure E1991, p. 7Not stated in spec sheet 1109196G
Recirculation modeNot stated as a user mode in the documents consultedYes, from the wall controlspec sheet 1109196G
Construction

What is inside the cabinet

The spec sheets describe two different builds. For the HERO 150H filters, the 2019 spec sheet and the 2026 brochure do not say the same thing; we show both.

Recovery core

HERO 150H : counterflow, thermoformed polymer plates (2019 spec sheet). V160H75RS : cross-flow polypropylene.

spec sheet 444777spec sheet 1109196G
Fans and motors

HERO 150H : two backward-inclined fans, sealed ball bearings. V160H75RS : PMSM ECM motors. The 2026 brochure lists a separate HERO 150H-EC with an EC motor.

spec sheet 444777 · E1991spec sheet 1109196G
Factory filters

HERO 150H : two washable electrostatic filters and a MERV 8 on the fresh air (2019 spec sheet); built-in MERV 3 filter, MERV 8 and 13 optional (2026 brochure). V160H75RS : washable MERV 8, MERV 13 and HEPA optional.

spec sheet 444777 · E1991spec sheet 1109196G
Cabinet

HERO 150H : pre-painted galvanized steel, 24 gauge, insulated with 3/4 in. polystyrene. V160H75RS : galvanized steel.

spec sheet 444777spec sheet 1109196G
Dampers

HERO 150H : not stated in the 2019 spec sheet. V160H75RS : motorized dampers, no backdraft dampers to add per the spec sheet.

spec sheet 444777spec sheet 1109196G
Defrost

HERO 150H : Winterguard internal recirculation, below −5 °C. V160H75RS : Homeshield recirculation, from −5 °C.

spec sheet 444777spec sheet 1109196G
Installation

Ports on top or on the side

The HERO 150H has its four 6 in. round ports on top, with rubber gaskets per its spec sheet. The V160H75RS has its 6 in. ports on the side, which makes it lower: 19.13 in. versus 24.88 in.

FANTECH HERO 150H27.88 × 13.38 × 24.88 in. (W × D × H) · 51 lb
FANTECH HERO 150H
BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS23.38 × 16.13 × 19.13 in. (W × D × H) · 35 lb
BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS

Left, the manufacturer photo, in perspective. Right, the outline of the front, width × height, to the same scale for both (diagram). Dimensions and weight per the manufacturer documents.

Installation, per the manufacturerFANTECH HERO 150HBROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS
Duct portsround6 in., on top, rubber gaskets6 in., on the side
Dimensions W × D × H27.88 × 13.38 × 24.88 in.23.38 × 16.13 × 19.13 in.
Unit weight51 lb35 lb
Power supply120 V, 1.4 A, 180 W120 V, 60 Hz, 2.4 A, 163 W
DrainNot stated in the 2019 spec sheet or the 2026 brochureYes, snap-in drain, hose supplied
CoreCounterflow, thermoformed polymerPolypropylene, cross-flow
CabinetPre-painted galvanized steel, insulatedGalvanized steel
Questions

What people ask about these two air exchangers

Which one delivers more air?

It depends on duct resistance. Per the HVI directory, the HERO 150H delivers more air up to 0.3 in. w.c. (176 versus 163 CFM at 0.1 in.), both are at 150 CFM at 0.4 in., and the V160H75RS delivers more beyond that (114 versus 87 CFM at 1.0 in.).

Why three different figures for the HERO 150H at −25 °C?

The HVI directory publishes 63% at 72 CFM and 105 W. The 2019 FANTECH spec sheet publishes 63% at 68 CFM and 85 W. The March 2026 brochure publishes 65%, with no test airflow. This page follows the HVI directory, which is the certification; the other two documents are shown as manufacturer values.

Can their recovery at 0 °C be compared?

Not at the same airflow: the HVI directory tests the HERO 150H at 72, 93 and 150 CFM, and the V160H75RS at 36, 47, 64 and 129 CFM. The scatter chart in the “Extreme cold” section shows them all, without joining the two units.

Is the V160H75RS the same as the vänEE V160H75RT?

The HVI directory publishes the same values for both, and they share spec sheet 1109196G. The V160H75RS has its ports on the side, the V160H75RT on top. An AirGreen page compares their names and their sources.

Is there a HERO 150H with an EC motor?

Yes, brochure E1991 presents a separate HERO 150H-EC, listed separately in the HVI directory. This page compares the HERO 150H, the model sold on the AirGreen product page.

What about noise and warranty?

The documents consulted publish no sound level for these two models, and this page does not compare warranties. The warranty documents for the unit chosen come with the quote.

All values

Every HVI directory value

HVI directory, section III, data as of November 4, 2026. Airflows at the same static pressure compare directly; recovery points do not.

MeasurementFANTECH HERO 150HBROAN-NUTONE V160H75RS
Net airflow delivered, same static pressure
Airflow at 0.1 in. w.c. (25 Pa)176 CFM163 CFM
Airflow at 0.2 in. w.c. (50 Pa)167 CFM159 CFM
Airflow at 0.3 in. w.c. (75 Pa)159 CFM155 CFM
Airflow at 0.4 in. w.c. (100 Pa)150 CFM150 CFM
Airflow at 0.6 in. w.c. (150 Pa)129 CFM140 CFM
Airflow at 0.8 in. w.c. (200 Pa)110 CFM127 CFM
Airflow at 1.0 in. w.c. (250 Pa)87 CFM114 CFM
Airflow at 1.2 in. w.c. (300 Pa)64 CFMLast published point: 114 CFM at 1.0 in.
Recovery at 0 °C, different test airflows
Low test airflownet fresh air72 CFM, 60 W64 CFM, 28 W
Sensible recovery efficiency (SRE) at low airflow80%adjusted 86%77%adjusted 80%
High test airflownet fresh air150 CFM, 150 W129 CFM, 100 W
Sensible recovery efficiency (SRE) at high airflow75%adjusted 82%66%adjusted 71%
Recovery at −25 °C, different test airflows
Test airflownet fresh air72 CFM, 105 W66 CFM, 43 W
Sensible recovery efficiency (SRE)63%adjusted 67%67%adjusted 69%
Certification
HVI directory, section IIIYes, listing 2505381Yes, listing 2505433
ENERGY STAR2019 spec sheet: yes, Canada onlySpec sheet: yes, Canada onlybroan-nutone.com page: no

“Higher” marks the higher value of the same measurement, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Only airflows at the same static pressure are marked. The HERO 150H is also tested at 93 CFM (77 W, SRE 78%, adjusted 83%); the V160H75RS at 36 CFM (18 W, 82%) and 47 CFM (22 W, 79%).

Both are on the AirGreen website.

The right choice depends on the resistance of your duct system and the room for the ports. Talk to our team.

Sources and documents

Where every figure comes from

HVI, Certified Products Directory, section IIIPublication 911, data as of November 4, 2026 · listings 2505381 and 2505433 · consulted November 9, 2026
FANTECH HERO 150H spec sheetItem 444777, revision 2019-01-29 · consulted November 5, 2026
FANTECH HERO and ATMO brochure“Fresh Air is Our Super Power”, E1991, March 2026 (Systemair) · model and control tables · consulted November 9, 2026
vänEE / BROAN-NUTONE V160H75RT and V160H75RS spec sheetBroan-NuTone LLC / Venmar Ventilation ULC, performance sheet 1109196G, undated · consulted November 5, 2026
V160H75RS product page, broan-nutone.comENERGY STAR: no · consulted November 5, 2026
Hydro-Québec, Electricity RatesIn effect April 1, 2026 · Rate D, section 2.5 · fan cost