ERV
ERV turns up in 2 fields: HVAC, aviation. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
ERV in HVAC
Energy recovery ventilator: a unit that swaps heat and moisture between outgoing exhaust air and incoming fresh air.
Energy recovery ventilator. A fixed-plate core or rotating wheel lets the two airstreams trade heat and water vapor without mixing much air, so incoming air arrives closer to indoor conditions in both summer and winter. An HRV, heat recovery ventilator, transfers heat only. ERVs suit humid climates and tight homes, and their cores and filters need regular cleaning to keep airflow and effectiveness up.
"ERV filters are packed solid, that's why the bathrooms smell and the supply side is barely moving air."
ERV in aviation
Earth Return Vehicle, a spacecraft designed to bring crew or samples back to Earth.
Earth Return Vehicle. A dedicated spacecraft designed to transport astronauts or planetary samples from another celestial body back to Earth. In mission architectures like Mars Direct, the ERV is launched and fueled in advance, waiting on the surface before the crew even departs Earth.
"The mission profile requires the ERV to be fully fueled by in-situ resource utilization before the crew launches."