What Nu-Air does

Nu-Air Ventilation Inc. is a privately held Canadian manufacturer of residential, light commercial, and code-compliant Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), established in 1992 and headquartered in Windsor, Nova Scotia. The product portfolio spans three tiers — residential ES/SE/NU series (under 38 lbs, aluminum construction, including the 2025-launched ES120E with patented reversible frost management), light commercial NU305–NU2200 models, and compliant ECM1000/NU0820/NU1030/NU2035/NU2540 models ranging from 180 to 4,000 CFM — supported by proprietary wall controls (Lumina/NAV-561, NAV460, Win-20, Win-1, DSTAT-1) and accessories (tandem hoods, replacement filters). Core technology centers on crossflow ERV cores delivering sensible and latent energy recovery, with patented frost management enabling HVI-certified operation down to -25°C and a co-invented integrated fireplace/HRV system. Two registered patents and ongoing IRAP/SR&ED R&D programs anchor the technical differentiation.

The company sells exclusively through channel partners — HVAC distributors, wholesalers, contractors, builders, and developers — with secondary e-commerce distribution for replacement filters via Gas Experts and Kent. Its GTM is supported by two proprietary digital tools (Selection/Spec Software and a Cross-Reference Tool) that embed Nu-Air into contractor specification workflows. Customer segments are use-case-driven (Residential, Light Commercial, Compliant) and span North America and Asia-Pacific. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of units, controls, and accessories, with aftermarket filter replacement as a recurring element. The company is led by CEO Philippe Hanna, with VP Engineering Brian K. Gibbon (since 1997, co-inventor of the fireplace/HRV patent) overseeing a 5-person Engineering Department, and Director of Logistics and Operations Heather Taylor (since 1999). Ownership has transitioned from founder Earl Caldwell and currently shows no institutional investor or parent company disclosed.

Name

Nu-Air

Legal name

Nu-Air Ventilation Inc.

Website

https://nu-airventilation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nu-Air Ventilation is a privately held Canadian manufacturer of HRV and ERV systems for residential, light commercial, and code-compliant buildings, founded in 1992 in Windsor, Nova Scotia, selling through HVAC distributors, contractors, and builders across North America and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVAC Ventilation Equipment

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)

SIC

Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Dampers, Louvers & Ventilation Controls (IMADANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Heat Exchangers & Thermal Transfer Equipment (IMAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Heat recovery ventilation
• Energy recovery ventilation
• HVAC ventilation equipment
• Indoor air quality
• Residential light commercial HRV ERV

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. HRV/ERV Unit Sales: Sale of heat recovery and energy recovery ventilation units across residential, light commercial, and compliant/commercial product lines. Units are sold through channel partners including distributors, wholesalers, and HVAC contractors.
2. Accessories and Replacement Filters: Replacement filters (Part# NUF500), Tandem Hoods (THA5, THA6), and other accessories sold through HVAC technicians and online retailers.
3. Controls: Wall controls including Lumina (NAV-561), NAV460 timers, Win-20, Win-1, and DSTAT-1 humidity controllers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nu-Air Ventilation manufactures and sells Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) across residential, light commercial, and compliant/institutional product lines, built around crossflow core technology with sensible and latent energy recovery. The company also offers compatible wall controls, timers, tandem hoods, and replacement filters, and provides free online Selection/Spec Software and Cross-Reference tools to support contractor and specifier product selection.

Product overview

Nu-Air Ventilation is a manufacturer of HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) and ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) systems established in 1992, based in Windsor, Nova Scotia. The product portfolio spans three main lines: Residential ERV/HRVs (ES095, ES100, ES115E, ES120E, ES160, NU145, SE135, SE182 models), Light Commercial ERV/HRVs (NU305, NU500, NU600, NU800, NU1200, NU1600, NU2200 models), and Compliant ERV/HRVs for higher-capacity applications (ECM1000, NU0820, NU1030, NU2035, NU2540 models). The ecosystem includes Controls (Lumina NAV-561, NAV460 timer, Win-20 timer, Win-1 controller, DSTAT-1 humidity controller) and Accessories (Tandem Hoods THA5/THA6, Replacement Filters). The company also provides proprietary Selection/Spec Software and Cross-Reference Tools for product configuration and specification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential HRV/ERV Units (ES, SE, NU145 series)

Quantifiable outcome

• HVI Certification to -25°C/-13°F for select models (ES115E, ES120E, NU145)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lifebreath: Canadian HRV/ERV manufacturer offering a comparable product family and serving the same residential and light commercial Canadian market as Nu-Air.
• Zehnder Group: Swiss-headquartered global leader in heat recovery ventilation with overlapping HRV/ERV product lines, competing in premium and cold-climate segments where Nu-Air also plays.
• Aldes: European HVAC and ventilation manufacturer with HRV/ERV product lines that compete with Nu-Air, particularly in residential and light commercial applications.
• RenewAire: Wisconsin-based energy recovery ventilator manufacturer competing in residential and commercial ERV segments with similar crossflow core technology.
• Broan-NuTone: Major North American residential ventilation and HRV/ERV manufacturer. Direct competitor to Nu-Air across residential and light commercial segments, with broader product depth and larger distribution scale.
• Panasonic Eco Solutions (Ventilation): Manufactures HRV/ERV systems under its Eco Solutions division with comparable residential product positioning and broad distribution reach that Nu-Air competes against.
• Venmar: Canadian HRV/ERV brand (part of Broan-NuTone) with strong overlap to Nu-Air's residential and light commercial lines and shared Canadian distribution channels.
• Air King Limited: Residential ventilation products manufacturer; notable as the prior employer of Nu-Air's new Production Manager Pat O'Brien, indicating direct talent overlap in the Canadian residential ventilation industry.
• Fantech: Ventilation fan and ERV manufacturer (part of Systemair) directly competing with Nu-Air in residential and light commercial HRV/ERV categories.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Building Technologies: Broad HVAC and building controls incumbent whose commercial ventilation and controls portfolio overlaps with Nu-Air's compliant product line and controller accessories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nu-Air