What Is HVI Certification and Why Does It Matter?

What Is HVI?

HVI stands for the Home Ventilating Institute, an organization focused on advancing responsible residential ventilation practices through product certification, stakeholder education, and participation in codes and standards.

In simple terms, HVI helps make ventilation performance easier to trust. When a bathroom fan, range hood, supply fan, inline fan, heat recovery ventilator, or energy recovery ventilator carries an HVI-Certified rating, that rating is not just a manufacturer claim. It is based on testing performed through HVI procedures at independent, HVI-designated laboratories and validated through HVI’s certification program.

The HVI-Certified Products Directory gives homeowners, contractors, builders, and code officials a central place to verify certified residential ventilation product ratings.

Why HVI Certification Matters

Ventilation products are often compared by airflow, noise level, and energy use. Without a trusted certification program, those numbers can be difficult to compare from one product to another.

HVI certification gives homeowners, contractors, builders, and code officials a more reliable way to evaluate residential ventilation products. The HVI-Certified label helps verify that advertised performance ratings are measured using consistent procedures rather than inconsistent or unclear testing methods.

Independent testing matters because it helps create a fair comparison between similar products. Manufacturers submit eligible products for certification, independent laboratories test the products according to HVI procedures, HVI validates qualifying ratings, and certified models are published in the HVI-Certified Products Directory.

Who Benefits?	How HVI Certification Helps
Homeowners	Makes it easier to compare fans, range hoods, and ventilation products using credible performance ratings.
Contractors	Supports product selection, proper sizing, and more confident recommendations.
Builders	Helps support code compliance, energy-program planning, product standardization, and customer satisfaction.
Architects and specifiers	Provides recognized performance data for residential ventilation product specifications.
Code officials and inspectors	Provides a recognized directory for checking certified ventilation product ratings.

How Are Products HVI Certified?

Manufacturers voluntarily submit eligible residential ventilation products for testing and certification according to HVI procedures. Products are tested by independent laboratories, and qualifying models are listed in the HVI-Certified Products Directory.

The HVI-Certified label helps confirm that the product’s advertised airflow, sound, input power, energy recovery, efficacy, and other applicable ratings are credible and comparable. This is especially helpful when choosing products such as bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen ventilation, supply fans, inline fans, and whole-home ventilation equipment.

Airflow Ratings

Airflow is one of the most important ventilation measurements. Cubic feet per minute, or CFM, measures how much air a ventilation product moves each minute.

A fan with too little airflow may not remove enough moisture, odors, or pollutants. A fan with appropriate airflow is more likely to support good ventilation performance when selected and installed correctly.

Certified airflow is measured under standardized test conditions. Actual installed airflow can still be affected by duct length, duct size, elbows, exterior termination fittings, static pressure, installation quality, and maintenance.

Sound Ratings

Sound ratings help homeowners understand how loud a ventilation product will be during operation. Bathroom fans are commonly rated in sones. A sone is a unit used to describe perceived loudness; lower sone ratings generally mean quieter operation.

This matters because people are more likely to use a fan consistently when it is quiet and comfortable. A noisy fan may be turned off too soon or avoided altogether, reducing its effectiveness.

Energy Ratings

Energy performance helps homeowners and builders compare how efficiently a ventilation product operates. Energy-efficient ventilation is especially important in modern homes, where continuous or frequent ventilation may be needed to support indoor air quality.

For HRVs and ERVs, certified ratings may also include performance values related to heat or energy recovery. These ratings can help builders, contractors, and homeowners compare whole-home ventilation efficiency more accurately.

HVI-Certified Rating	What It Helps Confirm	Why It Matters
Airflow	The amount of air a ventilation product moves, usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).	Helps ensure the fan is appropriately sized for the room or ventilation need.
Sound	The noise level of the product, commonly measured in sones.	Helps homeowners compare comfort and choose quieter ventilation options.
Input power and efficacy	The power used by the product and how efficiently it moves air.	Helps identify efficient products that support energy-conscious home design.
Energy recovery performance	For HRVs and ERVs, how effectively the product transfers heat or energy between air streams.	Helps builders and homeowners compare whole-home ventilation efficiency.

How to Identify an HVI-Certified Product

To identify an HVI-Certified product, look for the HVI-Certified label and verify the model in the HVI-Certified Products Directory. The directory lists certified residential ventilation products and their applicable performance ratings.

On Broan-NuTone product pages, if a product is HVI certified, that certification will be specified in the product specification table and in the product specification sheet. The spec table and spec sheet are helpful places to confirm product details such as airflow, sound rating, energy performance, and certification information before selecting a model.

Where to Check	What to Look For
Product page	Certification information in the specification table when the product is HVI certified.
Product specification sheet	HVI certification details and published performance ratings when applicable.
HVI-Certified Products Directory	The product model and its certified airflow, sound, energy, or recovery-performance ratings.
Product label or documentation	HVI-Certified logo or certification language, depending on the product and documentation format.

When comparing products, make sure the model number matches exactly. Similar-looking models may have different airflow ratings, sound ratings, features, or certifications.

HVI Certification vs ENERGY STAR Certification

HVI certification and ENERGY STAR certification are related but not the same. HVI provides certified performance ratings for residential ventilation products. ENERGY STAR identifies products that meet specific energy-efficiency criteria for their category.

Some ventilation products may be both HVI certified and ENERGY STAR certified. When evaluating a product, check the product documentation, Broan-NuTone specification sheet, HVI-Certified Products Directory, and ENERGY STAR product information as applicable.

Feature	HVI Certification	ENERGY STAR Certification
Main purpose	Provides certified performance ratings for residential ventilation products.	Identifies products that meet defined energy-efficiency criteria.
Airflow ratings	Yes, for applicable certified product categories.	Uses product performance data as part of qualification requirements where applicable.
Sound ratings	Yes, for applicable certified product categories.	May include sound-related criteria depending on product type and program requirements.
Energy performance	Includes input power, efficacy, or energy recovery ratings for applicable products.	Focuses on energy-efficiency qualification criteria.
Best use	Comparing certified ventilation performance ratings.	Identifying products that meet ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements.

Benefits of Proper Ventilation

Proper ventilation helps remove stale indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air or exhaust polluted air from specific areas of the home. In bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and tightly built homes, ventilation plays a direct role in comfort, cleanliness, and moisture control.

Effective ventilation can help:

• Remove airborne particles that may aggravate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory concerns
• Reduce moisture that can contribute to condensation, mold growth, and damage to building materials
• Remove odors from bathrooms, kitchens, and utility spaces
• Reduce concentrations of indoor pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Help manage carbon dioxide levels in occupied spaces
• Support a cleaner, more comfortable indoor environment

Ventilation is especially important in newer, tighter homes. As homes become more energy efficient and air leaks are reduced, mechanical ventilation becomes a more important part of maintaining healthy indoor air quality. For more guidance, read Why Airtight Homes Need Proper Ventilation.

Should You Choose an HVI-Certified Product?

In most residential ventilation projects, choosing an HVI-Certified product is a smart starting point because it gives you standardized ratings for comparing performance. This is especially useful when replacing a bathroom fan, selecting a range hood, specifying products for new construction, planning whole-home ventilation, or choosing equipment for code-related ventilation requirements.

However, certification alone does not guarantee installed performance. The product must still be properly sized, installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, connected to appropriate ductwork, vented to the correct location, and maintained over time.

How HVI Ratings Support Code and Standard-Based Selection

Many residential ventilation projects are designed around building codes, energy codes, or ventilation standards such as ASHRAE 62.2. HVI-certified performance ratings can help builders, contractors, and code officials confirm that selected ventilation equipment has tested and certified airflow and sound ratings for the intended application.

Because code requirements vary by jurisdiction and adopted standard version, homeowners and professionals should always confirm local requirements before selecting or installing ventilation equipment.

HVI’s Role in the Ventilation Industry

The Home Ventilating Institute was founded in 1955 by manufacturers of bathroom fans who recognized the need for fair and accurate product performance information. Today, HVI represents a wide range of residential ventilation product categories, including bathroom exhaust fans, range hoods, supply fans, inline fans, HRVs, and ERVs.

Since its founding, HVI has helped increase awareness of the need for adequate and proper ventilation. Its certification program assists builders, contractors, code officials, and consumers in choosing ventilation products that are appropriate for their application.

HVI standards and test procedures are commonly referenced by building programs, energy programs, and code-related resources because they provide a recognized method for comparing residential ventilation products.

Broan-NuTone is proud to be a founding member of the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) since 1955, helping establish trusted industry standards for residential ventilation. As a leader in home ventilation solutions, Broan-NuTone designs high-performance products that improve airflow, enhance comfort, and promote healthier indoor air quality throughout the home. Committed to advancing the ventilation industry, Broan-NuTone actively supports initiatives that drive better ventilation practices, stronger product standards, and healthier indoor environments. Every Broan-NuTone ventilation product is HVI tested, ensuring reliable performance, energy efficiency, and compliance with rigorous industry benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HVI certification mean?

HVI certification means a residential ventilation product has been tested according to HVI procedures and that its published performance ratings, such as airflow, sound, input power, efficacy, or energy recovery performance, have been validated through HVI’s certification program.

Why should I look for an HVI-Certified ventilation product?

An HVI-Certified product gives you more confidence that the advertised performance ratings are reliable and comparable. This makes it easier to compare fans, range hoods, and other residential ventilation products before buying.

How do I know if a Broan-NuTone product is HVI certified?

On Broan-NuTone product pages, HVI certification will be specified in the product specification table and in the product specification sheet when the product is HVI certified. You can also verify certified models in the HVI-Certified Products Directory.

What does CFM mean on a ventilation fan?

CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It measures how much air a ventilation product moves each minute. Higher CFM generally means more airflow, but the right CFM depends on the room, application, code requirements, and installation conditions.

What does sone mean on a bathroom fan?

A sone is a unit used to describe perceived loudness. For bathroom fans and other ventilation products, a lower sone rating generally means quieter operation.

Does HVI certification apply only to bathroom fans?

No. HVI certification applies to several residential ventilation product categories, including bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen ventilation products, supply fans, inline fans, HRVs, and ERVs.

Is HVI certification the same as ENERGY STAR certification?

No. HVI and ENERGY STAR are different programs. HVI provides certified ventilation performance ratings, while ENERGY STAR identifies products that meet specific energy-efficiency requirements. Some products may be both HVI certified and ENERGY STAR certified.

Where can I check if a product is HVI certified?

You can check certified products in the HVI-Certified Products Directory, which lists residential ventilation products that have qualified under HVI procedures.

Does HVI certification guarantee good installation performance?

No. HVI certification verifies that published ratings are established under standardized procedures and certification requirements. Actual performance still depends on proper product selection, duct design, installation quality, exterior terminations, static pressure, and routine maintenance.

Can HVI-certified ratings help with code compliance?

Yes. HVI-certified airflow and sound ratings can help professionals select ventilation equipment for projects that must meet residential ventilation code or standard requirements. Local code requirements vary, so builders and contractors should confirm the applicable rules in their jurisdiction.