Description
Panasonic WhisperComfort 60 Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) FV-06VE1
If you manage a tight, efficient building, you already know the downside: exhaust-only ventilation can pull your space into negative pressure. That can mean drafty entryways, doors that fight you, and outside air sneaking in through all the wrong places. The Panasonic WhisperComfort 60 ERV helps by running balanced ventilation, exhausting stale air while supplying fresh air at the same time. It is a compact, high-efficiency ERV built to support ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation requirements without turning your install into a headache.
Built for code-driven projects and real-world verification
On commercial and light commercial jobs, verification matters. WhisperComfort 60 is designed with static pressure access ports that make it easier to confirm airflow for ASHRAE 62.2 compliance. It is also HVI certified for energy recovery and sound, which helps on projects with documentation requirements and energy-efficiency standards. Panasonic positions it as a fit for new construction and remodels, including single-family and multi-family energy-efficient projects.
Dialed-in airflow for the way your building is actually used
This unit includes a built-in multi-speed selector so you can set supply and exhaust airflow independently from 20 to 50 CFM using a simple dial. That helps when you are matching a ventilation plan, adapting to occupancy changes, or accommodating different room uses. You can set it for balanced pressure, or slightly positive or slightly negative if your layout calls for it.
When a space needs a quick bump in ventilation, the occupant-controllable Boost function increases fan speed to 60 CFM when activated. This is a solid fit for restrooms near a small office suite, a break room after lunch, a conference room that suddenly fills up, or any area where you want extra air movement without changing your baseline settings.
Energy and moisture recovery across climate zones
WhisperComfort 60 is engineered for use in virtually any North America climate zone, using a high-efficiency capillary core that transfers both heat and moisture between outgoing and incoming air streams. The goal is to bring in fresh air while reducing heating and cooling penalties, while also helping keep indoor moisture closer to where you want it.
In humid conditions, the core helps expel moisture during high relative humidity events. In winter, it helps return moisture back inside for a healthier, more comfortable interior environment. The core is permeated with an anti-mold treatment to help prevent mold.
- Sensible Recovery Efficiency: 70% at 32°F
- Total Recovery Efficiency: 60% at 95°F
Quiet, efficient operation for occupied spaces
Noise is often the difference between a system people accept and a system people disable. WhisperComfort 60 uses two DC Panasonic ECM brushless motors designed for quiet, efficient continuous-run operation. They are totally enclosed for long-life use and each motor includes a thermal cutoff fuse.
- 60 CFM at 0.1" SP: 2.5 sones (with 4-inch duct)
- 40 CFM at 0.1" SP: 0.9 sones (with 4-inch duct)
Better filtration for cleaner supply air
Bringing outside air into a commercial space means filtration matters. WhisperComfort 60 uses two filters to protect the core and clean the airstreams. Incoming supply air uses a replaceable MERV 13 filter, and the return side includes a reusable dust filter to protect the core from outgoing air. An indicator light helps signal when it is time to check and clean filters.
Panasonic recommends vacuuming both filters every 2 to 3 months as needed, inspecting the supply filter every 90 days, and replacing the supply filter every 6 months to help maintain performance.
Installation flexibility for remodels and tight mechanical plans
This ERV is built to be straightforward to place on the job. It uses a two-duct structure with two 4-inch or 5-inch outlets, one for exhaust and one for supply. The unit can be wall or ceiling mounted and is UL listed for either mounting method. It measures 14 inches wide and fits between joists 16 inches on center, with adjustable brackets and screws included to secure the unit.
It does not require connection to the central HVAC and it does not require a condensation line. That can be a big win for retrofit jobs, tenant improvements, or any install where tying into existing ductwork is difficult.
Power and wiring basics
At 60 CFM, power consumption is listed at 39 watts, with a power rating of 120V, 60Hz. House power lands in the unit junction box using three wires for the power supply connection. The junction box also includes switch leads for Boost and Standby, listed as two red wires for 60 CFM Boost (Hi-Lo) and two blue wires for Standby.
Optional accessory for cleaner exterior penetrations
Panasonic’s optional WhisperVent Wall Cap can run both exhaust and supply through a single 7.5-inch building penetration. Internal dividers and a Y-shaped chamber are designed to help prevent cross contamination, and it is rated for up to 100 CFM per side. This accessory is sold separately, but it can be helpful when wall space is limited or you want fewer façade penetrations.
Controls and accessory support
Panasonic calls out Swidget accessories as a good fit for controlling Boost and Standby, including a 20-40-60 timer switch option and an IAQ sensor insert for Boost control, plus an auxiliary switch and Wi-Fi control insert for Standby control.
Where this ERV fits best
WhisperComfort 60 is a strong match for tight, efficiency-focused projects where you need balanced ventilation in a compact footprint and want airflow you can set and verify. It works well on remodels and smaller footprint installs where connecting to central HVAC is not desired, and in occupied spaces where quiet operation and better filtration matter.
Features:
- 60 CFM Boost
- Dual DC Motors
- MERV 13 Filter
- HVI Certified for Sound and Performance
- Multi-Speed selector to adjust CFM
- Independent Supply & Exhaust Multi-Speed Selector
- Choice of 4" or 5" Duct
- Static pressure ports for airflow verification
- Revised Stylish Grill
- 6 Year motor warranty, 3 Year warrant for all other components
Frequently Asked Questions About the Panasonic WhisperComfort 60 ERV
A standard exhaust fan only removes air, which can pull a building into negative pressure and draw outside air through cracks, doors, and other uncontrolled paths. An ERV provides balanced ventilation by exhausting stale indoor air while bringing in outdoor air through a dedicated intake. It also transfers heat and moisture between the two air streams, so you get fresh air with less impact on heating and cooling loads than exhaust only ventilation.
No. The WhisperComfort 60 is designed to run as a standalone balanced ventilation system using its own supply and exhaust duct runs. For many commercial retrofits and tenant improvements, that keeps the job simpler because you are not reworking the main air distribution system just to add outdoor air.
The unit includes an onboard selector that lets you set supply and exhaust airflow independently for your normal operating rate. For times when the space gets busier or you want a short ventilation increase after an odor event, the Boost function raises airflow to a higher setting when triggered by a compatible control or switch wiring.
The supply side uses a replaceable MERV 13 filter to clean incoming outdoor air, and the exhaust side uses a reusable dust filter to help protect the energy recovery core. A practical routine is to check filters on a schedule that matches your site conditions, vacuum the reusable filter as needed, and replace the MERV 13 supply filter on a regular interval so airflow and recovery performance stay where you want them.
No. The WhisperComfort 60 is designed to operate without a condensate drain line, which helps on installs where routing drainage is difficult or where you are mounting in a ceiling or wall cavity.
