Definitions that matter
HRV recovers sensible heat only through a solid plate. ERV recovers both temperature and moisture - either via an enthalpy (membrane) plate that keeps streams separated, or a desiccant wheel that rotates between them.
Plate HRV: simple and safe
A sensible plate core is contamination-free, has no moving parts and needs little maintenance. It is the default where exhaust may carry particulates or odors.
Enthalpy plate versus wheel
An enthalpy membrane plate adds humidity recovery while still isolating the streams - no carry-over. A wheel is highly efficient but mixes a small amount of exhaust into supply, so it is unsuitable for hygiene-sensitive or contaminated exhaust.
Selection rule
For comfort with humidity control, choose an enthalpy plate; for contaminated or must-not-recirculate exhaust, choose a sensible plate. Reserve wheels for clean commercial HVAC where carry-over is acceptable. This mirrors the broader plate vs rotary selection logic.