Navigating Ventilation Fan Certifications: UL, ETL, and HVI Explained
Navigating Ventilation Fan Certifications: UL, ETL, and HVI Explained
At Byson, we’re often asked about the certifications we carry on our electrical products — especially when it comes to ventilation fans. Questions like “What does ETL mean?”, “Is this fan certified for use in Canada?”, or “Why does this model cost more than an uncertified one?” come up all the time.
So, we’ve put together this post to explain the three key certifications you’ll see on quality ventilation products: UL, ETL, and HVI — what they mean, why they matter, and what to consider when making a purchase.
UL and ETL: Safety You Can Trust
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and ETL (by Intertek) are both independent safety testing organizations recognized in North America. When you see a fan labeled UL Listed or ETL Listed, it means it has been tested against safety standards — particularly for fire and electrical risks.
They don’t just test products once. Certified products go through initial and ongoing testing, and factories are subject to audits to ensure continued compliance.
You might also see certifications that look like cULus or cETLus. Here’s what those letters mean:
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“c” means the product is certified for Canada, following Canadian safety standards (CSA).
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“us” means it’s certified for use in the United States, under American (UL/ANSI) standards.
So, when you see cETLus or cULus, it means the product is tested and approved for use in both countries — a key factor for compliance if you're installing in Canada or working with a building inspector.
HVI 2100: Performance You Can Believe In
While UL and ETL focus on safety, the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) provides certification for performance. HVI 2100 is the gold standard in North America for ventilation fan ratings.
If a fan is HVI 2100 certified, it means its claims — such as CFM (airflow), sound level (sones), and energy use — were tested and verified by an independent lab under standardized conditions.
Why does that matter? Because a lot of fans make bold performance claims, but without HVI certification, there's no guarantee those numbers are real.
Source: Home Ventilating Institute
Benefits of Choosing Certified Fans
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Safety assurance — UL or ETL certification means your fan has passed fire and electrical hazard testing.
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Compliance-ready — cETLus or cULus listings make inspections smoother in both the U.S. and Canada.
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Performance you can trust — HVI 2100 ensures the fan does what the label says.
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Professional-grade quality — These certifications are often required in commercial or permitted residential work.
What to Keep in Mind
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Certified products cost more — Testing, compliance, and ongoing inspection all add cost (but also value).
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Some uncertified fans may work fine — But without third-party verification, you're trusting marketing alone.
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Certifications aren’t everything — They prove a product is safe and accurate, but they don’t tell you if it’s the right fit for your specific space. That still depends on your layout, usage, and design needs.
How BysonX Does It
With our BysonX line of advanced electrical ventilation products, we’ve chosen to pursue both cETLus and HVI 2100 certifications — because we know that safety, compliance, and verified performance aren’t optional in today’s homes and buildings.
It might make our fans a little more expensive than some unverified options out there — but for many of our customers, knowing the product meets both Canadian and U.S. standards, and performs as promised, is worth it.
Have questions about a specific product’s certifications?
We're always happy to help clarify — just reach out.