vb,

is this an existing house that you have a problem with or a house under constrction?

what part of country?

In any type of tight construction whether it be sip, icf or some other will always need a HRV. You are trapping lots of gases off furniture, carpet, cooking, bathrooms, etc. that have to be vented. When you vent you expel heat as well. Its best to keep as much of the heat and expel the gases and orders. Unless its not cold in your area I would go to an HRV.

you can economically introduce fresh air and positive pressure without an HRV or ERV. In northern climates it is a little more important to use an HRV.
If you are building "Green" you should be looking at the "off gassing" of the product you introduce into the living space. If you don't put it in the house you need not worry about the gases and odors

Will an HRV work If I can't duct to all rooms ?

If you have a two story house you can duct through open web floor joists. If it is one story you could try to put in some boxed in plenums for the ducts that also provide some architectural detail. The plenums could include uplighting that washes across a cathedral ceiling or inset downlights. The HRV ducts don't have to go to every room but should be planned in a way that tends to ventilate the entire house. For example exhaust bathrooms, laundry and storage areas to outside and provide fresh air to bedrooms and other living areas. The intake and exhaust spaces will naturally equalize providing air flow through the home.

Yes an HRV will work, but I have not seen a house yet that cannot be fully ducted with ceiling drops or bulkheads

Vb since it's early on in the design phase I would highly recommend the book by Phd Joseph Lstiburek called "Builder's guide to Structural Insulated Panels" (for all climates) it will be the best $40.00 or so dolllars you will spend on building your sip house. Many on this forum have probably heard of him and know he is one of the industry leaders on building practices and forensics. The book has a good section on different methods of how to ventilate and the reasons why. Even though he is a Phd it is a very easy read and a wealth of info. Remember to build it tight but ventilate it right.

VB- I agree with many of the posts. Chris is right, if you are still in the design phase, I think that ducting and ventilation should be built into the design. Several contractors I work with box out the ridge(s) to run properly sized round duct work at the ridge to reach all areas of your new home. A HRV is essential in your cool humid climate.

Joe Quinn
Regional Sales Manager
Enercept Building Systems
(800) 658-3303

Thanks guys I'll get the book, it sounds like good reading but no way am I going to cover my (future) beautiful ridge beam or drop my vaulted ceiling. I'll figure something out.. Hey Joe, I knew a Joe Quinn once. Did you ever live in the PNW?

VB;

no need to cover up ridge beam, you should rely on your designers creativity to disguise the duct runs, such as making a plant shelf that doubles as a main trunk line, drop closets to conceal duct supply lines