Your Comprehensive Guide to Energy Recovery Ventilators
Today’s well-insulated homes save energy, but if they’re not properly ventilated, they can still trap allergens and damage your health. One way to combat this problem is to install an energy recovery ventilator in your Louisville, Kentucky, home. Energy recovery ventilators are a cost-effective way to remove contaminants and improve indoor air quality while using less energy.
What Is an Energy Recovery Ventilator?
An energy recovery ventilator is a type of ventilation system that brings a precise amount of freshly filtered outdoor air into your home while removing stale indoor air. There are four types of energy recovery ventilators to choose from: rotary heat exchanger, plate heat exchanger, heat-pipe heat exchanger, and runaround loop coil.
These ERVs transfer heat and moisture between the incoming and outgoing air. This capability greatly reduces the load on your HVAC system, meaning your unit won’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable.
ERVs Keep Humidity Levels in Check
A home’s relative humidity level has a huge impact on your overall comfort. In the summer, high humidity levels make it feel warmer. In the winter, dry indoor air can cause dry skin and itchy throats. Thanks to its ability to transfer moisture, an ERV helps keep your home’s humidity levels in check throughout the year.
During the winter, an ERV retains the moisture from the air that it’s sending outside. During the summer, it pre-conditions and dehumidifies the air it brings inside. Combined, these two capabilities decrease the need to use your HVAC system while maintaining the relative humidity level in your home. This helps you and your family stay comfortable while reducing your energy consumption and minimizing the strain on your HVAC system.
They Promote Fresh Air
Due to contaminants such as pet dander, dust, pollen, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), many homes have problems with poor indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution can cause respiratory problems, headaches, fatigue, and a host of other issues. It’s particularly troubling for young children and those who suffer from asthma or allergies.
ERVs are designed with air quality in mind. All incoming air is filtered before it’s dispersed throughout your home. This means contaminants such as pollen and smog are never allowed inside. Furthermore, ERVs remove indoor air pollutants, such as pet dander and dust, when it sends stale air outside.
ERVs can vastly improve the quality of your inside air, and by doing so, they can help you sleep better, improve your mental clarity, and increase your energy levels.
They Reduce Energy Consumption
While many ventilation systems raise energy costs by causing drafts in a home, an ERV is designed to provide energy savings. Thanks to its ability to transfer heat between incoming and outgoing streams of air, ERVs make it easier for your HVAC system to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors.
Furthermore, an ERV only uses a fan to operate and doesn’t have a condenser, so not only does it decrease the load on your HVAC system, its energy usage is relatively low.
Installation Requires Technical Expertise
It’s important to contact a professional if you’re planning to install an ERV. A licensed HVAC technician will help you determine the size and type of ERV system that will work best in your home. Our technicians will take your budget, the square footage of your home, and your current HVAC system into consideration when recommending the best ERV for you.
Keep in mind that the layout of the ventilation tubing and equipment is vital to the system’s success, and a licensed technician can help you get it right the first time. When installed correctly, an ERV can provide years of comfort and reduced energy consumption. Over time, many homeowners are able to recoup the initial cost of the unit through reduced utility bills.
If you’re interested in learning more about ERV technology or other ways to improve your indoor air quality while saving on energy costs and maintaining a comfortable home, get in touch with the professionals at Birkhead Co. Give us a call today at (502) 443-9545.
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