An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is a device that a professional can install into your HVAC system to help you enjoy fresher indoor air without sacrificing the energy efficiency of your air conditioner and heater. An ERV uses a process called counter-flow heat exchange to pre-condition a current of fresh outdoor air with a current of stale indoor air. During warm weather, the warm outdoor air loses heat to the indoor air, and during cold weather the cool outdoor air gains heat from the indoor air.
What are the benefits of such a device? Here are three of them:
ONE: Improved indoor air quality
One of the reasons that indoor air becomes filled with so much dust, danger, pollen, and other debris is that little fresh air is allowed to circulate through the building. Homes are designed this way to make then energy efficient, but the sealed-off environment can become unhealthy. An ERV permits the fresh air inside without need to throw open the whole house to the outside.
TWO: Energy savings
An ERV recovers around 80% of the energy that would normally be lost to the outside when fresh air is allowed it. This keeps the cost of running and air conditioner or heating from skyrocketing. You can enjoy fresh outside air during a blazing hot summer day without putting a huge amount of extra strain on the air conditioner.
THREE: Humidity balance
More than heat transfers between the currents of air as they move through each other in an energy recovery ventilator. Moisture transfers as well, which make an ERV effective at helping balance indoor humidity, whether it’s too high or too low.
You must have professionals locate the right type of ERV for your home and install it. A poor job doing either will result in an energy recovery ventilator that won’t do its job correctly.
The specialists at Hall’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration offer service for energy recovery ventilators and other indoor air quality solutions for Benton, LA.
