An Energy Recover Ventilator (ERV) is an HVAC component that is missing from many homes. If you’ve heard about ERVs and would like to learn more then keep reading. Design Comfort is proud to provide complete heating services in Salt Lake City including installation and repair of ERVs. Contact Design Comfort today to learn more.
What is an ERV?
The purpose of an energy recovery ventilator is to provide fresh air to your home. If your home is tightly sealed, as most of our homes are during the winter, then it is likely that the air quality in your home has started to suffer without the introduction of new, fresh air from outside. An ERV accomplishes that without allowing cold air into your home.
How Does an ERV Work?
During heating season, an ERV recovers energy by letting fresh air from the outside soak up some of the heat from the stale indoor air that is getting exhausted outside. The two air streams don’t mix so that the new air isn’t contaminated. In this way, the ERV allows you to take in fresh air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home—like you would if you just opened a window.
Benefits of an ERV
The benefits of an ERV are many. Here are just a few of them.
- Energy efficiency – About 85% of the heat from the exhausted air can be recovered in some ERVs. This is a great way to reduce the amount of energy that you use by keeping it in your home.
- Air quality – Adding fresh air from outside allows you to dilute the contaminants that are inside your home. Additionally, by exhausting stale indoor air, you can remove some of the pollutants from your home as well.
- Humidity control – Many ERVs allows you to recover some of the moisture from the exhaust air as well. During the winter, this is especially important because of the dry air.
An ERV is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. You can improve the quality of your air while reducing the amount of energy that you use to heat your home. If you’re interested in learning more about ERVs and if one is a good option for your home in Salt Lake City, call Design Comfort today!
