The acronym ERV stands for energy recovery ventilator. If you’re looking to improve your indoor air quality and lighten the load on your HVAC system, an ERV is a great way to do that. Even if you’ve heard of an ERV, you may be wondering exactly what it is and how it works.
The good news is, our technicians are experts at ERV installation in Campbell County, WY. If you have questions, we’re the ones that you want to call. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about ERVs and then give us a call when you’re ready to schedule your appointment for an in-home assessment.
What Is an ERV?
An energy recovery ventilator is not a replacement for your HVAC system. Instead, it is an add-on that helps to bring fresh air into your home while also cycling out stale air. The whole idea is to increase air circulation in your home to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ). The added benefit is that an ERV can actually help your HVAC system not have to work as hard to cool your home thanks to having better air circulation.
How Does an ERV Work?
An energy recovery ventilator has two fans. One fan brings in air from the outside, and another fan takes air from inside your home and blows it out. That’s the simplest way to put it, although it’s more complex than that.
An ERV also helps to maintain your home’s desired temperature using a method called air exchange. You don’t have to worry about an ERV system working against your HVAC unit to heat or cool your home. Instead, it is complementary.
The ERV also has a heat exchanger that helps to transfer moisture one way or the other, depending on the season. In the summer when humidity levels are higher, the ERV will help to remove some of the moisture from the air so the air in your home doesn’t feel as heavy. In the winter, an ERV will add moisture to the air so that your home’s atmosphere is more comfortable. Moisture can actually make the air feel warmer, which is a great benefit in winter when the temperatures are very low.
As an added bonus, an ERV can also reduce pollutants in the air. You can’t prevent contaminants from coming into your home, but an ERV can help circulate those contaminants back out.
ERV Benefits
Aside from the benefits outlined above, ERVs also offer significant improvements for your home and family which include:
- Reducing your energy costs by lessening the strain on your HVAC system.
- Eliminating odors that can hang around your home because of pets, cooking, cleaning, chemicals, and bathrooms.
- Extending your HVAC system’s expected lifespan.
- Reducing your risk of developing mold and mildew growth.
- Reducing dust around your home that comes from pollen, pet dander, and dirt.
- Offers more consistent temperatures across all of the rooms in your home.
- May improve your comfort and sleep, thanks to the increase in fresh air.
Interested in an ERV? Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with the team at Climate Solutions, Inc. The trusted source for all your heating and cooling needs.