What Is an ERV?

An energy recovery ventilator is a mechanical ventilation device, and it can satisfy a very important need that many homeowners don’t even seem to realize that they have. Consider this—your home is tightly sealed up in order to prevent unwanted heat gain or loss. Great for efficiency, but actually quite detrimental to indoor air quality. Why? Because it is impossible to maintain great indoor air without adding fresh air to the mix.

You don’t want to waste the energy that you’ve used to condition the air in your home just to let fresh air in, though, so you may think that balancing efficiency and indoor air quality is not possible. This could not be more false. With an energy recovery ventilator, you bring fresh air into your home while using the outgoing air to precondition that incoming air.

How the ERV Works

An energy recovery ventilator works in much the same way as a heat recovery ventilator. It pulls fresh air in from outside, regardless of the season. In the winter, the outgoing warm air that is stale and of a low quality preheats the incoming air that is fresh, but cold. In the summer, the outgoing cool air absorbs heat from the incoming fresh air.

By preconditioning air in this fashion, the ERV is able to take a substantial load off of your HVAC systems. In addition to this heat transfer process, though, the ERV distinguishes itself from the HRV by also transferring humidity between the two airstreams. This helps to maintain balanced humidity in your home throughout the air, resulting in even better indoor air quality.

Let Us Install Your Energy Recovery Ventilator—and Service It, Too!

You may be wondering if an ERV or HRV is right for you. While ERVs are typically used in those areas where humidity extremes exist throughout the year, and HRVs may seem best suited to colder climates, the fact is that a number of conditions can influence your home’s particular needs. Working with a trained professional is the best way in which to get the right system for your home.

If we determine that an ERV is the right fit for your home (or an HRV, for that matter), you can count on us to install, repair, and maintain that system for you properly every step of the way. You deserve to enjoy great comfort, great efficiency, and great indoor air quality in your home.

Contact Advanced Mechanical Services for ERV services that you can count on!