Last Updated: December 18th, 2023
Modern homes are so well insulated that they trap contaminants, allergens, and moisture inside. Installing a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) is an effective way to move that stale air out and bring fresh air in. Read on to learn about the benefits of these essential appliances.
Dust, fumes from cleaning products, cooking smoke, moisture, CO2 from gas heaters, pet hair—we generate indoor air pollution just by going about our everyday activities. Modern homes are built to retain warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer, so those pollutants can stay stuck inside. That’s why the Building Code stipulates that all new constructions—with few exceptions—must be equipped with a mechanical ventilation system. The new requirements are intended to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of new homes. Of course, an H/ERV can be installed in any building.
What can an HRV or ERV do for you?
- Optimize air circulation and replace natural ventilation. H/ERVs should always run, summer and winter. Depending on the size of your home, energy-efficient H/ERVs can cycle through all the air in your home in just a few hours.
- Purify air by evacuating pollutants (tobacco smoke or cooking smoke, toxic chemical fumes, etc.), dust and allergens and bringing in fresh air.
- Eliminate odors (cigarettes, moisture, cooking, etc.) that can get trapped in fabrics (clothing, rugs, couch cushions, etc.).
- Improve respiratory health and minimize health risks (asthma, lung diseases, allergies, etc.) by evacuation stale air and moisture and bringing in fresh air.
- Ensure proper ventilation and eliminate excess moisture, preventing the growth of mold that can cause health problems. H/ERVs also prevent condensation from forming on walls and windows. Many factors can increase the humidity in your home (showers, condensation from breath, plants, cooking, etc.).
- Optimize the performance of heaters and air conditioners. Compared to traditional air exchangers, models with heat or energy recovery core, recover heat and moisture, reducing energy costs.
