Many modern homes have tight building envelopes. The advantages of a tight envelope include better comfort and increased energy efficiency. The potential downside is limited ventilation, which can lead to indoor air quality issues. To improve ventilation, Environmental Heating & Air Solutions recommends energy recovery ventilator (ERV) installation in El Dorado Hills, CA. An ERV installation will allow you to enjoy fresh air throughout your home year-round.
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Custom Energy Recovery Ventilator Installation
An ERV system for home use is an advanced form of a whole-house fan, which is a mechanical ventilation system. That means that it draws fresh air into a home and exhausts stale air. The problem with a traditional whole-house fan is that you can’t run it alongside your heating or air conditioning system. Doing so would exhaust the heating or cooling along with stale air and undermine your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is the basic solution to this problem. It’s a mechanical ventilation system, but it also has a heat exchanger. In winter, an HRV can preheat the incoming fresh air to offset the impact on your heating system. In summer, it can precool the incoming fresh air to avoid undermining your home’s cooling system.
An ERV is similar to an HRV but has an additional layer of functionality. It also has a hygroscopic, commonly referred to as water-loving, membrane. That allows it to move water vapor from a higher-humidity airstream to a lower-humidity one. In other words, it can add moisture to the incoming fresh air during winter. It can also remove moisture from the incoming fresh air during summer. For many homes, even those with fuel-fired furnaces, this is enough to maintain a high enough relative humidity (RH) in winter. In summer, an ERV reduces wear and tear on the air conditioning system. It can improve comfort and overall energy efficiency.
Another notable advantage is being able to heat and cool your home without your heating and cooling system. In warmer climates, many households don’t need to run their heat pump or furnace until October or even November. Until then, they can stay warm entirely with the ERV. Likewise, an ERV can keep homes cool without using AC well into June.
Often, we’ll recommend upgrading to a smart thermostat with ventilation control. Such thermostats can gauge humidity levels and let you automate ERV functions. You can also choose a thermostat with indoor air quality sensors and related features.
- Reduced energy bills
- Better relative humidity
- Enhanced indoor air quality
- Improved ventilation and circulation
- Lower heating and cooling costs
El Dorado Hills ERV Installation
We’re a locally owned and operated company with over 15 years of experience serving Northern California. Our company offers a wide selection of ERV systems for homes from the top brands. We have extensive experience integrating these systems into existing HVAC equipment. In-person consultations and written estimates are available at no cost and without obligation. During that appointment, we can discuss financing, which we offer on approved credit.
Environmental Heating & Air Solutions is the premier provider of energy recovery ventilator installation in El Dorado Hills. Call today or contact us online to schedule an in-home consultation.