Many homeowners are surprised to learn that there are great devices and appliances that they can use to make their homes more efficient and comfortable, yet they’ve never even heard of them. While an energy recovery ventilator may not be quite as commonly mentioned as, say, a garbage disposal, it is nevertheless a device that can benefit many homeowners greatly. No, it won’t take the sting out of doing the dishes after dinner. By using an energy recovery ventilator in Loveland, CO, though, you can ensure that your home is efficiently and effectively heated and cooled, without putting your indoor air quality on the chopping block. Review the following information, and remember to schedule your IAQ and HVAC services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.
What Is an ERV?
An energy recovery ventilator, or ERV, is a mechanical ventilation device that is integrated into one’s HVAC system. The ERV allows for old, stale air to be vented out of your house, while also allowing for fresh air to come in. How does this differ from an open window, you may wonder? Well, the ERV also serves as a heat exchanger. This means that in the winter, when the air in your home is warm but of a low quality, the ERV uses the heat from the outgoing air in order to pre-warm the incoming air. In the summer, the outgoing cool air absorbs heat from the incoming hot air. This can benefit you in a few ways.
Benefits of Using an ERV
Using an ERV allows you to maintain great indoor air quality without wasting the energy that you’ve already used in heating or cooling the air existing your home. It works year round to pre-condition incoming air, and also mixes the airstreams just enough to balance humidity as well. If you want to breathe fresh air in a well-ventilated home without wasting a lot energy in the pursuit, then an ERV may be just what you’ve been looking for.