Maintain healthy indoor air quality with our expert air-exchange system installation
Does your house need a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV)? If your home has been air sealed to improve comfort and energy efficiency, then it might be a good idea to have an HRV or ERV installed to ensure healthy indoor air quality.
As Northern NJ’ experienced HVAC contractor, Pipe Works Services provides a variety of heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality services. Contact us today for an estimate to install a heating recovery or energy recovery ventilation system in your home. We serve Madison, Chatham, Summit, and surrounding New Jersey areas.
Out with the bad air, in with the good
HRV and ERV systems were developed to serve the ventilation needs of tightly sealed, well-insulated houses.
Leaky, inefficient buildings have plenty of uncontrolled air exchange through gaps, cracks, and openings that provide pathways for air infiltration and air exfiltration. But in an energy-efficient home that has a tightly sealed “building envelope,” indoor air can easily become stale, unpleasant, and even hazardous. It can accumulate odors from cooking and bathing, as well as other pollutants. HRVs and ERVs eliminate this problem by exchanging stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air. Both ventilation aids are designed to work with forced-air heating and cooling systems.
HRVs & ERVs transfer heat and humidity for energy savings
So what happens on a cold winter day when your HRV exhausts heated indoor air and sucks frigid outside air into the house? Good question. The answer appears in the cutaway view shown here, illustrating the interior of a typical HRV. A specially designed corrugated core forces outgoing (warm) and incoming (cold) air streams to pass very close to one another, separated only by a thin membrane. A large amount of heat from the exhaust air is transferred to the incoming air, effectively preheating the outdoor air before it joins the heating system’s ductwork.
In summer, the heat transfer works in reverse, allowing an HRV to cool incoming outdoor air. In predominantly cooling climates, ERVs are usually installed (instead of HRVs) because they can reduce the amount of humidity that comes into the house from the outside.
Higher comfort & efficiency, lower utility bills and healthy air quality
Many systems work together to keep the air in your home healthy, comfortable, and inexpensive to heat and cool. Many problems may need to be corrected to ensure a comfortable, energy-efficient home.
The technicians at Pipe Works Services are trained to identify these requirements and design a customized indoor air quality plan for your home. We can measure your home’s air exchange rate and install an HRV or ERV if necessary. We’ll work with you to ensure the best possible results: a healthy, comfortable home with lower operating costs.