What is an ERV?

An ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) is a compact ventilation unit which attaches to the ductwork in your home.  It is installed by an HVAC (Home Ventilation and Air Conditioning) contractor.  The purpose of an ERV is to ventilate the home by expelling stale polluted air and bring in fresh air.  It’s much like the lungs for your house.  This process is so energy efficient it is eligible for a $600 rebate from the Federal Government’s ecoENERGY Program (click here for the ecoENERGY Program brochure – PDF format).

Breathe fresh air and save energy all year – During the heating season, an ERV captures the heat from the air it is expelling to warm the fresh outside air being brought inside.  It is important to note that the two air streams do not meet but instead pass through the ERV’s unique transfer core.  During the cooling season, the ERV will use this same transfer process to cool the fresh outdoor air before bringing it indoors and circulating it throughout the home.  Excess moisture in the air from hot humid days is returned outside.   Note: An ERV is actually an advanced HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator).  An HRV is used only during the heating season whereas an ERV can be used year round. Click here for images of the 2 systems.

Protect your health - Did you know that indoor air can be more harmful than outdoor air?  Up to 100 times more pollutants can be found indoors than outdoors.  These pollutants come from a variety of sources such as off gassing from new carpets, cabinetry and furniture, pressed wood, scented candles (even if they’re not lit), plug in air freshers, dust mites, mold, bacteria, cooking and cleaning gasses.  Click here for a list of potential indoor pollutants in your home.)  The term VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) is often used to describe some of these pollutants.

Poor Air quality can trigger health problems - Headaches, fatigue, poor concentration and respiratory ailments are common symptoms and existing health problems are also aggravated by poor air quality.  Children and  seniors are particularly susceptible.  Also, owners of newly built homes, or those who’ve had renovations completed on an older home to make them more energy efficient, are at risk.  These homes are so airtight that stale polluted air can’t escape and continually builds up in the home day after day.

Why not just open a window? - It costs money to heat and cool the air in your home – why let it escape through open windows?  With an ERV homeowners can still receive the benefit of bringing fresh outdoor air into the home to breathe without causing the furnace and/or air conditioner to work overtime and waste energy.  Additionally, an ERV systems allows fresh outdoor air to circulate throughout your whole home (not just the rooms where a window might be open).

 

Protect your home investment - Today’s houses are built so airtight, excess humidity also gets trapped inside.  As a result, condensation can form on windows and doors which in turn can cause moisture damage to window frames and surrounding walls.  An ERV can help expel this excess humidity as it ventilates.  For new homeowners, it’s important to note that a Tarion New Home Warranty  does not cover damage caused by excess moisture in a home.  It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the home is properly ventilated.  Visit www.tarion.com for more details.

 

Sidenote:  Many homeowners don’t realize they are suffering from indoor air quality and that their situations can be improved through this simple process of ventilation.  It’s a good idea to have your home tested by a credited Indoor Air Quality Specialist.  The process is simple and will be very beneficial to find out what may be in the air you are breathing.  Studies have shown that we spend 90% of our time indoors so it make sense to ensure the air we’re breathing is clean.

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