Energy-recovery Ventilators
Energy-recovery Ventilators | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Blaine
Breathe easier in Blaine with HEP’s energy-recovery ventilators, the smart way to bring a continuous stream of fresh outdoor air into your home without sacrificing comfort or efficiency. By transferring heat and moisture between incoming and outgoing air, these systems slash energy costs, balance humidity, and whisk away lingering odors, pet dander, and airborne pollutants—so every room feels crisp, clean, and perfectly tempered regardless of the season.
From precise sizing to seamless installation and ongoing tune-ups, our NATE-certified technicians focus on one goal: delivering superior ventilation and air quality while protecting your wallet. Whether you’re upgrading an older HVAC setup or building a high-performance home, trust HEP to engineer an ERV solution that keeps your family healthy, your utility bills low, and your indoor environment feeling as fresh as the North Shore breeze.
FAQs
What is an Energy-Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and how does it improve indoor air quality?
An ERV is a mechanical ventilation device that extracts stale, humid air from inside your home while simultaneously bringing in fresh outdoor air. Inside the core, heat and moisture are exchanged between the two air streams, meaning the outgoing air pre-conditions the incoming air without mixing. The result is a steady supply of oxygen-rich air that has been tempered to reduce load on your furnace or air-conditioner, while expelling indoor pollutants such as carbon dioxide, cooking odors, chemicals, and excess humidity.
How well do ERVs work in Blaine’s four-season climate?
Blaine experiences frigid winters that demand significant heating and warm, often humid summers that require air-conditioning. ERVs are designed for exactly this type of climate swing. In winter, the core captures up to 70–80 % of the heat from exhaust air and transfers it to the incoming fresh air, reducing furnace run-time. In summer, the process is reversed: heat and some moisture from the incoming hot air are transferred to the cooler, drier exhaust air, lessening the burden on your A/C. Because ERVs also balance indoor humidity levels, they help prevent dry winter air and muggy summer conditions, keeping your home more comfortable year-round.
Will installing an ERV lower my energy bills?
Yes. By reclaiming heat in winter and rejecting it in summer, an ERV can cut ventilation-related energy losses by up to 40 %. Your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to condition the outdoor air that every home needs for healthy circulation. Over time, this translates into noticeable savings on natural-gas and electric bills, as well as longer equipment life for your furnace and A/C because they cycle less frequently.
Can an ERV remove allergens, VOCs, and excess humidity from my home?
While an ERV’s primary job is energy-efficient ventilation, it also boosts indoor air quality by continuously diluting and exhausting contaminants. Standard filters block dust, pollen, and other particulates, and higher-grade MERV or HEPA filters are available for households with allergy or asthma concerns. The steady air exchange helps expel volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paint, furniture, and cleaning products. In addition, because moisture is transferred through the core, ERVs can remove excess indoor humidity in summer and add a bit back in winter, keeping relative humidity in the 30–50 % sweet spot that discourages mold growth and dust-mite activity.
How much maintenance does an ERV need, and can I do it myself?
ERVs are low-maintenance devices. Every 3–6 months—more often if you have pets or heavy construction dust—you should vacuum or replace the intake and exhaust filters. Once a year, the core should be removed and rinsed with mild soap and water, then air-dried before reinstallation. Exterior vents should be checked for leaves or snow buildup. Most homeowners in Blaine can handle these tasks with basic tools, but our HVAC team can include ERV service in your annual furnace or A/C tune-up for added peace of mind.
How do I choose the right ERV size and model for my Blaine home or business?
Proper sizing depends on square footage, ceiling height, number of occupants, and the airtightness of your building envelope. The general rule from ASHRAE is 0.35 air changes per hour or 15 cfm of fresh air per person—whichever is greater. Our certified technicians perform a ventilation load calculation and blower-door test, then recommend a unit that delivers the required airflow without oversizing (which wastes energy) or undersizing (which provides insufficient fresh air). We also look at compatibility with your existing ductwork, controls that can integrate with smart thermostats, and cold-climate features such as frost control modes essential for Blaine winters.