Energy-recovery Ventilators
Energy-recovery Ventilators | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Guild
Imagine breathing in air that feels as crisp as a morning breeze—without watching your utility bills spike. HEP’s energy-recovery ventilators seamlessly integrate with your heating and air conditioning system, swapping stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while capturing up to 80% of the outgoing energy. The result is balanced humidity, fewer indoor pollutants, and consistent comfort all year long. It’s smart, sustainable engineering designed to protect both your lungs and your wallet.
Whether you’re renovating, building, or simply upgrading an aging HVAC setup, our Guild-trained technicians size, install, and maintain ERVs to the highest standards. We help homeowners meet today’s stricter codes for ventilation and air quality while future-proofing their spaces against rising energy costs. Breathe easy, save energy, and let HEP raise the standard of comfort in your home.
FAQs
What is an energy-recovery ventilator (ERV) and how does it work?
An ERV is a mechanical ventilation device that exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while transferring heat and humidity between the two air streams. In winter, it captures heat from the outgoing air to pre-warm and humidify the incoming air; in summer, it helps expel excess heat and moisture before the fresh air enters your ducts. The result is continuous ventilation with minimal energy loss, keeping your Guild home comfortable and healthier without overworking the furnace or air conditioner.
How does an ERV improve indoor air quality in Guild’s climate?
Guild experiences a mix of cold, damp winters and warm, often humid summers—both of which can trap pollutants indoors when windows stay closed. An ERV continuously exhausts contaminants such as VOCs, odors, and excess CO₂ while bringing in filtered outdoor air. Because heat and moisture are balanced during the exchange, you avoid the dry winter air that can irritate lungs and the muggy summer air that encourages mold growth. The result is cleaner, fresher air all year round.
Will installing an ERV reduce my heating and cooling bills?
Yes. Traditional ventilation methods—like opening windows or using simple exhaust fans—force your HVAC system to condition untreated outdoor air, raising utility costs. An ERV typically recovers 60-80 % of the heat (or cooling) that would otherwise be lost, so your furnace or air-conditioner runs less. Many Guild homeowners see 10-25 % savings on energy bills, especially in homes built after 2000 that are more airtight.
Is an ERV noisy or difficult to maintain?
Modern ERVs are designed for quiet operation; most units produce 1–2 sones, similar to a quiet refrigerator. Maintenance is straightforward: clean or replace the filters every 3-6 months, check the core for dust build-up annually, and ensure outdoor intake/exhaust hoods remain clear. A full service visit by a professional once a year keeps the fan motors, dampers, and core operating at peak efficiency.
Can an ERV be added to my existing HVAC system, or do I need a complete replacement?
In most cases, an ERV can be retrofitted to your current forced-air HVAC system. It is tied into the return and supply ducts with dedicated intake and exhaust ducts to the exterior. No major changes to your furnace or air handler are usually required. For homes without ductwork, a stand-alone or ductless ERV model can be installed to serve specific rooms or zones.
How do I choose the right ERV size and what is the installation time?
Sizing is based on your home’s square footage and occupancy. A common guideline is 0.35 air changes per hour or about 15 cfm (cubic feet per minute) per person. Our technicians perform a ventilation load calculation to specify the correct airflow—usually 70 – 150 cfm for typical Guild residences. Installation takes 1-2 days for a retrofit and includes mounting the unit, connecting ductwork, wiring the controls, and balancing the airflows. You’ll receive a brief orientation on filter care and system settings before we leave.