Whole-home Ventilation
Whole-home Ventilation | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | La Follette
Breathe the same crisp air inside your La Follette home that you enjoy outside its doors. HEP’s whole-home ventilation, heating, and air-conditioning specialists integrate fresh-air intakes, balanced exhaust, and high-efficiency filtration into a single, smart system that quietly exchanges stale indoor air for clean, conditioned air year-round. By controlling humidity, removing airborne pollutants, and evenly distributing temperature, we safeguard your family’s comfort while protecting woodwork, electronics, and the home’s structural integrity.
Our certified technicians analyze your house from attic to crawl space, seal hidden leaks, and fine-tune airflow so the furnace and AC work less—and last longer. The result is noticeably better ventilation and air quality, lower utility bills, and the peace of mind that every breath is healthier. Ready to upgrade the air you live in? Call HEP today for a free in-home assessment and feel the La Follette difference tomorrow.
FAQs
Why is whole-home ventilation especially important in La Follette’s climate?
La Follette experiences warm, humid summers, cool winters, and high pollen counts from the surrounding Cumberland Mountains. Without controlled ventilation, excess moisture can build up in summer and trapped contaminants such as radon, smoke, and household chemicals can accumulate in winter when windows stay shut. A dedicated whole-home ventilation system exchanges stale indoor air with fresh, filtered outdoor air year-round, helping prevent mold growth, reducing allergens, and maintaining healthy relative humidity levels between 30 % and 50 %. The result is cleaner air, fewer musty odors, and a more comfortable, energy-efficient home.
What kinds of whole-home ventilation systems do you install or service?
We work with all major residential ventilation technologies, including: • Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) – Transfer both heat and moisture between outgoing and incoming air streams, ideal for humid summers. • Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) – Transfer heat only, best for homes that struggle more with dryness than humidity. • Supply-only and exhaust-only fans – Cost-effective options for targeted rooms or when building codes require simple air changes. • Integrated HVAC ventilation – Uses your existing ductwork and air handler to distribute fresh air evenly. Our technicians evaluate your home’s size, insulation, and existing HVAC equipment to recommend the right solution for maximum indoor-air quality and energy savings.
How does a balanced ERV or HRV improve indoor air quality and comfort?
Balanced systems bring in and exhaust roughly equal amounts of air, avoiding the pressure imbalances that can pull contaminants from attics, crawlspaces, or garages into living areas. Inside the ERV/HRV core, outgoing stale air pre-conditions fresh air: in winter, it captures up to 80 % of the heat you’ve already paid for; in summer, it helps remove heat (and in ERVs, moisture) before the incoming air enters your ducts. This means less strain on your furnace or air conditioner, more consistent indoor temperatures, and a continuous supply of fresh, filtered air that dilutes odors, VOCs, viruses, and allergens.
Will installing a whole-home ventilation system raise my energy bills?
When designed and commissioned properly, whole-home ventilation can actually reduce overall energy costs. By recovering heat (and in ERVs, humidity) from exhausted air, these systems minimize the additional load on your HVAC equipment. Many units consume no more electricity than a standard light bulb while helping your heating and cooling equipment run more efficiently and last longer. In addition, maintaining balanced humidity levels improves comfort at lower thermostat settings, further lowering energy usage. Local utility rebates and federal tax credits may also offset a significant portion of the installation cost.
How often should I maintain or replace filters and cores?
For most La Follette homes, we recommend: • ERV/HRV filters – Inspect monthly during peak pollen season, replace or wash every 3–6 months. • Ventilation cores – Vacuum or gently wash the heat-exchange core once or twice a year to maintain efficiency. • Condensate drains – Check and clear annually to prevent clogs and water damage. • Fan motors and dampers – Lubricate and test during your spring or fall HVAC tune-up. A signed maintenance agreement with us includes these tasks plus a full performance check to ensure your system continues to deliver the required air changes per hour.
Can I install a whole-home ventilation system myself, or should I hire a professional?
Proper ventilation is more than adding a fan—it involves calculating the correct air-exchange rate, selecting equipment compatible with La Follette’s mixed-humidity climate, sealing ducts to prevent leaks, and balancing airflow to each room. Incorrect sizing or installation can waste energy, create drafts, or even introduce moisture problems. Our certified technicians use industry software and airflow instruments to design and commission the system, pull any necessary permits, and ensure it meets Tennessee building codes and ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standards. Professional installation protects your investment, preserves manufacturer warranties, and guarantees healthier indoor air.