Balanced Ventilation
Balanced Ventilation | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Louisville
Louisville’s weather swings from muggy, pollen-laden summers to damp, chilly winters—conditions that can make a home feel stuffy, clammy, and less than healthy. HEP’s Balanced Ventilation Heating and Air Conditioning team tackles those challenges head-on, weaving precision-engineered HRV/ERV technology into your HVAC system to continuously replace stale indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air while capturing up to 90 % of the heat or cooling you’ve already paid for. The result is a quieter, more comfortable living space where odors disappear, humidity stays in check, and every breath feels crisp.
Our NATE-certified technicians size, install, and fine-tune each solution to your home’s exact footprint, using insulated ductwork, smart controls, and hospital-grade filtration to boost ventilation and air quality without spiking your utility bills. Whether you’re renovating, building new, or simply tired of lingering dust and allergy flare-ups, HEP delivers the balanced, energy-saving airflow that protects your family and preserves your comfort all year long—backed by 24/7 support from a local team that knows Louisville inside and out.
FAQs
What is balanced ventilation and why is it important for Louisville homes?
Balanced ventilation is a whole-home strategy that introduces a controlled amount of fresh outdoor air while exhausting the same volume of stale indoor air. Because Louisville experiences humid summers and cool winters, simply opening windows can lead to excess moisture, pollen, or energy loss. A balanced system—typically an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) or Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)—keeps indoor air fresh, protects HVAC efficiency, and helps maintain consistent humidity levels year-round.
How does an ERV or HRV improve indoor air quality?
Both ERVs and HRVs continuously exchange stale indoor air for filtered outdoor air. As the two airstreams pass through a core, heat (and in an ERV, some moisture) is transferred to reduce the energy penalty of ventilation. The result is lower concentrations of carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pet dander, and other pollutants. Louisville homeowners benefit from fewer allergy triggers during high-pollen seasons and reduced indoor humidity during muggy summers.
Will balanced ventilation increase my energy bills?
Not significantly. Although the system uses small fans to move air, the heat- or energy-recovery core captures 60–80% of the temperature and, with ERVs, some of the moisture from the outgoing air. This means your heating and cooling equipment in Louisville’s variable climate works far less than if you relied on window ventilation. Most homeowners see negligible monthly cost increases—often offset by improved HVAC efficiency and fewer comfort-related thermostat adjustments.
Can balanced ventilation help control humidity in Louisville’s humid summers?
Yes. ERVs are designed to transfer a portion of moisture from the incoming humid air to the outgoing exhaust air, preventing your home from absorbing all that outdoor humidity. Combined with a properly sized air conditioner, an ERV helps keep indoor relative humidity in the recommended 30–50% range, limiting mold growth, dust mites, and that sticky feeling common during Louisville summers.
How often should filters and the core be serviced?
Most ERV/HRV units have two washable or replaceable filters that should be inspected every 3 months and changed or cleaned at least twice a year—more often if you have pets or allergies. The heat-exchange core typically needs a professional cleaning once a year. During annual HVAC maintenance, our Louisville technicians also check fan motors, dampers, and the condensate drain to ensure peak performance.
Is balanced ventilation compatible with my existing HVAC system?
In most cases, yes. ERVs and HRVs are designed to integrate with conventional forced-air furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps. A dedicated technician connects the unit to your supply and return ductwork so fresh air is distributed evenly. For homes without ductwork, we offer ductless-compatible balanced ventilation solutions. A professional assessment of your Louisville home will determine the best configuration and confirm that your current HVAC equipment has the capacity to handle the additional airflow.