Energy-recovery Ventilators
Energy-recovery Ventilators | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Petros
Breathe easy, Petros: HEP’s cutting-edge energy-recovery ventilators seamlessly integrate with your heating and air conditioning system, delivering continuous fresh air while recapturing up to 90 % of the energy that would otherwise escape. The result is a home that feels consistently comfortable, smells naturally clean, and maintains ideal humidity levels—all while lowering your monthly utility bills. By extracting stale indoor air and pre-conditioning incoming outdoor air, these ERVs give you an effortless upgrade in ventilation and air quality without sacrificing efficiency.
Whether you’re renovating a historic bungalow or building a high-performance new home, our certified technicians design every ERV installation around your lifestyle, square footage, and climate zone. From whisper-quiet ECM fans to high-grade filters that trap pollen and wildfire smoke, each component is chosen to protect your family’s health and the planet’s resources. Ready to feel the difference fresh air can make? Schedule your free indoor air consultation with HEP today and discover why Petros homeowners trust us to keep their air pure and their comfort uncompromised.
FAQs
What is an Energy-Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and how does it work?
An ERV is a dedicated ventilation appliance that exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while transferring heat and moisture between the two airstreams. In winter, the outgoing warm, humid air pre-heats and humidifies the incoming cold, dry air. In summer, the outgoing cool, dry air pre-cools and dehumidifies the incoming warm, humid air. This energy exchange happens inside a core made of permeable material, allowing homes in Petros to enjoy balanced ventilation without wasting the energy you’ve already paid to condition.
How can an ERV improve indoor air quality in Petros homes?
By constantly supplying filtered outdoor air and exhausting pollutants, an ERV dilutes contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), cooking odors, and excess humidity. The unit also includes MERV-rated filters that trap pollen, dust, and other particulates common in East Tennessee’s seasonal pollen spikes. The result is healthier, fresher air, fewer allergy triggers, and reduced mold growth caused by stagnant moisture.
Will installing an ERV reduce my heating and cooling costs?
Yes. Because the ERV recovers 60–80 % of the energy normally lost through traditional exhaust-only ventilation, your HVAC system requires less energy to reach and maintain set temperatures. Customers in Petros typically see a 10–25 % reduction in ventilation-related energy consumption, and the improved humidity control often allows you to raise the summer thermostat setting a couple of degrees without sacrificing comfort, adding further savings.
Is an ERV suitable for the Petros climate, and how does it differ from an HRV?
Petros experiences both hot, humid summers and cool winters, making moisture control as important as heat recovery. An ERV transfers both heat and water vapor, preventing overly dry air in winter and excessive humidity in summer. A Heat-Recovery Ventilator (HRV) only exchanges heat, so it can over-dry indoor air during the heating season and introduce excess moisture in summer. For mixed-humid regions like ours, an ERV is generally the better year-round choice.
How noisy are ERVs and where are they installed?
Modern ERVs operate at 1.0–2.5 sones—about the sound level of a quiet refrigerator. Units are usually mounted in a utility room, basement, or attic and connected to dedicated supply and return ducts or tied into your existing forced-air system. Flexible mounting options and insulated cabinets minimize vibration and sound transmission to living areas.
What maintenance does an ERV require and how often?
Basic homeowner maintenance involves: • Checking and replacing the intake and exhaust filters every 3–6 months. • Vacuuming the core and internal screens twice a year. • Ensuring exterior hoods are clear of leaves and snow. A professional service every 12–18 months should include cleaning the blower wheels, inspecting the drain pan, verifying airflow balance, and checking the controls. Regular upkeep protects efficiency, air quality, and warranty coverage.