The ventilation system is the V in HVAC. In a nutshell, a ventilation system is what improves the atmosphere in your house or building by removing stale air and replacing it with clean, fresh air that comes from outside.

Whole Home Ventilation Systems, like ERV and HRV, have two ventilation ducts that run next to one another and pass between the inside and outside of a house. The first carries cool, fresh air to the inside; the other passes moist, stale air to the outdoors. A clever aspect is that these airstreams  flow through what's called a heat exchanger where they can trade off their temperature without actually mixing together at all! In addition, the ERV will transfer some moisture to the fresh air if this air is dryer than the exhausted stale air improving comfort in overly dry houses. This is all thanks to the second law of thermodynamics which states that energy will move from areas of high energy to areas of lower energy. 

Exhaust Ventilation System
The first type works by depressurizing your home. Its circuit will expel polluted air that’s inside the house. At the same time, make-up air infiltrates the house via leaks in the shell and through some intentional and passive vents.

If you live in a cold climate, this is the system for you. The reason is that warm climates are also humid and that humidity will be drawn inside through the depressurization method. Once inside, it will condense and start to mold.

Supply Ventilation Systems
This is the one which uses a fan in order to pressurize your home. Therefore, air from the outside is forced into the building. What’s inside will then escape through holes in the bath, shell, as well as intentional vents and range fan ducts.

Just like the ones above, these too are quite inexpensive and fairly easy to install so they will be a good choice if you’re thinking about a whole home ventilation system.

Balanced Ventilation Systems
If this system has been designed well-enough it will neither depressurize not pressurize your house. Instead they allow equal quantities of air to come in and out through its two duct systems and two fans.

You can use this type of system in all climates but you should know they are a little more on the expensive side.

Let us know if you have any questions or if you’d like to know which whole home ventilation system is appropriate for you. Use the number at the top of the page and call us anytime you want!

The air you breathe indoors is just as important for your health and well-being than the air outside. Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritation with eyes nose throat and lungs along with certain diseases such asthma that are caused by specific contaminants or conditions in an environment. Some exposures do not have any immediate effects but may lead to cancer after many years which is why it's so imperative to keep a healthy indoor environment!

A number of factors affect indoor air quality (IAQ), including poor ventilation (insufficient outside air), temperature control problems, a high or low humidity level, recent remodeling, as well as other activities taking place in or near a building that may negatively impact fresh air. Some toxic pollutants can cause poor IAQ, like mold, dust, cleaning supplies, asbestos, and other airborne chemicals. Keeping a building ventilated and well-maintained can prevent and solve problems related to indoor air quality.

Traditionally associated with office workers, Sick Building Syndrome refers to a series of symptoms, like headaches and respiratory problems, which result from poor ventilation inside of buildings.