How a Heat Recovery Ventilation System Works

Moisture is a ongoing problem for homeowners, and is often the root cause of damage in various parts of the home. Thankfully, you can mitigate the effects of moisture and achieve proper ventilation in your home through the use of a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).

A-1 Comfort Care, a trusted provider of residential HVAC services, discusses the importance of home ventilation and how it can be attained through a heat recovery ventilation system.

Why Ventilation Is So Important

In understanding how proper ventilation works, it helps to know where moisture comes from. Moisture is the product of the day-to-day activities inside your home — showers, washing, cooking, etc. When too much moisture is produced, it usually condenses on windows, which can potentially cause damage. While this may seem like a minor issue, it quickly becomes a much bigger problem when black spots start to appear on your walls and mold spores begin to spread throughout your home.

Proper ventilation is key in keeping your home moisture-free. However, achieving balanced home ventilation can be a challenge. For instance, while exhaust fans can effectively remove excess moisture from your kitchen, bathroom and laundry area, it also tends to create negative pressure inside your home. When exhaust fans pump air out, the resultant vacuum draws air — along with dust, odors and contaminants — into your home.

To ensure you have a properly-functioning ventilation system, consult with HVAC installation contractors in your area.

How a Heat Recovery Ventilator Works

A heat recovery ventilator works in a way similar to a balanced ventilation system. However, it uses heat from the outgoing stale air to warm up the fresh air coming in. An HRV is composed of a series of narrow alternating passages where incoming and outgoing airstreams flow. These airstreams never mix since heat is transferred from the warm side of each passage to the cold side.

Depending on their capacity, HRVs can recover up to 85% of the heat in outgoing airstreams. They also have filters that prevent particulates like pollen and dust from entering your home.

A-1 Comfort Care has been in business for over 20 years. We offer our expertise in heating and cooling, as well as air conditioning repair services. Call us at (732) 578-0379 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We provide our services to clients in Freehold and Wall, NJ.