I live in an area of the country that experiences all four seasons and every type of weather extreme.
The summers are especially hot and humid while the winters bring sub zero temperatures and excessive amounts of snow.
The spring is windy and rainy while the fall is completely unpredictable. There is rarely a time when I can simply open the windows and enjoy fresh air. Just about all year round, it’s necessary to run either the air conditioner or the furnace. The cost of heating and cooling is responsible for approximately fifty percent of our household energy expenses. I have taken all sorts of measures to seal the thermal envelope and prevent energy losses. I’ve replaced windows, insulated, caulked and weatherstripped. While I’ve made an improvement in the efficiency of the furnace and air conditioner, I’ve also eliminated natural ventilation. Getting fresh air into the house to replace the stale air is important to healthy indoor air quality. When the house is tightly sealed, contaminants become trapped. They get endlessly circulated by the heating and cooling system and breathed in by family members. Because there are sources of pollution in just about every room in the house, it’s necessary to continually exchange the air. I consulted with a local HVAC contractor about my concerns with musty smells, airborne contaminants and poor air quality. He suggested the installation of a heat recovery ventilator. HRVs introduce fresh air into the home year round without energy waste. In the winter, the ventilation system uses the outgoing air to preheat incoming air and lessen demands on the furnace. In the summer, ventilation works to combat humidity and reduce the workload of the air conditioner. We enjoy a cleaner, healthier and more comfortable home.