Do you have a well-insulated home? This is great for energy savings, but what about the quality of your indoor air? A home almost completely void of air leaks will recirculate the same air over and over, which does not allow for moisture and pollution to escape. The answer to this dilemma is a strong ventilation system.

By installing a system called heat-recovery ventilation, you can enjoy a fresh supply of clean outdoor air without paying to heat or cool it again.  This makeup air is essential for the proper function of fireplaces and kitchen exhaust fans without creating a low-pressure vacuum in the house.

Here’s how it works:

• The unit, which is installed in the attic, works continually to suck air from return vents placed in the kitchen and bathrooms — the rooms that produce the most moisture and pollution. As the air makes its way out, it passes through a box featuring multiple air channels. At the same time, air is pulled into the box from the exterior of the home to eventually make its way to a few central locations in the home.
• Before the air is released into your house, it passes by the stale indoor air and picks up about 80 percent of the heat or cold from the air making its way outside. The air streams never mix, but as the heat migrates from one stream of air to the other, you are given the chance to introduce preheated or cooled air into your home to reduce the demand on your furnace or air conditioner.
• The initial investment of the system results in increased comfort, cleaner air and the removal of moisture and unpleasant odors from your home. Heat-recovery ventilation can easily be added to homes with duct systems. Most have air filters and some even feature built-in dehumidifiers.

If you are interested in learning more about heat-recovery ventilation for your Asheville-area home, contact Smoky Mountain Heating & Airtoday.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat-recovery ventilation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!