How does an air exchanger work?
Because the houses are sealed, the air is laden with moisture and pollutants created from the daily activities of its inhabitants. The installation of an air exchanger inside the house will remove stale and polluted air from the house to the outside and replace it by an equivalence of fresh air. Generally, an air exchanger system installed properly will renew the air of all the important parts of the house.
How? Through a ductwork system installed in the walls; those ducts ending with fresh air distribution grilles and stale air exhaust grilles. Fresh air distribution grilles are located in each room of the house needing fresh air (which are, among others, bedrooms, kitchen and living room). The stale air to outside grilles are generally located at the highest level of the house, where the excess humidity and pollutants build-up.
The fresh air distribution and stale air exhaust ducts are connected to the air exchanger. To other ducts are also connected to the unit: one for gathering fresh air from outside and the other one to exhaust the stale air to outside. The air exchanger manage the ventilation for the whole house.
What is the difference between an HRV & ERV?
HRVs and ERVs are similar devices in that both supply air to the home and exhaust stale air while recovering energy from the exhaust air in the process. The primary difference between the two is that an HRV transfers heat while an ERV transfers both heat and moisture.
What are the possible types of installations
The unit can be installed with multiple air intake and air exhaust grilles that bring exceptional ventilation into every room. They can be easily integrated with an existing forced-air system or can be installed independently using the fully ducted system installation.
Fully Ducted System
Primarily for homes with radiant flooring, hot water or electric baseboard heating. This fully ducted system is effective because unit captures pollutants at the source and distributes fresh air to living areas.
Exhaust Ducted System
For homes with forced air heating systems or air handlers (furnace). This exhaust ducted system is effective because unit captures pollutants at the source.
Simplified system
For homes with forced air heating systems or air handlers (furnace). This simplified system is easy to install as unit uses existing furnace or air handler ducting.