When it comes to maintaining a comfortable, healthy home in Minnesota’s climate—with its icy winters and humid summers—indoor air quality and energy efficiency often feel like a balancing act. Fortunately, heat recovery ventilators and energy recovery ventilators in Golden Valley, MN offer a smart solution to improve both air quality and energy savings year-round.
What Are HRVs and ERVs?
Heat Recovery Ventilators and Energy Recovery Ventilators (which we’ll be referring to as HRVs and ERVs) are mechanical ventilation systems designed to bring fresh air into your home while exhausting stale indoor air. But they do more than just swap indoor air for outdoor air—they recover the energy from outgoing air and use it to temper incoming air.
- HRVs (Heat Recovery Ventilators): Primarily transfer heat from outgoing air to incoming air in the winter, or vice versa in the summer, without mixing the airstreams.
- ERVs (Energy Recovery Ventilators): Do the same as HRVs but also transfer humidity, helping to control indoor moisture levels, which is especially helpful during humid Minnesota summers.
These systems typically work in tandem with your existing HVAC system, delivering a continuous supply of fresh, filtered air throughout the home without the energy waste associated with opening windows or using traditional exhaust fans.
The Benefits of HRVs and ERVs
- 1. Improved Indoor Air Quality: Tightly sealed homes are great for energy efficiency but often lack sufficient natural ventilation. This can lead to a buildup of allergens, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and moisture. HRVs and ERVs combat this by consistently ventilating your home with fresh outdoor air while filtering out pollutants and allergens—helping you breathe easier, sleep better, and feel healthier.
- 2. Energy Savings Year-Round: Minnesota homeowners know the cost of heating in winter and cooling in summer adds up quickly. HRVs and ERVs reduce the burden on your HVAC system by recovering up to 70–90% of the energy from the outgoing air. This means your HVAC unit doesn’t have to work as hard to heat or cool fresh air, resulting in lower utility bills throughout the year.
- 3. Humidity Control: ERVs provide the added bonus of controlling indoor humidity by transferring moisture between the airstreams. In the winter, this helps retain much-needed moisture in dry indoor air, while in the summer, it reduces excess humidity that can lead to discomfort, mold growth, and higher cooling costs.
- 4. Balanced Ventilation: Instead of relying on exhaust-only or supply-only ventilation, HRVs and ERVs provide balanced airflow—exhausting stale air at the same rate they bring in fresh air. This keeps air pressure inside your home neutral and prevents backdrafts from fireplaces or combustion appliances.
Ideal for Minnesota Homes
With such dramatic seasonal shifts, Minnesota homeowners face unique challenges when it comes to indoor air and energy efficiency. HRVs and ERVs are ideal solutions, especially in newer or tightly sealed homes where airflow is limited. Whether you’re looking to reduce moisture buildup in winter or control humidity and allergens in summer, these systems offer year-round performance.
Let’s Talk About Your Options
Ready to improve your home’s air quality and cut energy costs at the same time? Our expert HVAC team can help determine whether an HRV or ERV is right for your home based on your lifestyle, HVAC setup, and budget. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and breathe easier in every season!