Energy Recovery Ventilator: good idea for cleaner air?

August 26, 2008 6:13 AM

I am looking at ways of improving indoor air quality, and am considering having an Energy Recovery Ventilator installed. Anyone have experience with one, if its a worth while expense.

I have allergies. I have pets. I have old carpet. ( Working on removing the old carpet.) I notice in the winter, the house just seems to get stale. Sometimes in the summer to when the ac has been running for a long time (but its easier to just open a window). I have been doing some research, and it sounds like Energy Recovery Ventilator might be exactly what I should be looking for. Especially since in the winter I like to put plastic on the windows.

But, will pulling air in from the outside aggravate my allergies? Would coupling it with a whole house air purifier help? I've heard mixed reviews, including saying they really decrease the efficiency of your furnace.

I am certain that indoor air quality is an issue. I can feel it if the house is closed up for too long. And after an evening of reading about VOCs and indoor air quality, I can't imagine its NOT bad.

posted by [insert clever name here] to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

You need some sort of outside air (OSA) even during the Winter. The staleness you experience is a buildup of CO2, animal dander, whatever VOCs are around the house, skin cells, etc.

A HEPA air purifier can help. But if you and the pets are breathing, the CO2 will build up, without some OSA to replace it, especially in a small house.
posted by Danf at 11:00 AM on August 26, 2008

Newer construction with air leaks sealed will need outside air as mentioned by Danf.

However, you mention old carpet, which makes me think that your home may not be as new and tight as that.

Consider that in winter, the type of heating you have may be the source of the staleness. Heating can dry out the relative humidity. Do you have a humidifier? If you have gas heat, be sure to check the combustion - just to ensure you don't have a carbon monoxide build-up.

Getting rid of old carpet will help your allergies, depending on your specific allergen(s). Pets are part of the family, so we overlook their contribution to the problem (at least I do whenever I snuggle up to all the dander and hair produced by mine!)

But, if you want to go with a recovery system and purifier, there's no harm, just check other items first to make sure you've covered those bases.
posted by mightshould at 2:34 PM on August 27, 2008