Breathe Easier: How ERVs and HRVs Revolutionize Your Indoor Air Quality

Written By Wesley Long

We often think of air pollution as something that happens outside—smog over a city skyline or exhaust from a traffic jam. But the truth is, the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside.

At ERV Design and Supply Co., we know that modern building standards are excellent for energy efficiency but can be detrimental to breathing. When we seal our homes tight to keep heat in, we inadvertently trap pollutants, moisture, and dangerous soil gases like radon.

The solution isn't to open a window and waste expensive energy; the solution is Mechanical Ventilation. Here is how Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) act as the lungs of your home to drastically improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

1. The "Dilution" Solution

The most effective way to manage indoor pollutants is to dilute them. In a sealed home, invisible dangers accumulate over time. This includes Carbon Dioxide (CO2) from breathing, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from furniture, and naturally occurring radon gas seeping up from the foundation.

ERVs and HRVs provide a constant, controlled stream of fresh, filtered outdoor air while simultaneously exhausting an equal amount of stale, contaminated indoor air. This continuous exchange prevents the buildup of:

  • Radon & Soil Gases: Diluting these dangerous gases before they reach concentrated, harmful levels.

  • CO2: Reducing CO2 concentrations to keep you alert and prevent that "stuffy" room feeling.

  • VOCs: Removing off-gassing chemicals from carpets, paint, and plastics.

2. Humidity Control (The Mold Killer)

One of the biggest threats to IAQ is uncontrolled moisture. Excess humidity leads to mold and mildew growth, which releases spores that can trigger asthma and allergies.

  • HRVs: Great for removing high humidity generated by showers and cooking during cold winters, replacing it with drier outdoor air.

  • ERVs: Go a step further by transferring moisture. In the summer, an ERV can help keep incoming humid air from overloading your AC. In the winter, it retains some moisture to keep your home from becoming uncomfortably dry.

By keeping humidity in the "Goldilocks zone," these systems make it nearly impossible for mold to take root.

3. Filtering the "Fresh" Air

Opening a window brings in fresh air, but it also invites pollen, dust, wildfire smoke, and insects.

ERVs and HRVs are equipped with filters that clean the outdoor air before it enters your living space. This means you get the full ventilation benefits of an open window without the seasonal allergies or dust layers on your furniture. For those living in areas prone to wildfires or high pollen counts, this is a game-changer for respiratory health.

4. Pressure Control: The Invisible Shield

Standard exhaust fans (like the one in your bathroom) create negative pressure. They suck air out, which forces the house to suck "makeup air" in through the path of least resistance—usually cracks in your foundation or attic. This vacuum effect is a primary driver for pulling radon and insulation dust into your living space.

ERVs and HRVs offer a sophisticated solution: Controlled Pressure.

While typically designed to be "balanced" (equal air in and out), we can intentionally commission these systems to create slightly positive pressure. By bringing in slightly more fresh air than we exhaust, we gently pressurize the home. This acts as an invisible shield, pushing air out of those tiny cracks and foundation crevices, effectively keeping soil gases and radon at bay.

The Verdict?

Your HVAC system manages the temperature of your air, but an ERV or HRV manages the health of your air.

Whether you are looking to mitigate radon levels in a basement, prevent mold in a tightly built new home, or simply sleep better at night with fresh, filtered air, a recovery ventilator is the single best investment you can make for IAQ.

Not sure if you need an ERV or an HRV? At ERV Design and Supply Co., we specialize in designing the perfect system for your specific climate and building structure. Contact us today to start breathing easier.

Wesley Long