Air exchangers have a dial or slider to control the humidity called a dehumidistat, and is set for relative humidity exactly like a thermostat would be for temperature. Whenever the humidity exceeds the set level, the air exchanger will activate. It should be set around 40% to prevent mold growth.
An air exchanger works great only if the outside humidity is low enough to lower your homes humidity level. If your average humidity level outside is above 50% then you will not benefit from an air exchanger.
Air exchangers help your home “breathe” by evacuating stale air and pollutants outside and drawing fresh air inside. Regulate humidity: Air exchangers eliminate excess moisture, which helps keep your home comfortable—not too humid and not too dry.
Air Exchanger with Energy Recovery (ERV)
An ERV system is suitable for both cold and humid climates as it can transfer both heat and moisture, helping to maintain comfortable humidity levels indoors.
Keep It Turned On
This one might seem obvious, but you must use your air exchanger to enjoy its benefits. So don't think you are wasting a significant amount of energy by turning the device on. Your air exchanger is most effective when run continuously.
Not only does it require electricity to run the air exchanger, but the air the exchanger brings into your house must be brought up to temperature. This may require that more electric is used to cool your building or that more fuel is also required for heating.
The cooler indoor air cools the heat exchanger core, which subsequently cools the incoming warm outdoor air. This results in less reliance on your air conditioning system, translating into lower energy usage.
The answer depends on your home's air conditioning system, your ERV wall control, the outdoor temperature and, most importantly, the outdoor relative humidity. As a rule of thumb, if you are more comfortable outside than inside your house, you should run your air exchanger in the summer.
Since the colder outdoor air is usually drier in the winter, an HRV can also help reduce excessive humidity in your home. We recommend setting your HRV to “minimum” or “vent”. However, the 20/40 setting is also good because it only runs the system for 20 minutes every hour.
By continuously circulating fresh air throughout your home, an air exchanger can help prevent the conditions that allow mold to thrive. Eliminating Contaminants: Air exchangers also help reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants, including mold spores, by replacing stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air.
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows.
Signs of a Properly Functioning Air Exchanger
Stable Indoor Humidity Levels: One of the main roles of an air exchanger is to regulate humidity levels. If your indoor humidity is stable and within a comfortable range (between 30% and 50%), it's likely your air exchanger is functioning correctly.
Air exchangers have a dial or slider to control the humidity called a dehumidistat, and is set for relative humidity exactly like a thermostat would be for temperature. Whenever the humidity exceeds the set level, the air exchanger will activate. It should be set around 40% to prevent mold growth.
So, is an air exchanger better than an air purifier? If you're trying to introduce fresh air into your house, nothing matches what an air exchange system can do. But, if you're only concerned about removing airborne contaminants, then perhaps a cheaper, less permanent air purifier will work for you.
Your air exchanger is like the lungs of your home. It ensures optimal air quality by filtering out allergens, lowering humidity levels and ensuring that every room has a stable temperature and a constant supply of fresh air.
What is the lifespan of an air exchanger? The lifespan of an air exchanger depends on a number of factors, including the type of air exchanger, the quality of the installation, and how often it is serviced. However, on average, an air exchanger will last 10-15 years.
The average whole house air filtration system costs $2,610, but it can range between $419 and $4,962, depending on the system size, filtration type, and the installation requirements.
The agency says it is “normal” for an air exchanger's motor to overheat, make noise and emit smoke when it reaches the end of its life, but the integrated safety device and current limiter shut off the power supply to prevent a fire. A total of 207,000 units of the affected products were sold in Canada.
These products are great because they prevent air leakages, which keeps more conditioned air (either heated or cooled) inside the home. Not only does this make your home more comfortable but it also saves you money on energy bills.
Assuming it's a standard Air Exchanger or HRV unit, in spring/summer when it's humid set it to the maximum, or 100%. You may be able to go as low as 80%. (A higher setting on the dial is essentially the Off position).