The cost of heating and cooling makes up more than half of my household utility bills.
With rising energy costs, keeping a comfortable home is getting more and more expensive.
Hoping to trim monthly costs and reduce my impact on the environment, I’ve gone to great lengths to tighten up my home. I’ve gradually switched out all of the old windows and upgraded them to triple-pane, Energy Star rated windows. I invested in blown-in insulation for the attic, and every year, I add any necessary caulk or weatherstripping to eliminate leaks. My efforts have saved me quite a bit of money. However, I’ve eliminated essential ventilation and eventually noticed that my home was feeling stuffy and stale. There was no way to bring in fresh air and get rid of contaminants such as dust, dander and musty smells. When I mentioned my concerns to a local HVAC contractor, he recommended the installation of a heat recovery ventilation system. The ventilator operates year round, makes very little noise and requires only yearly maintenance. It is like opening the windows but without the energy waste. This type of ventilator uses the stale air it’s pulling out of the house to preheat the fresh, incoming air. This reduces the workload of the furnace, lets me lower the thermostat a bit, and saves money on heating costs. The furnace should last longer and I enjoy superior air quality. The ventilator is also helpful during the summer months. It reduces moisture levels, lessening the strain on the air conditioner and eliminating that sticky feeling.
Air conditioning technician