Energy efficiency in new home construction is way beyond windows, doors, and insulation. Today it's all about controlling airflow in your indoor environment.
Heat recovery or energy recovery ventilators are becoming more and more popular as a way to maintain good indoor air quality by removing stale air while retaining the heat.
“So we're able to get fresh air in but get that fresh air heated by the air going out of the building. It's a very energy efficient technology in terms of the heat use but it also gives us the kind of quality we want in our indoor living space,” said Paul Crovella, Sustainable Construction Management, SUNY-ESF.
This Mark Anthony custom home was built with airflow control to recover heat during the cold months and recover the cooler air needed in the summer months.
Energy efficiency in new home construction is way beyond windows, doors, and insulation. Today it's all about controlling airflow in your indoor environment. Terry Ettinger has more.
“Well this house has a Fantec Energy Recovery Ventilator ties through all the bathroom exhausts and the laundry room exhaust and the main furnace. It takes the exhaust air that would normally be thrown out and recovers some of the energy, either the heating or cooling and uses that to pre-condition the fresh air that's being brought into the house,” said Bob Krell, IAQ Technologies.
The energy savings can be as much as 70 percent on air that you would normally just waste. Also, moving some fresh air in the house is an absolute necessity because the newer windows, doors, and insulation have sealed homes tighter. You don't want your heat or air-conditioned air going outside but you need fresh air coming in.
“So in addition to being green and helping to save energy, this allows us 365 days a year to bring fresh air in to the house which from an indoor environmental perspective is wonderful,” said Krell.