Air Exchangers
If your home was built within the last fifteen years, please pay special attention to this section. It contains valuable information about your home's air quality.
One of the most critical and underestimated aspects of a home is ventilation. Fifteen years ago, the home air ventilation systems that are available today were not dreamed of. The highest level of insulation still provided for plenty of fresh airflow from poorly insulated and installed doors, windows and attics. Today, everyone has airtight homes built with more efficient materials. Now, the management of moisture will often decide the fate of your home. Through back drafting and poorly designed ventilation, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, excessive water vapor, mold and pollens can get trapped in your home! Studies show that these problems are manifested in upper respiratory illnesses, dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue and more permanent problems!
Air-to-air exchangers (heat recovery ventilators and energy recovery ventilators) take the old air out, with its moisture, mold, and gases, and bring new outside air in - without losing warmth and/or coolness.
During a typical Minnesota closed home season (the height of winter or summer), the same air is re-circulated through your home. If you get sick, recirculation of the same stale air helps you stay sick. The only fresh air you get is randomly brought into the home through cracks, windows, doorways and back drafting down the exhaust flue.
A properly balanced, sized and installed home air ventilation system will replace your entire homes air supply every three hours. If it is not properly balanced, sized and installed - it could make things worse!
Whether it is the improved quality of the air, the removal of harmful gases, or the management of moisture to stave off mildew, mold and wood rot - the cost of a top-grade mechanical ventilation system is negligible compared to the cost of fixing the problems caused by poor ventilation.
It is one of the easiest decisions to make once you know the facts. Total Comfort Minneapolis takes special care to improve the air quality for all of our customers through proper air ventilation systems. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.