Energy Recovery Ventilation: What It Is And How It Makes Your Home Better

Alex Vidal • August 2, 2024

At Noyes Development, we take pride in not only crafting beautiful semi-custom homes but also ensuring that every aspect of our designs and features contributes to the comfort, sustainability, and health of your living spaces. 


One such innovative feature we’re now incorporating into our homes is Energy Recovery Ventilation, or ERV. This system is not just a modern convenience; it's a substantial improvement to the air quality and energy efficiency of your home.


Understanding energy recovery ventilation (ERV)

So, what exactly is an ERV? Energy Recovery Ventilation is a cutting-edge system designed to improve the air inside your home while minimizing energy loss. The primary function of an ERV system is to maintain a balanced indoor environment by removing stale, contaminated indoor air and replacing it with fresh, preconditioned air from outside. Unlike traditional ventilation methods, ERV systems recover heat and moisture from the exchanged air, which is particularly beneficial in both cold and warm climates.


Here’s how it works: during the colder months, the ERV system captures the heat from the indoor air before it's expelled outdoors and uses this heat to warm the cooler incoming outdoor air. Similarly, during warmer months, the indoor air cools the warmer air entering the home. This heat exchange process not only ensures that the incoming air is closer to your indoor temperature, reducing the load on your heating and cooling systems, but it also retains optimal humidity levels, providing a comfortable indoor environment all year round.


The benefits of installing ERV systems


Enhanced indoor air quality

Indoor air quality has become a paramount concern, especially considering that most people spend a large portion of their time indoors. ERV systems significantly improve air quality by reducing pollutants and allergens in your home’s air. This system is particularly beneficial for people with allergies, asthma, or respiratory issues, as it ensures a constant supply of fresh air and reduces the risk of mold growth by managing humidity levels.


Energy efficiency and cost savings

One of the standout features of an ERV system is its ability to enhance your home's energy efficiency. By preconditioning the incoming air, ERVs reduce the demand on your heating and cooling systems, which can lead to lower energy bills. This efficiency is a core part of our commitment to building Zero Energy Ready and L.E.A.D.I.N.G. Standard homes that exceed traditional energy standards.


Sustainability

At Noyes Development, sustainability is one of our priorities. By Integrating ERV systems into our homes, we reduce energy consumption and minimize the carbon footprint of our buildings. Our homes are designed to provide you with a living space that is both beautiful and environmentally responsible.


Increased comfort

ERV systems maintain a balance between indoor and outdoor air exchange which leads to consistent indoor temperatures and humidity levels. This balance means your home environment remains comfortable regardless of seasonal changes. With an ERV, drafts and hot or cold spots become a thing of the past, enhancing the overall comfort of your home.


A Noyes Development standard: Incorporating ERV systems

At Noyes Development, we’ve built a reputation for constructing high-quality, innovative homes that not only meet but exceed the highest standards of home building. Our commitment to excellence is evident in every semi-custom home we craft in the NW Portland suburbs, where attention to detail and superior craftsmanship define our work.


We’re proud to enhance our home offerings by incorporating Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems into each new build. This initiative aligns perfectly with our long-standing commitment to sustainability and high performance, evident since we became one of the few sizable builders nationwide to receive Earth Advantage Platinum certification for our homes. 


Integrating ERV systems is a natural progression in our mission to provide healthier, more energy-efficient homes. These systems ensure superior indoor air quality and humidity control, complementing other advanced features we include, such as…


  • Navien tankless water heaters
  • ENERGY STAR certification
  • Meticulously planned ductwork and filtration systems. 


These features collectively contribute to the 30-40% energy savings our homes deliver compared to standard new builds.


By choosing an ERV system, Noyes Development continues to lead by example, setting the bar higher in the homebuilding industry. We ensure that our homes are not just luxurious and comfortable but are also benchmarks of environmental stewardship and innovation. This dedication to quality and sustainability guarantees that a home by Noyes Development remains desirable and valuable, now and in the future.


Discover your new home

At Noyes Development, we don't just build homes; we craft communities. Our relentless pursuit of excellence means that every aspect of your home — from the air you breathe to the materials we use — is of the highest quality. 


Our new construction homes feature the latest modern technology and features, and are built to last into the future with much less maintenance in the short term than older homes. For more information,
visit our website and discover how to experience the benefits of modern new-build homes.

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