What Are Air Exchangers and Why Might I Need One this winter?

Fresh air is essential for a healthy home, and while it's easy to get fresh air into the house during summer, it can be something of a problem during the winter months. This is especially true for newer homes that have been built with energy savings in mind, and are often sealed up tightly to prevent heat loss. While energy savings are always good, a lack of ventilation can have a huge effect on the health of your family. If your home is sealed up tightly, then the air within it can be up to ten times more polluted than the fresh air outside. This might sound like a staggering figure, but when you think about it it's easy to see how it could happen. It's easy for pet dander, plant pollen, and other airborne microbes to build up. Even worse, some homes may be at risk of radon which is a very toxic gas. All this can have a detrimental effect on the health of your family, and at the very least can increase the risk of suffering from allergies and asthma. This is where an air exchanger comes into play, and can be hugely beneficial in keeping your home environment fresh.

Different Types of Air Exchangers

There are various different types of air exchangers on the market. These include air exchangers that only remove stale air from the home, and which are called exhaust only air exchangers. These are generally suitable for rooms that might suffer high levels of pollutants such as the kitchen and bathroom. Another type of air exchanger uses a fan to push outside air into a home, and is typically used to ventilate the rooms that are used most such as bedrooms and living rooms. This type of system is called a supply only air exchanger. The most sophisticated air exchanger uses both of these systems to remove stale unpolluted air and to replace it with fresh air from outside, and is called a balanced system. This kind of system works in conjunction with your HVAC system, and although vents can be installed in every single room in the home, most people choose to only have them in the bedrooms and living rooms, as well as other rooms that may have higher levels of pollutants. 

Does This Type of System Cool down a Home?

While you have been reading this you might've been wondering whether you’d just be better off opening a window or door to let in fresh air, as it sounds as if these air exchangers result in a home losing heat. In fact balanced systems utilize a way of recovering heat from the air extracted so it can be introduced into the cold air from outside. During the summer months the system works in reverse, producing a cooling effect and helping to lower fuel costs.

Air exchangers can incorporate Filters

Air exchangers often have filters in them that are very effective at removing dust and pollen from the inside air, and which will filter incoming air to make sure you and your family remain as healthy as possible. These can give your family year-round protection, and can help keep your home relatively dust free.