Energy-recovery Ventilators
Energy-recovery Ventilators | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Hillsboro
Imagine breathing crisp, mountain-fresh air without ever leaving your Hillsboro home. HEP’s advanced energy-recovery ventilators seamlessly integrate with your existing HVAC system, swapping out stale indoor air for filtered outdoor air while capturing up to 80% of the heat or cooling you’ve already paid for. The result is year-round comfort that lowers utility bills, reduces indoor pollutants, and keeps humidity levels in the sweet spot—perfect for allergy sufferers, busy families, and anyone who values a healthier living space.
Our technicians fine-tune every installation to the unique needs of your home, ensuring optimal airflow, whisper-quiet operation, and rock-solid reliability. When you choose HEP, you’re choosing a local team committed to maximizing ventilation and air quality without compromising efficiency or sustainability. Breathe easier, live better, and let Hillsboro’s trusted HVAC experts handle the rest.
FAQs
What exactly is an Energy-Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and how does it improve indoor air quality?
An ERV is a mechanical ventilation device that exhausts stale indoor air while simultaneously bringing in fresh outdoor air. Inside its core, heat and moisture are exchanged between the two air streams, so you get fresh, pre-conditioned air without wasting the energy already used to heat or cool your home. The constant air exchange dilutes pollutants such as VOCs, pet dander, and cooking odors, helping your family breathe cleaner, healthier air year-round.
Is an ERV a good fit for Hillsboro’s climate?
Yes. Hillsboro’s cool, wet winters and mild, occasionally warm summers make ERVs ideal. In winter the unit captures heat and moisture from the outgoing air, reducing the load on your furnace and helping prevent the overly dry indoor conditions common when outside air is simply vented in. In summer it does the reverse, transferring excess heat and humidity out of the incoming air, which keeps your air-conditioning bills lower and maintains comfortable indoor humidity levels.
How much energy can I expect to save by adding an ERV to my existing HVAC system?
Savings vary with home size, occupant habits, and HVAC efficiency, but DOE studies show ERVs can recover 60-80 % of the energy that would otherwise be lost through traditional exhaust-only ventilation. In practical terms, homeowners in Washington County typically see heating and cooling bills drop 10-20 % after installation, especially when the ERV replaces bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans that vent directly outdoors.
What maintenance does an ERV require, and can I do it myself?
ERVs are designed for low upkeep. Every 3-6 months you’ll need to: (1) remove and vacuum or wash the intake and exhaust filters; (2) check the core for dust buildup and gently vacuum it if needed; and (3) wipe down the inside of the cabinet. Once a year, inspect the condensate drain and clean the fan wheels. Most homeowners handle these tasks themselves in less than 30 minutes. A professional should perform a full tune-up every two years to verify airflow, balance the system, and ensure the heat-exchange core gasket is still airtight.
Can an ERV help with humidity and allergy problems inside my home?
Absolutely. Because an ERV transfers moisture as well as heat, it keeps indoor relative humidity in the 30-50 % comfort range throughout the year. Lower humidity inhibits mold growth and dust-mite populations, while the continuous intake of filtered outdoor air reduces concentrations of pollen, smoke particles, and pet allergens. Clients with asthma or seasonal allergies in Hillsboro often notice fewer symptoms within days of installation.
What does the ERV installation process involve and how long will it take?
A typical retrofit in a single-family Hillsboro home takes one day. Our technicians mount the ERV unit in the attic, garage, or mechanical closet, run dedicated intake and exhaust ducts to the exterior, and tie supply ducts into your existing HVAC trunk lines. We then balance the airflow so the amount of fresh air equals the amount exhausted, test the heat-recovery efficiency, and show you how to change the filters. New construction installs are even simpler because the ERV is integrated into the original duct design and can be completed alongside the HVAC rough-in.