Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems: Meaning, Benefits, and Considerations
The health awareness in India is increasing. Look around, and you will find people going to the gym, opting for healthy food, and even scrutinising total steps they take daily. Now, business owners are also directing their attention to the very environment that they work in. Enter commercial energy recovery ventilation systems.
These systems are quietly gaining traction in modern workplaces, hospitals, hotels, and industrial setups. Yet many don’t realise their real potential. In this blog, Kelvin Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems will tell you everything about energy recovery ventilation systems. From what they are to how they function and the benefits they offer, we will cover it all!
Ready to learn how you can get clean, fresh air from the best HVAC company in India? Let’s go!
What is an Energy Recovery Ventilation System?
From the word ventilation, we bet you’ve guessed that ERV is something related to HVAC. Well, it’s a sophisticated device that continuously supplies fresh outdoor air within your home, all while expelling stale, polluted indoor air. Its genius lies in the central core – a place where two airstreams pass each other without intermixing.
Warmth and moisture are cleverly transferred from one airstream to another. Energy recovery ventilation system pre-cools incoming air in the summer and pre-warms it in winter, making your commercial building fresher and your HVAC more efficient.
How Does an Energy Recovery Ventilation System Work?
ERV systems function under a straightforward but brilliant concept of energy exchange – fresh air without energy wastage. Think of human lungs. We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, right? Similarly, emergency recovery ventilation acts like the lungs of your workplace. They breathe in fresh air while drawing stale air out.
The process starts with the two airstreams flowing into the core of the system a.k.a ERV’s heart. One of them is the dusty air that is being forced out of the rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. The other is fresh air coming from outside.
These two airstreams are separated through a specialised heat-exchange core without ever mixing, allowing no recirculation of pollutants and allergens. When the two paths intersect, the core made of conductive substance exchanges thermal energy (heat) and water.
During winter, warmth from outgoing indoor air in the house is trapped and utilised to pre-heat the cold, incoming fresh air. Similarly, ERV system precools the warm, humid air outside and transfers its heat to the cooler exhaust air.
This unceasing exchange implies that your air conditioner or heater will not strain to condition incoming air into the home. Result? A considerable saving of energy.
What are the Benefits of Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems?
Installing an energy recovery ventilation system is a transformative upgrade for any commercial building. Besides completing a holistic improvement in your living environment, it offers following benefits:
Superior indoor air quality
Several major cities in India regularly compete with each other in terms of air pollution rates. Open windows here and you may end up welcoming dangerous pollutants, allergens, and dust into the house. An ERV system, however, delivers fresh, filtered outside air and at the same time, removes stale indoor air full of pollutants like carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints and cleaners, and unpleasant odours.
This constant turnover of air keeps the inside of the building clean and healthier, safeguarding the respiratory health of your family.
Significant energy and cost savings
Herein lies the genius of ERV. It significantly lowers the load to your heater or air conditioner by moving heat and water between the incoming and outgoing airstreams. During summer, incoming air is pre-cooled and in the winter season, the incoming air is pre-warmed.
Your HVAC consumes much less energy to reach a desired temperature. This direct conversion of energy can save you from burning a hole in your wallet due to substantial reductions in monthly utility bills. It’s a good long-term investment (particularly in areas with extreme temperatures).
Excellent moisture and humidity control
For coastal cities like Mumbai, and during humid monsoon seasons, excess moisture is a big issue. It causes mould, mildew, and a clammy feel in the house. ERVs are constructed to transport some of this moisture in the incoming damp air to drier exhaust air.
It is useful to keep indoor humidity at optimum and comfortable level (approximately 40% to 60%) to avoid the development of harmful biological contaminants. There will be no damage to your home structure and furniture from dampness.
Don’t forget to check out these resources:
Everything about air source heat pump
Type of HVAC systems for commercial buildings
HVAC winter maintenance checklist
Enhanced comfort year-round
Energy recovery ventilation systems remove drafts, and temperature shock of conventional ventilation like opening a window. The air coming into your home is already tempered. So, there are no cold blasts during winter and hot and damp winds during summer.
Your indoor environment always stays comfortable and stable regardless of the weather outside.
Improved respiratory and overall health
One of the biggest benefits of getting an ERV system installed in your home. With it, dust mites, mould spores, and other allergens are no longer a concern. The system eliminates allergens, pollutants, and regulates the humidity level. For people with asthma, allergies, or any other breathing-related issues, ERV is a godsend.
Clean, fresh air within your house will also improve the quality of your sleep, cognitive capabilities and overall well-being.
Quiet and effortless solution
Energy recovery ventilation can work around the clock and nearly silently in the background. The days of bearing sounds coming from noisy exhaust fans are over! Remember you had to switch them on and off? Not with ERVs. They automate the whole air exchange. Just set and forget as it makes the home healthier.
Environmental sustainability
You can slash your business’ carbon footprint to a large extent by reducing the amount of energy used in heating and cooling. Less electricity consumption reduces the pressure on power stations and cuts back on greenhouse gases. ERV isn’t just there for personal comfort and savings. It also makes you a responsible individual for Mother Earth.
Who Should Consider Installing ERV Systems?
Getting energy recovery ventilation in India has never been more important. With urban air quality degrading, and modern buildings constructed to be more air-tight for energy efficiency, focus on clean indoor air needs to be more. Trapped pollutants and stale air ruins indoor health. With ERVs, you don’t have to worry about indoor air troubles.
Energy recovery ventilation systems are perfect for the Indian climate. But now the question arises, who should consider installing an ERV system? Well, we’ve prepared a list of those eligible for getting it:
Businesses active in polluted cities: Happen to run a facility in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata? Consider getting it where opening a window is often not an option.
Hospitals and clinics: Poor air quality can have a negative impact on patient health. Having a clean indoor environment powered by ERV can aid faster patient recovery and fewer respiratory complications.
Hotels: Having an energy recovery ventilation system at your hotel will provide much-needed fresh air without compromising the property’s efficacy.
Office buildings: High occupancy workspaces should invest in energy recovery ventilation installation since clean indoor air improves productivity as well as well being.
Airports and transport hubs: Both are high traffic infrastructures and hence the need of ERVs is paramount to ensure air quality as well power management.
Schools and colleges: Well aired classrooms mean healthy students and better focus. A lot of schools and B-schools in India are opting for energy recovery ventilation systems.
Hire Kelvin for Energy Recovery Ventilation Installation
There you go!
We shared everything important about energy recovery ventilation in India. Having it will transform your work space into a sanctuary for your health and comfort, making sure every breath is full of life.
Kelvin understands well-being starts with air one breathes. Our ERV systems are engineered for the Indian climate. Not only do we offer unparalleled energy recovery but also superior air filtration. We are committed to providing HVAC solutions that are advanced, accessible, reliable, and budget-friendly.
Call us on +91 8108555060 or +91 7045509909 for a free consultation. Let’s take a step towards a healthier lifestyle together!
We are trusted for these HVAC services across India: