In my local area, the average year round temperature swings from downside twenty-five to ninety degrees.
My buddy and I surpass the country’s average for rain & snow.
My buddy and I deal with ice storms, blizzards, torrential downpours, high winds, high humidity & brutal windchill, and while I enjoy experiencing four distinctive seasons, there are challenges involved with such serious weather. My buddy and I rely on the furnace for approximately eight months of the year. The snow barely melts when it’s time to start up the a/c. Our heating & cooling costs account for more than fifty percent of the home energy expenses. In an effort to save money, I’ve made an effort to tighten up the thermal envelope. I’ve invested into Energy Star rated exterior doors & windows, insulation for the attic & ceiling fans. I’ve caulked, weatherstripped & added thermal lined curtains. While I’ve managed to prevent leaks & drafts, I’ve also eliminated essential natural ventilation. Without any influx of outside air, the indoor environment becomes stale, and contaminants such as dust, dander, pollen, bacteria & VOCs become trapped inside & forever circulated by the heating & cooling system. These pollutants create unpleasant smells & cause health concerns, headaches, sneezing, coughing, difficulty sleeping & miserable troubles of flu symptoms can all be blamed on terrible indoor air quality. I researched odd types of indoor air quality accessories & chose a heat recovery ventilator. The unit is installed right into the existing heating/cooling system & works to bring in a steady supply of fresh air separate from energy waste. The system uses the outgoing air to preheat incoming air while in the winter. In the summer time the HRV works to expel excess humidity. My family enjoys better comfort & a healthier home all year round.