![]() Heat recovery ventilators (HRV) started showing up in new homes since about 2008. HRVs bring fresh air into the house and reclaim or recover about 80 percent of the heat from the stale air that is being drawn out of the house. The need for these systems started when building codes began requiring homes be built tighter and more energy efficient. Homes in the past leaked enough fresh air into the home that a special ventilation system was not needed. These systems have air filters that need cleaning regularly depending on how much they run. I have not yet found a single HRV that had been serviced and cleaned during a home inspection. On average, they need cleaning at least twice per year. The cleaning task is not difficult when the instructions are followed in the owner’s manual. People are just not told what the systems do and they need regular cleaning. HRVs are about a foot tall and two feet long and are found mounted close to the furnace and hung from the ceiling. Now that you are aware they need cleaning, it is time to find that manual and get started cleaning your unit. Here is a good HRV YouTube video to get you started on cleaning your system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxjwM_P_J14
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![]() WHY ARE MY WINDOWS SWEATING If you are having trouble with water collecting on the inside of your windows during cold weather, you are not alone. This can cause water stains, wood damage, mildew and even mold. If you are looking for a way to stop this water problem, we need to understand what is causing the water to form in the first place. When air warms, it expands which allows it to hold more moisture. As it cools down, it contracts until it reaches the saturation point and releases this excess water in the form of condensation. Everyday activities in your home, such as; cooking, showering, using unvented gas heat, and even breathing add moisture to the air. When this warm humid air comes in contact with cold window glass, it cools and condenses. To reduce this problem, you need to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. The homes moisture level is measured by humidity gauge. Below are some suggestions that will help:
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AuthorChuck retired from an engineering management career to start a home inspection business Archives
July 2018
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