Sarah Lozanova

Imagine living in a home with practically no energy bills, where all your energy is produced on-site. A net-zero building uses a renewable energy system to generate as much energy as it consumes annually.

Homes are being more tightly built than ever to prevent air leakage and promote energy efficiency. High humidity levels can encourage mold growth, and indoor pollutant levels are commonly two to five times higher than outdoors, compromising health. The new Zehnder ComfoAir 70 Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) offers a balanced ventilation solution for new and existing apartments and homes and is now available in North American.   The compact ComfoAir 70 ventilation unit is mounted inside the home on an exterior wall and both exhausts and supplies air into the home. Its quiet operation and tidy appearance have made it popular with homeowners and tenants alike in Europe since it was released two years ago.   “Air quality is always a big issue, especially when living in a town or city,” says Norbert Wesely, North American Product Development Manager for Zehnder America. “There are many fumes and fine particles in the air that can be harmful. The ComfoAir 70 provides an affordable, energy efficient, and simple solution for continuous ventilation.”   The ComfoAir 70 ERV system was designed to boost indoor air quality and increase energy efficiency. In winter, the ERV transfers heat from the exhaust air to the intake air, conserving energy.  In summer, excess heat and humidity in the incoming air is transferred to the exhaust air. The installation process for the new ComfoAir 70 is simple with only one penetration through an exterior wall.   Despite its simple design, system installation can be customized depending on the layout of the home and its ventilation needs. The ComfoAir 70 exhausts and supplies air directly or the ERV can connect to the kitchen or bathroom using flexible ductwork manufactured by Zehnder.   The demand for healthy indoor air has grown in recent years, as the link between common health ailments and indoor air quality has become increasingly clear. In particular, many people wish to retrofit their homes with balanced ventilation systems that supplying fresh, filtered air and exhaust odors, particles, pollutants, and excess humidity.   This is especially beneficial because excess humidity can cause mold and mildew growth, which can impact occupant health. The fine filter on the ComfoAir 70 can remove many airborne pollutants and common allergens  including dust, pollen, and pet dander.   The ComfoAir 70 is now in stock. The first systems are being installed in Vancouver, British Columbia in an apartment complex to promote cleaner indoor air.

Many older homes in the U.S. lack adequate insulation and air sealing, according to ENERGY STAR. Air leaks boost utility bills, and can cause discomfort from drafts and uneven home temperatures. With rising energy costs, many California homeowners are air sealing and insulating their homes to keep heating and cooling bills down. Property assessed clean energy (PACE) is a way of finance energy-saving home improvements in California through property tax bills, making energy efficiency upgrades affordable to many homeowners. Air sealing a home can, however, cause air quality issues to arise, increasing the importance of a ventilation strategy. Solving Indoor Air Issues Inadequate ventilation can cause numerous indoor air quality issues, especially after air sealing a home because stale air becomes trapped and fresh air cannot enter. Moisture issues can develop, leading to mold growth. The build-up of toxins due to lack of fresh air can compromise occupant health. Although many houses have exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen, there needs to be sufficient makeup air for such systems to function properly. Historically, leaks and gaps in the exterior provided this makeup air. Once cracks and gaps are sealed however, reduced air movement makes it difficult for exhaust fans to properly remove moisture, odors, fumes, and toxins. Zehnder heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems create an energy-efficient solution when retrofitting existing homes. Unlike exhaust-only ventilation systems, Zehnder HRV and ERV systems create balanced ventilation throughout the entire home.   Better Indoor Air Quality Once the exhaust requirements for bathrooms and the kitchen is calculated, an equal amount of fresh air is supplied continuously to bedrooms and living spaces. Zehnder systems promote home air quality by removing stale or contaminated air, while replacing it with fresh, filtered air. Save Money on Utility Bills In warm weather, Zehnder HRVs and ERVs save energy by lowering the temperature of fresh incoming air, reducing home cooling bills. In cold weather, they pre-warm intake air, reducing heating bills. The more efficient the ventilation system, the more energy people will save. In fact, Zehnder HRV systems are up to 95 percent efficient, dramatically lowering energy bills. CaliforniaFIRST To offset the initial cost of retrofitting a home for energy efficiency upgrades, an innovative program known as PACE exists. Many California homeowners were encountering financial obstacles in paying for energy-saving home improvement projects. For this reason, PACE financing was created to enable homeowners to pay for money-saving improvements over time, through an affordable program. With low rates and financing terms up to 25 years, program participants make convenient payments through their property tax bills. The PACE funding program allows homeowners to reduce utility bills right away with energy-saving upgrades, simultaneously increasing home comfort, property values, and durability. PACE provides up to 100% financing, giving homeowners no out-of-pocket costs for energy-efficiency upgrades. Zehnder HRV and ERV systems, air sealing, and insulation are all eligible upgrades for PACE financing, making these home improvements a winning combination of energy-efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality.

Judith and Jeffrey adore living in Belfast, Maine – a quaint harbor town of Belfast, Maine. They previously resided in a large seaside home on Penobscot Bay, where Little River formed an estuary. Unfortunately, significant time and resources were required to maintain and heat the older home with wood and oil. Although Judith and Judith cherished spending time by the

When considering air pollution, smoke stacks or trucks often come to mind. Although these sources are certainly impact human health, indoor levels of air pollution are commonly two to five times more than outdoor levels, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Many daily activities and possessions impact home indoor air quality. Cooking generates particles, while finishes, adhesives, carpets, furniture

New England has experienced one of the most intense winters in recent history. Relentless snow hampers travel, winter weather advisories are frequent, and huge snow drifts obscure cars. Such weather makes me grateful to live in a high performance house in Belfast Ecovillage, a 36-unit community built to the Passive House standard (but not certified) in Mid-coast Maine. While neighbors in our cold