Tight houses need real fresh air.
Newer Pearland homes are built tight. That helps the power bill and hurts the air, because without controlled ventilation CO2 and VOCs build up, and so does humidity. We install Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) that bring in tempered fresh air and send stale air out, without the energy cost of opening a window in August.
- ERV and HRV options
- Tempered fresh air
- Reduces CO2 and VOC buildup
- Sized for your home
What's included with whole-home ventilation
There are two kinds of ventilator. In a humid Pearland summer, the ERV is almost always the one to use.
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)
An ERV trades heat and moisture between the air coming in and the air going out. The fresh air arrives already tempered and partly dried, at a steady 60 to 150 CFM depending on the house.
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
An HRV trades heat only, which suits cold, dry climates. We rarely install one in Pearland, though a few specialized jobs call for it.
Ducted into the HVAC return
Fresh air goes into the return side of your HVAC, where it mixes with house air before it is cooled or heated and sent to the rooms. No separate duct system is needed.
Smart controls
Current ERVs have CO2 and humidity sensors built in. The unit speeds up when the house needs air and idles when it does not.
Filter on the fresh-air intake
A pre-filter on the intake keeps pollen and refinery particulate from riding straight in. With MERV-13 filtration at the air handler behind it, the fresh air is also clean air.
Code-compliant install
We install to ASHRAE 62.2, the standard for residential ventilation, and pull permits where they apply.
Reasons to add controlled ventilation
A house built or remodeled in the last 15 years is often tight enough that it no longer leaks in much fresh air on its own. People notice it as afternoon drowsiness and a stuffy feel, and an air test shows VOCs and humidity running high.
- Tight, modern home (built or major-remodeled after 2010)
- Afternoon drowsiness or headaches indoors
- Persistent stuffiness or stale-air feel
- High indoor VOCs from new flooring or paint
- CO2 levels reading above 1,000 ppm in occupied rooms
- Spray-foam insulated home or net-zero design
- Concern about combustion appliance backdrafting
- Family member with chemical sensitivity or asthma
How a visit works
Four steps. No surprises. Same on your first call as your fiftieth.
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Free in-home assessment
A technician walks the house and checks HVAC capacity. He picks a spot for the ERV, usually the attic, and works out the ASHRAE 62.2 airflow for your square footage and bedroom count.
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Sized recommendation
Most Pearland homes need somewhere between 60 and 150 CFM of continuous ventilation. You get one recommended unit sized to that number.
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Install
The ERV sits on a vibration-isolated platform in the attic. Intake and exhaust run outside through the soffit or roof, and the supply ties into the HVAC return. Most installs take about a day.
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Verification and walkthrough
We measure airflow at the intake and exhaust to confirm it is performing. Then we set the CO2 and humidity targets and go over the maintenance schedule with you.
- $99 Diagnostic visit ($79 for new customers), waived when you approve the repair
- Free In-home estimates on new systems
- Same price Nights, weekends, and holidays. No overtime fees.
What Pearland neighbors are saying
"Michael Schmidt did a fantastic job, very knowledgeable. He was a delight to work with, breath of fresh air. Would like request him for my next visit."
"They went right to work and didn't stop until the job was completed. They installed all new ducting and a new inlet box and a plenum on my hvac system. After the job was completed they cleaned up the little bits of debris that had dropped from the vents when they replaced the ducting."
"Robert Britt went above and beyond and really helped a gal out. We tried cleaning the vent ourselves and the brush got stuck inside the vent. He was able to clear it in like 10min. Took the shoulder vent off with it in it and cleared the lint and then put it back together for us. What a gentleman."
Frequently asked
How much does an ERV install cost in Pearland?
It depends on the unit size and how far the intake and exhaust have to run to the outside. After the in-home assessment you get a written quote with the model and an out-the-door price.
ERV or HRV, which is right for Pearland?
An ERV, in nearly all Pearland homes. Because it moves moisture as well as heat, summer air comes in partly dried by the air going out, and in winter the house holds on to some of its humidity. HRVs are built for cold, dry climates.
Will it raise my electric bill?
A little. The ERV has its own small fan, and the incoming air adds some load on the AC. Energy recovery keeps that cost well below what you would pay running a bath fan around the clock.
How is this different from a bath fan or kitchen exhaust?
A bath or kitchen fan pushes air out without bringing any in. That pulls the house into negative pressure, which can backdraft a gas water heater or furnace. An ERV brings in filtered, tempered air at the same rate it exhausts.
Will it help with allergies?
Partly. On a high-pollen day, outside air brings pollen with it, and the pre-filter only catches some. Paired with MERV-13 filtration at the air handler, the indoor air ends up cleaner than either gets it alone. For bad pollen allergies we sometimes set the ERV to run less during peak pollen weeks.
How often does it need maintenance?
Change the filter every 6 to 12 months. The energy recovery core, the part that swaps heat and moisture, is washable and gets cleaned every year or two. Clear Advantage covers it.
Does my home actually need this?
An older, leakier house probably does not, since it pulls in plenty of outside air on its own. Newer tight homes usually benefit. During the assessment we measure CO2 and look at how tight the house is, and we tell you what we find.