Can an ERV connect to existing ductwork?

Sometimes, when airflow and manufacturer requirements support it. Other homes need dedicated ductwork or a standalone solution.

What maintenance does an ERV need?

It varies by model, but commonly includes filter care, checking exterior terminations and servicing the recovery core according to manufacturer instructions.

How much does installation cost?

Cost depends on home size, capacity, design, ductwork, access, controls, penetrations and finish work. Written pricing is provided after assessment and design.

ERV & Fresh-Air Ventilation in Greater Boston

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ERV & Fresh-Air Ventilation in Greater Boston | 617 HVAC

A Tight Home Still Needs Fresh Air

Efficiency changed how homes breathe.

Older homes exchanged air through gaps around windows, doors and the building enclosure. That movement was uncontrolled and inefficient, but it moved air. Spray foam, insulation and extensive air sealing keep heating and cooling inside more effectively, while natural leakage may no longer provide sufficient or predictable ventilation.

The answer is not to make the home leaky again. It is to replace uncontrolled leakage with designed, filtered, balanced ventilation.

Start With the Concern

Most homeowners are not searching for an ERV.

They start with stale air, stuffy bedrooms, lingering odors, condensation or concerns after weatherization or tight new construction. Those signs do not automatically mean an ERV is needed.

Filtration, ventilation, humidity and contaminant sources affect indoor air differently. The first step is understanding what is actually contributing.

Indoor Air Quality Assessment First

What Are We Looking At?

A typical assessment takes about 60–90 minutes. Using a professional multi-sensor instrument, we evaluate airborne particles, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, total VOCs, formaldehyde, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, temperature and relative humidity.

Test

Measure the indoor conditions without padding the visit with unrelated services.

Document

Record the readings and relevant conditions in the home.

Explain

Provide a written report and explain what the readings may mean.

Recommend

If findings justify further testing or ventilation work, explain why before adding it to the scope.

This is professional screening, not laboratory identification. Mold, radon, asbestos, lead and specific chemical compounds require dedicated testing.

Designed Around the House

There is no universal ERV layout.

We account for layout, required airflow, manufacturer instructions, cold-weather performance, intake and exhaust locations, existing HVAC conditions and future service access.

Integrated HVAC Ductwork

Connect to existing ductwork when the system and airflow requirements support it.

Dedicated Ventilation Ductwork

Use independent supply and exhaust routes when they fit the home better.

Standalone Room Ventilation

Use a room-specific approach where that makes more sense.

Panasonic, AprilAire and Pioneer products are selected for the application—not by brand alone. You receive one clear recommendation, not a list of packages.

Why 617 HVAC

See what we see. Measure what matters. Then decide.

We do not start with an ERV, air cleaner or other product. We start with the condition inside the home and what the assessment shows.

Technicians are not paid sales commission. You receive a written report first and a written project proposal before approved work begins.

Measure

Document indoor-air readings.

Explain

Explain the findings and their limits.

Recommend

Recommend what fits without services the findings do not justify.

What an ERV Does

Fresh air in. Stale air out. Energy recovered.

An energy recovery ventilator runs two controlled air streams. One brings outdoor air in and the other removes stale indoor air. They pass through a recovery core without directly mixing, transferring some heat and moisture and reducing the heating, cooling and humidity impact of ventilation.

Outdoor Intake

Outdoor air enters through a designed and protected intake.

Fresh-Air Supply

Filtered outdoor air is delivered to the home.

Stale-Air Return

Stale indoor air is collected for removal.

Exhaust

Stale air leaves through a separate exterior termination.

Complete Transparency

HRV or ERV?

Installation, Testing and Handoff

Installation is not complete until it is verified.

Depending on design, installation may include exterior penetrations, termination hoods, new or modified ductwork, equipment mounting, electrical service, controls, condensate management, insulation, sealing and finish restoration. We obtain permits and coordinate inspections when required.

Design

Complete the application-specific airflow and installation design.

Install

Install the equipment, air paths, controls and supporting components.

Test

Commission to manufacturer requirements. When connected to existing ductwork, recheck airflow and static pressure.

Document and Walk Through

Provide instructions, warranty information, manufacturer registration, project photos and a system walkthrough.

617 provides a one-year labor warranty. Equipment carries the manufacturer's warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my home needs an ERV?

Stale air, stuffy bedrooms, lingering odors, spray foam, extensive air sealing or tight new construction are reasons to evaluate ventilation. An assessment determines whether an ERV, HRV or something else fits.

Are ERVs required in new Massachusetts homes?

Massachusetts Stretch and Specialized Codes generally require balanced heat- or energy-recovery ventilation for new residential construction, commonly an HRV or ERV. Requirements vary by project, municipality and governing code.

Does an ERV filter outdoor air or help with allergies?

ERVs include filtration, but it varies by product and does not replace primary HVAC filtration. Ventilation may dilute some contaminants, but allergies can involve filtration, humidity, pollen and other sources. We do not promise medical outcomes.

Does an ERV control humidity?

It transfers some moisture and moderates the ventilation-related humidity load, but does not replace active humidification or dehumidification.

Service Area

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Arlington, MABack Bay, Boston, MABeacon Hill, Boston, MABedford, MABelmont, MA

Not sure your home is getting enough fresh air?

Start with the air, not the equipment. We test indoor conditions, document the findings and explain whether ventilation, filtration, humidity control or further investigation makes sense.

Schedule an Assessment Call (617) 835-8058

Indoor Air Quality Air Filtration Video Duct Inspection Mold Testing

Fresh Air Ventilation and ERV Systems in Greater Boston

Efficiency changed how homes breathe.

Most homeowners are not searching for an ERV.

What Are We Looking At?

Test

Document

Explain

Recommend

There is no universal ERV layout.

Integrated HVAC Ductwork

Dedicated Ventilation Ductwork

Standalone Room Ventilation

See what we see. Measure what matters. Then decide.

Fresh air in. Stale air out. Energy recovered.

Outdoor Intake

Fresh-Air Supply

Stale-Air Return

Exhaust

HRV or ERV?

Installation is not complete until it is verified.

Design

Install

Test

Document and Walk Through

Frequently Asked Questions

Service Area

Not sure your home is getting enough fresh air?

Company

Contact

Ongoing ventilation and exhaust replacement are not the same thing.

Exhaust

Pressure

Combustion Awareness

Designed Replacement

Fresh air is not something we install and forget.

Filters

Controls

Exterior Terminations

Performance

Indoor air quality rarely depends on one product.

Air Filtration

Video Duct Inspection

Mold Testing

Humidity Control