More Machines = More Maintenance

Smart thermostats, top of the line heat pumps, whole home dehumidifiers, ERVs; the foundations of a high-performance home all have an easy to miss component that can make or break the entire ensemble. While your contractor may have gone over the cliff notes of the install and given you a brief rundown of the controls, without a thorough understanding of said controls and a consistent maintenance plan the entire operation can fall apart.

                  The controls for these components can be tricky even for the most experienced of technicians. For example, an ERV appears to be a fairly straightforward device; air is supplied from the outdoors, passes through a filtered core, and is dumped into the indoor space while an equal amount of air is exhausted from the indoors, crosses streams with the incoming air from the outside through the same filtered core, and is dumped to the outdoors. However, what happens if the system is not perfectly balanced? What if the home has a history of high radon and the system is exhausting more air than it is supplying, creating a negative pressure on the space? In this instance a slightly positive pressure should be placed on the home by supplying more air than it exhausts. This can only be determined and completed if full testing is conducted on the ERV system and the controls modified by an individual with proper knowledge of the controls.

                  All the settings have been properly set by a technician, and the system is operating correctly. But this operation was done in the middle of summer and winter is quickly approaching; these settings may have been perfectly calibrated for the summer heat, but what about the frigid winter? Having someone who is knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the performance of these components in all 4 seasons will help you maintain the performance of your systems, which can be completed during your 6 month maintenance visits. These maintenance visits are imperative to the upkeep of your home as every system has components that are vulnerable to wear and tear. Just like you need to change the filters in your HVAC returns, filters in your whole home dehumidifiers and ERVs also need to be regularly changed. These systems may be in difficult places to access such as tight crawlspaces or hard to reach attic spaces. Wouldn’t having a dedicated team of technicians available to manage these on your behalf make life easier?

                  In the end, high-performance homes don’t stay high-performing by accident—they thrive with expert attention, seasonal adjustments, and a proactive approach to maintenance. As advanced equipment becomes more common, so does the need for trained eyes and hands that understand the nuances behind every setting, sensor, and filter. Partnering with a team like E3 that knows your systems intimately ensures they continue operating safely, efficiently, and in harmony with your home’s unique needs. With the right maintenance plan, you can enjoy the comfort and confidence that your investment will deliver peak performance all year long—without the stress of managing it all yourself.