Air Exchangers

WHAT HOMEOWNERS SHOULD KNOW

BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER

Air exchangers, they lurk in the basement of homes across the Midwest and they’re one of the most often ignored pieces of in-home technology.

“Don’t be afraid of them,” said Jamie Kleinschmidt of Kleinschmidt Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. “They’re there to help your house stay in good shape.”

Most clients, he said, don’t even know what the air exchanger does, they just know it’s a box hanging in the basement.

“Ask an HVAC (professional) when they’re there, how they work and what you should be doing.”

This crucial piece of equipment doesn’t require a ton of maintenance but shouldn’t simply be ignored. Exchangers were invented in the late 1990s as new homes became more effi cient and air tight with Tyvek wrap and energy-effi cient windows.

“The exchanger lets your house basically breathe,” he said. “It exchanges air from the inside to the outside. It’s built so it moves the air around.”

Without it, windows can fog over with condensation and mold can form inside the home. Windows that fog over suddenly, or windows where water is running down the pane, signal there could be a problem with the exchanger and the issue should be addressed promptly so it doesn’t cause larger issues in the home, he said.

Many older homes, with more gaps and cracks, may not be built tight enough to require the use of an air exchanger.

• There are fi lters inside the exchanger that need to be cleaned at a minimum every six months.

• Generally, exchangers have a removable core that can be taken out and washed with warm, soapy water. Once clean and dry, the core can be put back in place.

• Wipe off the interior of the air exchanger with a soft cloth, removing cob webs, pet hair and dust.

• Check the vents on the outside of the house. Vents often get plugged with grass clippings, dust and dirt and a reduction in air fl ow can be hard on the exchanger’s motors. An HVAC professional can provide guidance on the location of any vents connected to the exchanger.

• Have the air exchanger checked over at the same time as a furnace tune-up. Don’t be afraid to ask an HVAC professional about maintaining the air exchanger. They can provide guidance on appropriate settings.

Here are some simple tips for keeping the mysterious box running:

Damon Poepping, of Kleinschmidt Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, removes the heat recovery core from an air exchanger. Jaime Kleinschmidt said air exchangers are an important part of any modern home’s HVAC system. While the maintenance on them is simple, he said it should not be ignored. ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED

“The exchanger lets your house basically breathe. It exchanges air from the inside to the outside. It’s built so it moves the air around.” Jamie Kleinschmidt

AIR EXCHANGERS from page 25

Air exchangers are a critical component to maintaining the proper humidity and exchange of fresh air inside today’s more effi cient and air-tight homes.

• Exchangers have circuit boards and motors that can go out. If the exchanger begins making noise, or condensation appears suddenly on the windows, it’s a warning sign that something isn’t working properly. Call a professional to troubleshoot the system. • Some air exchangers have control modules, others have a thermostat depending on the style. The settings adjust the humidity in the home, the fan speed and how the exchanger runs. There may also be indicator lights on when to change or clean the fi lter. • Air exchangers should be balanced by a technician to make sure they’re pulling in the same amount of air as they’re pushing out. There are dampers that open and close to adjust the air fl ows and it’s important to get the right exchange to keep the house as healthy as possible.

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