Inside LUNOS: How LUNOS Works

Every home breathes — but not always well. Air is constantly on the move, rising when it’s warm, settling when it’s cool, and finding its way through even the smallest cracks and openings. When that natural rhythm slows or stops, the air inside grows heavy with the moisture of daily life — the steam from a shower, the heat from a stove, even the breath in the room. As that air lingers, it loses its freshness and becomes still — a quiet reminder that every home needs to keep breathing.

That’s why ventilation matters in every home — whether it’s brand new or built decades ago. Steady, controlled airflow doesn’t just protect the building; it protects the people living inside. Good ventilation keeps air fresh, humidity in check, and comfort consistent — quietly supporting the health of your home year-round.

Like people, homes need to breathe. Some rely on natural airflow — cracks, windows, or pressure changes — while others use mechanical systems that move air on purpose. In one, the elements set the pace; in the other, fans draw air through heat exchangers that recover warmth along the way.

LUNOS is a decentralized form of mechanical ventilation — each unit operates directly through the wall, without ducts or complex distribution systems.

Passive ventilation depends on the elements to move air through the home. When conditions are right, air drifts in through vents or openings — carried along by subtle shifts in pressure and temperature. On some days, those breezes move freely; on others, the air outside sits still, and the rooms inside do the same.

Mechanical ventilation keeps a home breathing when nature pauses. It uses fans to move air on purpose — bringing fresh air in and carrying stale air out in a steady, balanced rhythm.

Mechanical ventilation isn’t limited by how or when a building was built — it’s about creating healthy air wherever people live. Every space has its own challenges: a room that feels stale, a basement that traps humidity, or an area where fresh air just doesn’t circulate the way it should. Mechanical systems bring control to all of them, keeping air movement steady, predictable, and balanced.

That’s where decentralized systems like LUNOS stand out. They deliver all the benefits of mechanical ventilation — fresh air in, stale air out, and heat recovery along the way — without the complexity of ducts or large equipment. It’s a simple, adaptable approach that fits as easily into a compact space as it does into a modern, energy-efficient home.

Versatile and unobtrusive, LUNOS works seamlessly within any space — delivering quiet, reliable airflow and lasting comfort.

A LUNOS heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is a compact, wall-mounted system that contains everything needed to circulate air and recover heat within a single unit. The image below shows the main components that make this possible.

1. Exterior Grille or Hood

Mounted on the building façade, the hood protects the exterior opening from wind, rain, and insects while allowing air to move freely in and out. Several hood options are available for the e² series — including the basic plastic screen (as shown on the Lunos e2), universal hood, and aluminum hood — while the Ego uses either the universal (as shown on the Lunos Ego) or aluminum hood.

2. pbD Polymer Heat-Exchange Module

At the heart of the system is the patented pbD polymer core — a lightweight, recyclable material that replaces traditional ceramic exchangers. It’s cleaner to manufacture, using about 70 % less energy, and its smoother internal geometry improves airflow and reduces noise. Despite its smaller size, it boosts thermal transfer efficiency by up to 5 % and weighs about half as much as ceramic versions.

This advanced core stores warmth from outgoing air and transfers it to the incoming stream, without the two airstreams ever mixing.

3. Air Diffuser

A built-in diffuser (standard in the e² series) shapes the outgoing airflow, smoothing turbulence and directing fresh air gently into the room. This helps the unit deliver a balanced airflow without drafts.

4. Reversible Fan

A quiet, low-voltage fan that periodically changes direction, alternating between intake and exhaust. This movement drives the entire ventilation cycle, ensuring a steady exchange of indoor and outdoor air while maintaining whisper-quiet operation.

5. Interior Grille

The interior grille covers the fan and filter assembly, providing a clean, finished appearance inside the room. Several interior grille options are available for the e² series to suit different needs, while the ego uses a fixed, integrated grille.

Because every home is different, LUNOS is designed to be modular and flexible — each unit can operate on its own or in pairs, making it easy to adapt to different spaces and comfort needs.

For a deeper look at how to choose the right grille, hood, or filter for your home, see the related article referenced at the end of this page.

LUNOS units work in pairs, moving air in a gentle, alternating cycle — much like a pair of lungs.

While one unit exhausts stale indoor air through its pbD core, the other draws in fresh outdoor air. The process then reverses automatically, ensuring balanced airflow and consistent comfort without drafts or pressure differences.

This alternating exchange is what makes heat recovery possible: as warm or cool air leaves the room, the pbD core captures its temperature and passes it to the incoming air. The result is continuous, natural ventilation that keeps air movement smooth, quiet, and efficient

Every time air leaves your home, it carries warmth in winter and coolness in summer. Without recovery, that comfort simply escapes outdoors.

With LUNOS, that energy is captured right through the wall — quietly, efficiently, and one room at a time. Inside each unit, the pbD polymer heat-exchange core transfers warmth or coolness from the outgoing air to the incoming stream, helping maintain comfortable temperatures year-round while reducing the load on heating and cooling systems.

Because LUNOS operates continuously, air is always moving — fresh air in, stale air out — without the drafts or temperature swings that come from opening windows. The system works automatically, adjusting to maintain balanced airflow and comfort in every season.

Together, these simple components create a complete ventilation system — one that moves air naturally, recovers heat efficiently, and keeps homes comfortable in every season. That’s what makes LUNOS truly unique: fresh air, made simple.

Still have questions about how LUNOS works in your home? Our team is here to help.