Why I Oughta...

 Recently, I went to check out the model at the Nitti Development on the site of the old Elmhurst Hospital .  Wanted to see what was going on with the homes, find a few ideas and just generally poke around.  One of the things that jumped out to me - besides the actual houses(!) - was this system they had set up in the basement.  It is called a Lifebreath Heat Recovery Ventilator. Check out the description from the little sign they posted on the wall below: "Fresh air is continuously circulated through a Lifebreath Heat Recovery Ventilator, which draws stale air out of your home while tempering and cleaning fresh incoming air.  The Energy Star-certified system recovers up to 81% of the energy from exhaust air that would otherwise be lost to the outdoors." So...anyone know what *exactly* that means?  Are these things good ideas?  Mandatory today?  Do you have one in your house?  Should a family install one of these things?

The lot at the end of our block had some construction fencing erected late last week.  Looks like a new house is about to go up.  That makes the 2nd new construction home on our block in the past year.  Seems like - at least part of - the housing sector is coming around?