Austin Riesenberger, Founder of SWERV

Austin Riesenberger is the founder and CEO of SWERV, the company behind the SWERV V3 window ERV. He personally answers customer questions about windows, rooms and CO2 readings.

Background

• HVAC: worked in HVAC for two years before starting SWERV, which is where he saw how hard it is to get fresh air into apartments and older homes without ductwork.
• Columbia University: SWERV began as his senior design project at Columbia.
• Greentown Labs: SWERV is designed, assembled and tested by hand at Greentown Labs in Somerville, Massachusetts, a climate tech startup incubator.

Why SWERV

Before building SWERV, Austin lived in dorms and apartments where the choice was a stuffy, high-CO2 bedroom or an open window that wasted heat and let in noise. Whole-house energy recovery ventilators solve that, but they cost thousands and need ductwork that renters cannot install. SWERV brings the same technology to a single room, in a window, for $799.

He is motivated by two things: better sleep and health from cleaner indoor air, and the climate impact of ventilating homes without throwing energy out the window.

Start here

• High CO2 in your bedroom at night: causes, effects and fixes
• Air purifier vs ERV: why a purifier will not lower your CO2
• Apartment and renter ventilation: every option compared
• Affordable single-room ERV options compared
• Will SWERV fit my window?

Get in touch

Questions about your room or window? Message Austin. Press inquiries: see the press kit.