Build Equinox
Build Equinox designs and manufactures the CERV smart ventilation and indoor air quality management system for residential and commercial buildings, serving homeowners, architects, HVAC contractors, and high-performance builders primarily in the US and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersUrbana, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Build Equinox does
Build Equinox is a private, US-based hardware company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Urbana, Illinois, that designs and manufactures the CERV (Conditioning Energy Recovery Ventilator), a smart indoor air quality management system for residential and commercial buildings. The flagship CERV2 integrates fresh air ventilation, air-to-air heat pump energy recovery (claimed over 100% recovery efficiency versus 75–90% for conventional ERV/HRVs), demand-controlled ventilation driven by onboard CO2 and VOC sensors, MERV13–MERV16 filtration, optional UV sanitization (CERV-UV), precision zone ventilation, humidity management, and smart controls via the CERV-ICE app and Alexa integration. Manufacturing takes place in Monticello, Minnesota, and the products are sold in the United States and Canada, with arrangements available for other geographies on request.
The business model is direct-to-customer hardware sales with quote-based, non-public pricing, supplemented by a recurring consumables stream (MERV-rated and carbon replacement filters on a 3-month cycle) and a layered add-on ecosystem including CERV-UV, Geo-Boost geothermal integration, zone dampers, wireless sensors, and a remote touchscreen controller. Go-to-market combines direct website-driven sales, specification by architects and designers, and an open installer channel in which any HVAC or mechanical contractor can install the system without special certification. The customer base is concentrated in the high-performance, Passive House, and net-zero residential construction segment, with a secondary push into classrooms and commercial spaces via the CERV-1000 launched in 2023.
Build Equinox firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Build Equinox
- Legal name
- Build Equinox
- Website
- https://buildequinox.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Build Equinox designs and manufactures the CERV smart ventilation and indoor air quality management system for residential and commercial buildings, serving homeowners, architects, HVAC contractors, and high-performance builders primarily in the US and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Build Equinox industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality Equipment
- NAICS
- Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)
- SIC
- Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Air Quality & Filtration Equipment (IAQ) (IMAHAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- HVAC Air Filtration & Air Purifier Installation (HSAOAIAC), Ventilation System Installation & Repair (Bath/Kitchen Fans, ERV/HRV) (HSAOAIAF), Smart Air Quality Sensors, Purifiers & Humidifier/Dehumidifier Integration (HSAOANAH), Fans, Blowers & Ventilation Units (Supply/Exhaust/Inline) (IMADANAB)
Keywords
Where Build Equinox is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Urbana
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Build Equinox business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- CERV Hardware Sales: The company sells CERV and CERV-1000 units directly to customers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customers can request quotes through the website. The company also manufactures in the USA (Monticello, Minnesota) and sells directly to customers.
- Replacement Filters & Accessories: Affordable replacement filters (MERV13, MERV14, carbon, VOC-absorbing Colorfil) and add-on accessories sold through the online store for existing CERV owners.
- Options & Add-ons: Various optional add-ons including CERV-UV ultraviolet sanitization, zone dampers, wireless sensors, occupancy sensors, duct heaters, I/O expansion boards, remote touchscreens, and dehumidifier control modules are available as add-on purchases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CERV2 unit with standard features |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CERV-1000 for commercial/classroom use |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Add-on options (UV, zone dampers, sensors) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Replacement filters (3-month replacement cycle) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Build Equinox product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Build Equinox designs, manufactures, and sells the CERV (Conditioning Energy Recovery Ventilator) line of smart indoor air quality management systems. The CERV2 (residential/multifamily) and CERV-1000 (commercial/classroom) units integrate fresh air ventilation, heat pump energy recovery, demand-controlled CO2/VOC sensing, MERV filtration, optional UV sanitization, and WiFi smart controls (via the CERV-ICE app) into a single unit. The company sells directly to homeowners, architects, designers, HVAC contractors, and builders primarily in the US and Canada, with the CERV2 manufactured in Monticello, Minnesota.
Product overview
Build Equinox offers the CERV (Conditioning Energy Recovery Ventilator) product line as a comprehensive indoor air quality management system. The core products are the CERV2 for residential/multifamily applications and the CERV-1000 for commercial and classroom applications. The CERV2 is an advanced home air quality management system that combines ventilation, air purification, UV sanitization, heat pump energy recovery, and smart controls in one unit. Add-on modules include CERV-UV for ultraviolet germ protection, Geo-Boost for geothermal integration, and Zone Dampers for precision zone control. The ecosystem is supported by the CERV-ICE mobile app for remote monitoring, a full line of wireless sensors (occupancy, T/RH/CO2, door/window), and replacement filters (MERV 13/14/16, carbon, VOC-absorbing). The company sells direct and works with HVAC installers and contractors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CERV2: Advanced home air quality management system - smart ventilation ERV with heat pump energy recovery, UV sanitization, and IAQ monitoring
- CERV-1000
- CERV-ICE
- CERV-UV
- Geo-Boost
Products and services
- CERV2 The flagship residential whole-house air quality management system. Unlike standard ERVs/HRVs, the CERV2 measures and actively reduces pollutants, combats germs and viruses with optional UV technology, shields homes from outdoor pollutants like wildfire smoke, and provides smart controls, zone ventilation, heat pump energy recovery, and air purification in a single integrated unit. Designed for homeowners in new construction, retrofit, standalone, or HVAC-integrated applications.
- CERV-1000 Commercial-grade version of the CERV designed for classrooms, restaurants, and other high occupant density spaces. Provides automated indoor air quality and comfort control for larger-scale applications.
- CERV-UV Ultraviolet Sanitization Non-ozone generating ultraviolet light technology add-on for the CERV that sanitizes air, kills germs and viruses, and prevents biological growth on filters. Available for CERV2 systems.
- CERV1 & CERV2 Remote Touchscreen Controller New remote touchscreen control option for operating CERV1 and CERV2 systems, providing on-wall control and monitoring of indoor air quality and comfort.
- MERV 16 Filtration Enhanced MERV 16 particulate filtration option for the CERV and CERV2, providing higher-grade air filtration for improved indoor air quality.
- MERV 14 Filters Higher-grade MERV 14 replacement filters for the CERV, providing upgraded particulate filtration compared to the standard MERV 13 OEM filter.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40% reduction in sick days with improved ventilation (doubling from 20cfm to 40cfm per person)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Build Equinox
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Build Equinox technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability1 record
Feature8 records
Build Equinox partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Tom Bassett-Dilley ArchitectscoreTom Bassett-Dilley Architects designed the Acorn Glade Passive House project featuring the CERV2. The architect specializes in health, energy efficiency, and beauty through Passive House technology, zero energy buildings, and Biophilic design.
- VermodcoreVermod, a manufacturer of high performance manufactured homes in the New England area, was an early adopter of CERV technology. Their first four production homes constructed in 2013 included CERV units.
- University of IllinoiscoreThe University of Illinois ADAPTHAUS team used CERV2 in their Solar Decathlon 2021 entry, winning 1st place in Comfort & Environmental Quality. The company has collaborated on particulate research published in 2024.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Build Equinox competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zehnder America: Zehnder produces high-efficiency ERV/HRV systems for residential and commercial ventilation, often specified in Passive House and high-performance building projects alongside CERV.
- RenewAire: RenewAire manufactures energy recovery ventilators for residential and commercial IAQ, the closest direct competitor to CERV in residential fresh-air ventilation with ERV technology.
Broad incumbents
- Carrier Residential: Carrier provides whole-home ventilation, filtration, and HVAC controls across mainstream residential channels, the type of incumbent CERV could displace in high-performance specs.
- Lennox Residential: Lennox offers Healthy Climate solutions including ERVs and air purification systems targeting the same residential IAQ buyer as Build Equinox.
- AprilAire: AprilAire is a leading U.S. residential IAQ brand offering fresh-air ventilation, dehumidifiers, and filtration that overlap with CERV's whole-home air quality positioning.
- Trane Technologies: Trane offers residential and commercial ventilation and IAQ solutions as part of a broad HVAC portfolio, with the scale and distribution CERV lacks.
- Broan-NuTone: Broan-NuTone is a major U.S. ventilation and IAQ brand offering ERVs, HRVs, and air quality products across mainstream residential channels.
- Panasonic Eco Solutions (IAQ/Ventilation): Panasonic supplies WhisperComfort and other ERV/HRV residential fresh-air products, competing with CERV in whole-house ventilation.
Regional players
- Vent-Axia / Aldes Group: Aldes (owner of Vent-Axia) is a European-headquartered ventilation and IAQ manufacturer serving residential and commercial markets analogous to CERV, primarily outside North America.
Emerging players
- LUNOS (Germany): LUNOS makes decentralized HRVs and demand-controlled ventilation popular in Passive House retrofits, a comparable high-efficiency niche player to CERV.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Build Equinox social profiles
Digital presenceBuild Equinox financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Build Equinox leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Build Equinox funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Build Equinox M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Build Equinox
What does Build Equinox do?
Build Equinox designs, manufactures, and sells the CERV (Conditioning Energy Recovery Ventilator) line of smart indoor air quality management systems. The CERV2 (residential/multifamily) and CERV-1000 (commercial/classroom) units integrate fresh air ventilation, heat pump energy recovery, demand-controlled CO2/VOC sensing, MERV filtration, optional UV sanitization, and WiFi smart controls (via the CERV-ICE app) into a single unit. The company sells directly to homeowners, architects, designers, HVAC contractors, and builders primarily in the US and Canada, with the CERV2 manufactured in Monticello, Minnesota.
Is Build Equinox a public or private company?
Build Equinox is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Build Equinox founded?
Build Equinox was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Build Equinox based?
Build Equinox is headquartered in Urbana, United States, in the North America region.
How does Build Equinox make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. CERV Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are replacement Filters & Accessories and options & Add-ons.
Who are Build Equinox's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zehnder America and RenewAire. Broad incumbents are Carrier Residential, Lennox Residential, AprilAire, Trane Technologies, Broan-NuTone and Panasonic Eco Solutions (IAQ/Ventilation). Vent-Axia / Aldes Group is listed as a regional player. LUNOS (Germany) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Build Equinox have an API?
No public API is recorded for Build Equinox.
What industry is Build Equinox in?
Build Equinox's product category is Smart Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAKAI, Air Quality & Filtration Equipment (IAQ), with a secondary code of HSAOAIAC, HVAC Air Filtration & Air Purifier Installation. Its NAICS code is 333413 and its SIC code is 3564.