What is a ducted heat recovery ventilator?
At the forefront of innovation, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems transfer heat or coolness from stale exhaust air to fresh intake air. This balanced ventilation solution removes excess moisture, odors, and contaminants while conserving energy and enhancing comfort.
Do ERVs have drains?
Because ERVs recover moisture, condensation does not typically form in their cores. So, many do not have drains, but it’s still possible for the cores to gather moisture or freeze in extreme weather.
How often should air exchanger be cleaned?
How to keep your air exchanger running smoothly. Some of the components on your air exchanger, such as the recovery core, ventilator, drain pan, and exhaust duct, need to be cleaned at least once a year.
How a heat recovery unit works?
The units work on a principle of renewable energy, extracting as much sensible energy as possible from the exhaust air leaving your building. The theory is simple. As air from inside a building is replaced by air from outside, the heat energy of the exiting air is lost.
Do ERVs require a condensate drain?
No Drain Required-In most conditions, an ERV will not produce any condensation, therefore saving the cost of the drain pan and installing a drain. By using an ERV and avoiding drains, European manufacturers are able to install ERV units in the walls of a home, where there is no place to put a drain.
Should my air exchanger run all the time?
Air exchangers should be run at all time, summer and winter. Depending on the size of your home, energy-efficient air exchangers can cycle through all the air in your home in just a few hours.
What setting should my air exchanger be on in the winter?
Set the control to the highest setting in warmer weather; lower the setting as the weather gets colder. In winter, set the dehumidistat just low enough to prevent condensation on windows.
What maintenance is required on an air exchanger?
Step 1: Clean or replace air filters Dirty or clogged filters can compromise the effectiveness of the ventilation. Attempt to clean the filters at least every two months. Filters of most new HRVs can be removed easily, clean with a vacuum cleaner and wash with mild soap and water before being replaced.
Should I turn my air exchanger off in summer?
The answer depends on your home’s air conditioning system, your ERV wall control, the outdoor temperature and, most importantly, the outdoor relative humidity. As a rule of thumb, if you are more comfortable outside than inside your house, you should run your air exchanger in the summer.
What is the best setting for HRV?
As a general rule of thumb, you should set your system’s dehumidistat to 25 percent to 50 percent depending on the temperature to keep condensation at bay. For instance, 50 percent is the maximum relative humidity you should have if the outdoor temperature is between -11 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius.
What setting should my HRV be on?
If you are using an HRV, then a good rule of thumb would be to set the winter time humidity level to 30% and then monitor your moisture levels. If you have the VanEE ERV with the Platinum Control, it will do this work for you.
Does an HRV run all the time?
To ensure that you home is well-ventilated and maintains good air quality, your HRV and ERV should run continuously. Many HRV fans can operate at low, medium, or high speeds depending on the ventilation requirements.