Do most people put in an ERV as part of new construction?

14 years ago

X-posted in HVAC

Sorry -- another question here. :)

Do most people put an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) in as part of their HVAC when building? I'm not aware of this where we live (South Dakota/Iowa) but I notice that most people have trouble with condensation on their new windows during the winter and other air quality issues. I assume the condensation thing is due to pretty "tight" homes with all the insulation used now.

Thoughts? Is an ERV worth it? Does it help with humidity in the home during the winter? We have allergies. I've never had one of these, so I'm not sure how I would feel the "difference"...

Thanks for your input!

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Comments (8)

rockmanor
14 years ago
I doubt that "most" people have either an ERV or HRV installed, even though I do believe they're essential in new(er) tight houses and will eventually become the norm. We had an ERV installed on the main system for our current home and it does make a positive difference.

Up north, I'd expect that you'd be better off with the HRV instead. You might also want to investigate exhaust fans (like a Panasonic bathroom exhaust) for your laundry room. Someone who used to post here had a very nice integrated system installed with multiple intake/output vents. If I recall correctly, their ERV/HRV was tied to the exhaust vents so that using the exhaust fans triggered the ERV/HRV to provide makeup air.
terry_t
14 years ago
My heat-only system was designed to include a Fantech HRV (my winters have lows of -20 to -30 deg). Exhaust vents were planned for bathrooms, laundry room, and a location near the kitchen (but not intended as the stove/oven exhaust).

As rockmanor stated, newer houses are much tighter with regard to air flow and mechanically driven make-up air is essential for providing fresh air and for eliminating moisture and fumes from combustible sources (fireplaces, gas appliances, etc.). Filters meet HEPA specs and should reduce allergy problems.

Go to www.fantech.net for a good primer on indoor air quality issues.
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energy_rater_la
14 years ago
We use ERV's here in the south. Most homes do not require this because although they claim to be built tightly ..they simply are not tight enough to require this.
Homes have to be tested with a blower door to determine the tightness of the structure. If the house is .25 air changes per hour or less fresh air or make up air is required. The only homes I've tested in my 10+ years that met this low air infiltration rate were sips homes. Or homes that incorperated lots of attention to air sealing from the outside of the wall to the interior of wall.
an example is foam sheathing with seams taped holes sealed, sill plates gasketed to the slab, conventional insulation and air tight drywall to interior. even foam insulated homes do not always meet .25ach it is the details that make homes tight.usually the homeowner is the detail person not the builder.

you don't know how tight the house is until it is tested.
let me say that again...you don't know how tight the house is until it is tested.
build tight..ventilate right! that is efficiency,
and efficient houses are healthy houses.

ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation details the specifics..Manhatten can tell you exactly what it says...Hey Manhatten where yat?

Oh and wouldnt a HRV be used for your climate?
best of luck.
jasonmi7
14 years ago
Correct, modern construction (that is, energy effecient, properly sealed), SHOULD include an HRV or ERV.
shelly_k
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the advice. We'll talk more with the HVAC guy...
dreamywhite
14 years ago
We are doing an HRV but only because we live in Wisconsin. We are doing it because you must have a fresh air intake and it makes sense to get one that will heat the air and filter it as well. We bought the Broan with the Hepa Filter built right in, to keep our home extra sanitary. We bought it online for $770 which is a steal compared to the other prices out there.
macv
14 years ago
A better option would be an integrated mechanical system like the Matrix by NTI that includes everything in one unit.

I will be putting three of them in a 3 family building in month or two.

Here is a link that might be useful: Matrix IMS
ilmbg
14 years ago
Yes- My mom's new house in Rapid City, SD was very, very tight- so tight that it felt 'stale' and humid. The neighbors, who used same builder had a fresh air circulater put in and said it made all the difference...

Do most people put in an ERV as part of new construction?

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Do most people put in an ERV as part of new construction?

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