ERV for Bath Exhaust & in Cold Climates: FAIL or WIN from the Ventilation Manufacturers

Hear it from the people who manufacture fresh air systems, not just from me. ERVs are for very airtight homes (under 2ach50) to balance the exhaust air from pollution sources inside. Download our universal ventilation layout concept at: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/s/BPW-PerformanceVentilationLayout.pdf

Thanks to:
Nick Agopian, Renewaire (https://Renewaire.com)
Travis Rasch, Broan-Nutone (https://Broan.com)
Bruno Poitras, Fantech (https://Fantech.net)
Ken Nelson, Panasonic (https://Panasonic.com)
Szabi Fekete, Zehnder (https://ZehnderAmerica.com)

1:16 Continuity of Balanced Ventilation
2:23 Sizing Considerations
3:36 International Mechanical Code Minimum for Continuous Ventilation Airflow
5:04 Boost Mode
6:27 ERVs in Cold Climates
10:12 ERV vs. Dehumidifier

Watch the first-ever TV series about the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Join our Patreon membership for exclusive access and behind-the-scenes discussions! https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Airtight Home Ventilation: Where to Place ERV Exhaust and Supply Grilles

I only recommend ERVs for very airtight homes (less than 2 ACH50), and in those cases balanced ventilation is the ONLY way to exhaust from bathrooms. More coming on that for those who are scratching their heads. If you DO need an ERV or HRV (hear the difference at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOe4lluGwCg) then where do you put the supply and exhaust ports? How many CFM should they each push and pull? Here's my simple breakdown of what you'll need to consider.

Learn more about home ventilation at: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ventilation

ERV Setup Testing/Commissioning, Using Pressure Curves to Measure Airflow

Using a Renewaire SL70 energy recovery ventilator and a TEC DG-8 pressure gauge, Corbett demonstrates how to set the low and high speeds on an airtight home's balanced ventilation system.

See this ERV line at: https://www.renewaire.com/our-ervs/single-multi-family/sl-series

Get the DG-8 to test your own stuff: https://www.trutechtools.com/tec-minneapolis-dg-8-digital-pressure-gauge-kit.html

Ventilation design course: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ventilation

5 Factors for Ventilation: How to Plan a Healthy Home

The 5 Factors for Ventilation are:

1. Circulation

2. Capture/Filtration

3. Humidity Control

4. Dilution Air

5. Pressure Relief

This way of approaching ventilation design is condensed from hundreds of hours consulting on home projects across North America- let me know if this way of thinking about ventilation is missing anything, we're pretty sure it's a comprehensive guide! Check out the ventilation course: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ventilation

The ventilation brands I refer most include:

https://Broan.com
https://AirCycler.com
https://Renewaire.com

Where Best to Put Ventilation Intakes? ERV, HRV, Supply and Intermittent Exhaust Vent Terminals

The maintenance of homes just doesn't stop, whether it's a high performance home or not. There are too many variables between family behaviors, between homes, between neighborhoods and climates that you just can't predict everything. Tweaks must be made. Here's a quick demonstration of HOW and WHY to clean the ERV or HRV outside ventilation terminals, as well as a quick modification of the insect screen on these 8" round duct hoods.

More on this home at: https://homediagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

Automatic Ventilation Control with Broan-Nutone's Overture: Customizable, Modular Fresh Air System

Places are different, homes are different, families are different. There IS NO SINGLE SOLUTION for ventilation, and that's the way it's likely to stay- so the more modular, customizable components we have access to, the better.

In addition to having some of the most advanced ERVs in the world (stay tuned for more on that), Broan has now made customized, modular ventilation systems much more practical with this lineup of Overture controls: room sensor, wall control, and smart plug- all linked to the algorithms in an app.

The Overture system can control exhaust fans, supply fans, make up air dampers, and ERVs/HRVs- we hope they will continue to push forward into controlling air handlers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and more. Learn more about this system and start brainstorming what you might do with it at: https://Overture.Broan-Nutone.com

Learn more about our TinyLab: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq51-6Gwm3m7HXjRhgt9X7RK

Watch the build of our Forever Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq4YgAoFaG-F6xvGT1MKwt-u

See the first-ever TV series about the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

How Hard is our ERV Working? Testing the Chemical Exhaust, Dust Samples, Rugs, and Formaldehyde

Corbett is testing his family's new high performance home for chemicals- in the dust of the floor, in potential allergens in the (very nice) used rugs they're getting, and even in the exhaust of their energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Thanks to Prism Analytical (http://pati-air.com) for being ready to give us the full rundown of what the results mean next month- don't forget that ANYONE can do these tests in any scenario- it's not rocket science. Subscribe to Healthy Indoors Magazine and join the online community: https://HealthyIndoors.com This ERV is the SER150 from: http://Fantech.net Join our Patreon members for behind-the-scenes access and to support our work: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV See the first-ever TV series about the Science of Homes: http://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Testing Our Home's ERV: Ventilation Airflow, Dewpoint Performance, and Grill Balancing

Using a Testo hotwire anemometer and hygrometer, Retrotec FlowBox, and CPS EasyHood, we commission this Fantech SER150 energy recovery ventilator and tune it to our high performance home's (and our family's) needs.

I get all my test tools from the awesome people at: https://TruTechTools.com

Learn more about this ventilation system: http://Fantech.net

Air Cleaning System for Healthy High Performance Homes

Our family's forever home has some super sophisticated systems (that sometimes require super wacky tweaks to other things in the house). Here you'll get a full tour of our fully-ducted Fantech SER150 energy recovery ventilator (ERV) and CM 3000 HEPA filter unit.

Learn more about these specific products at: http://Fantech.net

Podcast 87: Ventilation Codes and What We’re Missing with Joseph Hillenmeyer of Aprilaire

Anybody who has followed this channel knows that ventilation is important in homes- but how much, what kind, and what's enforced or recommended? This guy knows- Joseph Hillenmeyer at Aprilaire is deeply involved in the communities of builders, contractors, testers, and consumers who are impacted by the pieces of ventilation equipment. Here's where we are right now.

Learn more about Aprilaire ventilation systems at: http://Aprilaire.com

To help support our work educating on the science of homes, please become a member: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Active vs. Passive Ventilation: Why Spend $$ on Fresh Air?

Thanks to subscriber Big O for challenging us on this question: Why are windows no longer good enough? Here's at least four reasons why, installed in our own performance-tuned home. Learn more about these and all the other awesome systems we used to build this house at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

Check out Healthy Indoors Magazine: http://HealthyIndoors.com

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for keeping our work going strong: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Performance Duct Design & Installation: Advanced DIY

In our LONGEST VIDEO YET, get a comprehensive tour of the concepts, design, tools, and install tips that go into building a home's breathing apparatus- the central duct system. Here I get into both the conditioning duct system (heat pump/dehumidifier/filtration loop) and the ERV fresh air ventilation duct system.

Thanks to Neil Comparetto (https://www.facebook.com/comparettocomfortsolutions/) John Semmelhack (http://think-little.com) and Bryan Orr (https://hvacrschool.com) and many other HVAC pro friends for their continual advice and expertise.

I got all my Malco tools used here at: https://TruTechTools.com

Check out my awesome ride, the Aerocreeper: http://aerocreeper.com/

Check out all of Stellar Engraving's duct grilles: https://stellarairdecorativeventcovers.com/

Learn more about the HVAC design process: https://youtu.be/aCIrbSFWD20

Get consulting or training with Corbett: https://BuildingPerformanceWorkshop.com