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

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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

How Many CFM Does My Home Need? Ventilation Advice from HVAC Researcher Jeff Siegel

Spoiler alert: Corbett's wearing a retainer. Yes. You don't have to comment about it. Video forthcoming, as a matter of fact. Jeff Siegel is a superstar of HVAC research, and you can learn more from him in his original interview with me and at his research site. We're in the University of Toronto's rooftop climate chamber, shooting the bull about how many air cleanings per hour (aka air changes per hour, which is confusing to blower door folk) we should aim for in our living spaces. Learn more about specific ventilation strategies at:

https://Broan-Nutone.com

https://AirCycler.com

https://Renewaire.com

https://HVI.org

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

Whole Home Depressurization: Worst Case 'Thanksgiving Day' Scenario for Pressure Imbalances

From 'Home Diagnosis' Season 2 ep7: It's important to test how much suction your home can create with the machines and duct systems built into it- is it sucking hard enough to create unhealthy contaminant or moisture problems for your family? Here's a quick look at the 'Thanksgiving Day scenario' we worry about in homes new and old. See this entire episode: https://homediagnosis.tv/episode-207-slow-burn

Join our Patreon team and be part of our exploration of the Science of Homes: https://www.patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Chef-Level Home Kitchen? Chef-Level Exhaust Hood. Don't Be Lame.

From 'Home Diagnosis' Season 2 Ep7: For all of us upping our home kitchen game, it's important to be reminded that the most important piece of equipment in the kitchen, and in fact in the entire air quality system of the home, is the kitchen exhaust hood. Don't let your kitchen designer or your glossy home makeover magazine tell you different. See the entire episode at: https://homediagnosis.tv/episode-207-slow-burn See our own home's Ultimate Kitchen Exhaust System: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/blog/2021/5/15/how-to-design-install-and-test-a-perfect-kitchen-exhaust-and-make-up-air-system

Join our Patreon team and become part of our exploration of the Science of Homes: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Spray Foam Inspection & Testing in Crawlspace and Side Attic

From 'Home Diagnosis' Season 2 Ep6: Spray foam insulation is often advertised as a cure-all, but there are LOTS of ways to mess it up. Here's a tour and testing of a home in Atlanta where the spray foam insulation isn't doing what it was intended to do. Watch the whole episode: https://homediagnosis.tv/episode-206-windbreakers-air-sealing-and-insulation

Join our Patreon team and be part of our exploration of the Science of Homes: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

How to Maintain Your ERV: Pressure Check, Clean Filters, Evacuate the Bugs

Depending on where you live, where your fresh air intake is located, and how you run your ventilation system, your filters may get pretty gross in a matter of months. Here’s a few pointers on picking, and maintaining an ERV or HRV. Renewaire ERVs: https://www.renewaire.com/our-ervs/single-multi-family/

Broan ERVs: https://www.broan-nutone.com/en-us/fresh-air-systems/residential

Fantech SER150 installed here: https://shop.fantech.net/en-US/ser--150--fresh--air--appliance/p512709

Consult or coach with me via Zoom or in person: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/video-consulting

Join our Patreon membership and help guide our exploration of the Science of Homes: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Hotel Bathroom Wrecked (by Design)

How Not to Design Ventilation with a Bath Exhaust Fan

At the end of our South Central Tour for Home Diagnosis Season 3, we stayed in a nice new hotel that I just couldn't help but show you. We've stayed in dozens exactly like this, but it's just too many times to refrain from making fun of these bozos anymore.

See how you design and install bath fans like a grown up here: https://youtu.be/YAi9rJ31wqU

See 'Home Diagnosis' episodes at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Air On Fire: Mindblowing Picture of Your Home's Indoor Chemistry

It's hard to believe in something you can't see, so let us show it to you. Learn the most basic facts about the chemistry of the air around your face, every minute of every day of your life. Thanks to our 18 show sponsor companies and three dozen Patreon supporters for making this show season possible. Help support our work at: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV See the show at: http://HomeDiagnosis.tv