White Papers

WHITE PAPER: Decarbonization, Building Resiliency and ERVs Climate change is growing in severity, and as our latest white paper asserts action must be taken so it can be curbed. Energy recovery ventilation and the built environment can play critical roles in countering climate change via building decarbonization and resiliency. Such actions can help to support sustainability, while also improving the human condition. It’s a win-win for the environment and building occupant health and wellbeing.

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are much less susceptible to frost than heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) for several reasons. The first is the fact that ERV cores transfer humidity in a gaseous state and avoid liquid condensate, thus eliminating the need for drain pans and condensate lines. Therefore, the areas in HRVs most susceptible to icing aren’t even present in ERVs.

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are much less susceptible to frost than heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) for several reasons. The first is the fact that ERV cores transfer humidity in a gaseous state and avoid liquid condensate, thus eliminating the need for drain pans and condensate lines. Therefore, the areas in HRVs most susceptible to icing aren’t even present in ERVs.

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are much less susceptible to frost than heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) for several reasons. The first is the fact that ERV cores transfer humidity in a gaseous state and avoid liquid condensate, thus eliminating the need for drain pans and condensate lines. Therefore, the areas in HRVs most susceptible to icing aren’t even present in ERVs.

This white paper explores how energy recovery ventilation can reduce energy loads while still providing increased ventilation. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a growing problem particularly in commercial and multifamily settings. Better ventilation is the best way to enhance IAQ, yet fears of added costs hamper progress. Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) is the best solution because it provides clean, healthy indoor air while reducing heating and cooling loads. An ERV uses balanced airflows and recovers otherwise-expended total energy comprised of heat (sensible energy) and humidity (latent energy). In summer, warm and humid outside air is precooled and dehumidified via the total energy from the outgoing cool interior air. In winter, cold and dry outside air is preheated and humidified via the total energy from the outgoing warm interior air. Subsequently, less energy is needed for conditioning and ventilation, which means HVAC equipment can be downsized and that demand on municipal grids decreases.

By installing RenewAire ERVs, nail salons can enhance indoor air quality (IAQ) while generating major energy savings at the same time.

By installing RenewAire ERVs, nail salons can enhance indoor air quality (IAQ) while generating major energy savings at the same time.

The importance of adequate building ventilation is well known, but it’s even more significant in the post-COVID-19 environment. That’s because ventilation can remove contaminants from the indoor air, including viruses. Consequently, at RenewAire we’re seeing more interest in energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), but many questions exist. This white paper seeks to answer the most pressing inquiries and shed light on why ERVs are critical, especially post COVID-19. To safeguard occupant health from harmful indoor air contaminants post COVID-19, ERVs are the primary ingredient for enhancing both IAQ and energy savings. An ERV uses balanced airflows and recovers otherwise-expended total energy comprised of heat (sensible energy) and humidity (latent energy). In summer, warm and humid outside air is precooled and dehumidified via the total energy from the outgoing cool interior air. In winter, cold and dry outside air is preheated and humidified via the total energy from the outgoing warm interior air. Ultimately, ERVs are the best choice for providing increased and balanced ventilation while also cutting energy consumption. ERVs are exactly what structures of every type and size need right now to establish safer indoor environments for their occupants.