mini HRV questions

[Russ Weiser]

I'm looking for someone I could ask questions about HRVs.  I have a client that is interested in retrofitting an existing structure to Passive House standards, but would like to install the HRV in a cupola on the roof.  So I'm looking for information on the right HRV for the job.  Would need to be compact and not too tall.  The space it will be conditioning is approximately 900 SF.  Is there a mini HRV that would work?

Thanks, Russ

[Martha Rose]

The HRV needs to be inside of the conditioned envelope if it is going to do its job properly. Besides losing efficiency, it would become very cumbersome to deal with the modest amount of maintenance and filter changing, should it be located anywhere that is not easy to get to. A cupola sounds hard to get at and likely not in the heated envelope!

Martha

On Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 12:28 PM, Russ Weiser <rwe...@hkpa.com> wrote:

I'm looking for someone I could ask questions about HRVs.  I have a client that is interested in retrofitting an existing structure to Passive House standards, but would like to install the HRV in a cupola on the roof.  So I'm looking for information on the right HRV for the job.  Would need to be compact and not too tall.  The space it will be conditioning is approximately 900 SF.  Is there a mini HRV that would work?

Thanks, Russ

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[Linda Whaley]

Check out the little HRV that the fine folks at 475 sell.  I'll be looking at that one for the Passive Bunkhouse I am working on. http://www.foursevenfive.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=70_71_98_99&zenid=4539f88b04abae83b5920b330b199d7b

Sent from the land of make believe.

On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:28 PM, Russ Weiser <rwe...@hkpa.com> wrote:

I'm looking for someone I could ask questions about HRVs.  I have a client that is interested in retrofitting an existing structure to Passive House standards, but would like to install the HRV in a cupola on the roof.  So I'm looking for information on the right HRV for the job.  Would need to be compact and not too tall.  The space it will be conditioning is approximately 900 SF.  Is there a mini HRV that would work?

Thanks, Russ

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[Adam Cohen]

There are some through the wall units that can do about 40cfm in europe - Paul makes one and Viking House - none are approved for US market, I dont know if CA will accept EU certs

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Adam Cohen
Certified Passivhaus Consultant - North America and Europe

Registered Architect, LEED AP, NAHB Green Professional

Design/Builder of the First US Passivhaus Public School Building

2012 VSBN Green Designer of the Year

Structures Design/Build, LLC
5104 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, VA 24018

Web site: www.structuresdb.com
Passivhaus information: http://www.passivehousedesign.us/

More Passivhaus info: http://www.viking-house.us/

540.774.4800 (office)
540.989.7062 (fax)

[David]

Hi Russ,

Here’s a short list of HRV’s that were found to be particularly effective-and qualified for Oregon’s Residential Tax credit (RETC).

Zehnder	CA 350
Am Aldes	200 SRD
Broan/Nutone	Guardian HRV 200H
Bryant	HRVBBLVU1150-B
Bryant	ERVBBLHU1200-B
Lennox	HRV3-195
Lifebreath	200 MAX
Lifebreath	300DCS
Lifebreath	195 ECM
Lifebreath	155 ECM
Renewaire	EV200
Rheem/Ruud	84-HRV-200
Ultimate Air	RecoupAerator 200DX
Trent Metals Ltd.	Summeraire SHRV180ED
Venmar	AVS 2.0 Constructo
Venmar	AVS HRV EKO 1.5

 

Excellent performance

Very good performance

Good performance

Fair performance

Poor performance

Very poor performance

 

(I am hoping that the color codes come through so as to discern which unit performs well and which one not.  I would be happy to send you the excel spreadsheet on this for further clarification…)

Here’s a link you might find of interest which test several dozen units- http://www.oregon.gov/energy/CONS/pages/res/tax/hrvlist.aspx

And here is a link for forms to attain the $150-$450 rebates for qualifying units in Oregon. http://www.oregon.gov/energy/CONS/Pages/res/tax/HVAC_ERV-HRV.aspx

I recently purchased and installed a FANTECH FLEX 100 for an 800 sq ft cottage.  It has done an excellent job at reducing the interior relative humidity by 10-20% and for bringing in fresh air without losing all the heat.  It is a fairly compact unit, but needs to be installed in conditioned space.  The controls are still being debugged, so I hesitate to recommend this unit at the moment.  As Martha mentioned, you will to have fairly regular access to the unit for filter cleaning and inspection (every 3 months).

I have found material costs between $1K and $2K and installation of four mandays.

Hope that helps,

 Best of luck,

David

David Burdick

Professional Engineering (PE) Mechanical License  # 26503

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) License # 19102

Certified Passive House Consultant  License # 1397
Earth Harmony Habitats™
4917 SE Aldercrest Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97222-4757

 

Tel: (+1) 503 654 2070
email: Da...@earthharmonyhabitats.org
website: www.earthharmonyhabitats.org

[Russ Weiser]

Thanks for all your comments.  I'll follow up on the information that you all sent on mini HRVs.  By the way, the "cupola" location of the HRV is the Owners idea. It would be in the conditioned space.  I tried to dissuade him from having the unit in a location that is not easy to get access to, and will continue to try.  One of the reasons I wanted to look at specific units and their space requirements is that I think think once he sees how big the cupola would need to be, he will reconsider installation in a closet off the main space.

Cheers, Russ

On Wednesday, November 21, 2012 12:28:02 PM UTC-8, Russ Weiser wrote:

[David Burdick]

The Fantech is about 21" x 28" x 16 " deep.  Pretty compact, and suggested to be run in conditioned space.e

cheers,
David

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