Last year I upgraded my 20 year old ERV to a Broan self-adjusting, auto-balancing unit (V210E75RS) that constantly measures and equalizes intake and outflow air pressure with ~70-83% heat transfer efficiency - summer and winter. I installed it myself, and also got rid of the old flexduct - which had accumulated an unbelievable amount of insects and debris in the intake line - and used rigid ductwork instead to provide better airflow. The system is nice because you can adjust the airflow anywhere within the allowable range with three presets. I am finding that there are no longer any air balancing issues with the wood stove operating - like buildup of negative pressure in the house and infiltration of cold air through cracks and windows in other parts of the house. It plays nice with my high efficiency central heat pump. So the house is warmer, and peace of mind is much improved to know that any possible CO2 and radon contamination are under control.
Auto-balancing ERV plays nice
- Thread starter drsmith01
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Is this the unit?
Broan B210E75R
www.sylvane.com
Broan B210E75R
Broan B210E75R AI Series 210 CFM Energy Recovery Ventilator
The Broan B210E75R is an energy recovery ventilator that offers 210 CFMs of airflow, making it great for larger homes. Free Shipping.
www.sylvane.com
Yes, with side ports. I got it from Ferguson. I wouldn't have needed the 210 for my 1900sq ft home, but it is more efficient than the smaller units and I wanted enough capacity to cover the basement as well (with the ductwork configured so that basement air and living space air don't mix).
EbS-P
Minister of Fire
That looks like a good solution. I need to either redo my whole house dehumidifier to take some fesh air in or think about one of these.
ERVs transfer some water vapor between the fresh air intake and the exhaust air, They don't really dehumidify, but can be set to run in exhaust mode periodically to control humidity to a certain degree. The good thing is that they help maintain the humidity level in the house at a constant level. In my house, the central HVAC system does most of the work in controlling humidity (humidifying in winter and dehumidifying in summer), but I still need supplemental dehumidification in the basement because it is not served by the HVAC system.
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