ASHRAE Journal - December 2021 - 81

Increase Ventilation
with Energy Recovery
INCREASED
VENTILATION
BENEFITS
n the COVID-19 environment,
indoor air quality (IAQ) is even more
critical because a buildup of indoor
virus aerosols can threaten occupants.
Indoor spaces must be well ventilated to
protect occupant health and safety. This is
especially true with the growing adoption
of air-sealing methodologies for structures
of every type.
The best way to increase ventilation is to
use an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV).
An ERV uses balanced airfl ows and
recovers otherwise-wasted total energy to
precondition outdoor air coming inside:

In summer, warm/humid outdoor air
is precooled/dehumidifi ed via the total
energy recovered from the outgoing cool
interior air.

In winter, cold/dry outdoor air is
preheated/humidifi ed via the total energy
recovered from the outgoing warm
interior air.
The result is less energy needed for
conditioning and ventilation, which cuts
costs and downsizes HVAC equipment.
I
droplets (not via surface transmission).
Without ventilation, airborne aerosols
concentrate over time. Consequently,
with adequate and continuous ventilation,
aerosols and CO2 are diluted, lessening
their intensity.
Cognizant Authorities Recommend
Increased Ventilation
Leading organizations agree that
ventilation is essential for healthier
buildings, especially in the COVID-19
environment. For example, the CDC
recommends using multiple mitigation
strategies, including better building
ventilation, to lower the risk of exposure.
A few certifi cations for higher-performing
buildings have emerged recently that
prioritize occupant health and safety. IAQ
ranks as a top criterion:

The WELL Building Standard™
version 2 (WELL v2™): Created by the
International WELL Building Institute,
WELL v2™ certifi es spaces that
advance human health and wellbeing.
Within this certifi cation, the WELL v2™
Air concept aims to achieve high levels
of IAQ across a building's lifetime. A
critical component for reaching this goal
is ventilating above minimum code. For
example, exceeding outdoor air supply
rates described in ASHRAE 62.1-2010
by either 30% or 60% provides 1 or
2 certifi cation points. Another option
would be demand control ventilation to
max. of 900 ppm CO2 for 1 point or 750
ppm for 2 points.
HE1XRT ERV
Create Healthier & Safer Spaces
People consume about 33 pounds of air,
compared to two pounds of food and four
pounds of water daily. Because we breathe
in so much air, IAQ has a tremendous
impact on occupant health. Additionally,
the EPA found that indoor air is typically
2-5 times-and occasionally 100 times-
more polluted than outdoor air.
The Solution to Indoor Air Pollution
is Dilution
The CDC found that the main infection
route for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing
COVID-19, is exposure to respiratory
Fitwel: Created by the CDC and the U.S.
General Services Administration, Fitwel
certifi es buildings that strengthen health
and wellbeing. An IAQ policy with
regular ventilation is a vital aspect.
The market now demands higherperforming
buildings, and standards are
evolving to keep up. One example is the
forthcoming ASHRAE 62.1, Section
42 on " Enhanced Indoor Air Quality in
Commercial and Institutional Buildings. "
It's still under review, but once approved
it will recommend exceeding minimum
requirements for enhancing IAQ.

For more information, visit:
www.renewaire.com.
*All data pertains to a RenewAire HE2XINH ERV when compared to conventional exhaust equipment at 1,500 CFM of OA in Minnesota using DX cooling
and gas heat. Future energy costs calculated based on current energy costs.
Better
Health
Improved
Cognitive
Function
Increased
Productivity
Reduced
Viral Spread
RENEWAIRE
ERV BENEFITS*
Up to 70% drop
in OA Heating & Cooling
Loads results in:
Cut peak
demand,
downsized
HVAC equipment, and lower
capital equipment costs.
65%
reduction in
ventilation
energy costs year after year.
Short Payback
Competitive pricing
and sizable HVAC
energy savings
mean a short payback. The
HE2XINH ERV's payback is
only 1.75 years.

http://www.renewaire.com

ASHRAE Journal - December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - December 2021