Ventilation Upgrade: ERV Core Replacement after 8 Years of Continuous Ventilating in a Tiny House

[@thewakersci]

Great job all around!

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

Watching one of the channels I watch about narrow boats... I spotted an interesting thing they are using over there. They have a very small HRV unit for those boats. Not sure if there is an ERV version but It is interesting for RV use etc. I was looking at a cheap import HRV (I know) to install out in my shop to help keep the shop air cleaner than it is. A big unit would actually work great for the amount of gunk in there but they are pricey units. It would be nice to exchange air without loosing so much cool air when it's 110* here. Right now I have a 6" fan that I use to add ventilation when making a mess. Better than nothing but not enough.

[@HomePerformance]

Interesting find

[@whymindsetmatters]

I would like you to design the MEP system for my custom travel camper

[@HomePerformance]

Happy to, book your first session at: buildingperformanceworkshop.com/video-consulting

[@tonyhsu3269]

Thanks for putting this together. I am planning a gut rehab of an 18-unit multi-family tenement building in NYC. Each unit is only about 400-500 sqft. I plan to replace the central gas boiler with individual unit heat pump, rip out the wall and add close-cell insulation, and replace the windows. Do you think this will get to the 2 ACH threshold you mentioned in other video for the need for ERV? Do Broan or Renewaire still make small ERV suitable for small spaces? Which model would you choose if you have to replace your tinylab ERV now? thanks

[@johnhaller5851]

With 8 feet walls, that's 4000 cubic feet, so 60 CFM would get 1 ACH. The other question is what do you do for cooking smoke, and associated makeup air? The other issue is getting the ERV vents far enough apart both on the inside and outside of each unit. I'm thinking a consultation with Corbett might be your best bet. It would be cheaper than a mistake you have to fix later.

[@carloslemos6919]

If water vapor passes through the membrane of an ERV, does CO2 and other air contaminants also do the same?

[@HomePerformance]

No. See this past Monday’s chemistry vid

[@GoPappy419]

I enjoy your technical assessment and opinions regarding efficient home building and maintenance. I do have a question regarding ERV‘s in general. I will be building an ICF home of about 1500 ft.² for my wife and I and will be trying to achieve a very tight home in the process. I’m looking for your opinion regarding which brand of ERV system you would recommend. There are so many to choose from and the reviews are all over the place as to which one would be the best for my application. Being in maintenance all my life my focus as you can imagine would be the ease of maintaining secondly would be the cost of ownership. I know the initial cost upfront for a good quality unit is not cheap which I do understand. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.

[@HomePerformance]

I recommend the Broan AI Series ERVs, or Renewaire Premium lines lately. Thanks for following!

[@nedunonnyp704]

Hello, Where and how were you able to obtain the Replacement ERV Core? I've been Watching your Videos Very helpful. But I'm having several tiny issues with My Unit. I bought it to remove odors in My house because I'm terribly been sick when I'm at home. I'm suspecting the Flooring in My living room is releasing chemicals that Might be making Me sick, So, I was hoping that using these Air Exchanger Devices to Replace the Air in the House might help. I have it temporarily installed in My top floor where the Kitchen, Haven't done any cooking in the Past 6Months. But, for whatever reason I'm having the Same Odors that I'm trying to get rid of come through the Fresh Air Supply port. Mostly Food Odors and Probably the Chemical Odors too (Possibly Odors Stuck on Furniture). But that shouldn't be.. ? I'm thinking It might be due to the ERV Core being Paper material which has the ability to retain and transfer odors the same time as the temperature exchange is occurring. I have the AI Series B150E75NT Unit. Since the Shell and controls are the same the only thing different are just the cores. I've been thinking Of Switching to an HRV Core, Since it's Metal, It shouldn't transfer/exchange Odors like an ERV Core.? But, I don't know where/or how I can get Just an HRV Core. I've searched everywhere online, Even Looked on Broan's website to no Luck. Humidity is not an Issue for us where I live so I'm sure with HRV Core I should be fine.

[@HomePerformance]

Just call Broan support for a replacement core, BUT you should watch this first: Home Ventilation SIDE EFFECTS: Ozone, HRV vs ERV, NOx, and UV Disinfection with Michael Link kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn3aeaCcmdyCb9U I suspect your cooking is not exhausted and is spiking all the materials in your home with the contaminants, perhaps.

[@ryansoo4000]

Hi Corbett, great video! If you know your ERV is going to die one day and you only have so much space available to install a new one why not do a hunt for a replacement now? I bet someone has the same Broan ERV sitting in a box somewhere that they never used and want to sell.

[@HomePerformance]

It’s an ok machine, but not a great one. Rather wait and get an EC motorized, digital readout when it comes along any year now.