Walk Through of the Panasonic Intelli-Balance 100 ERV

[@vincentveary175]

Excellent detailed video describing exactly what this mysterious device does. I've seen nothing else that is as informative and thorough on this product, including anything from Panasonic. They should be paying you. I have also subscribed to your channel. Thank you!

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

Thank you, and I would love to get paid by them 🙂

[@maryanne5077]

I'm really looking for how it works - the thinking behind the heat exchange. does it work differently in summer or winter? And, where to look for info on knowing what settings are right for home conditions (people, closed windows, etc).

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

I recommend an indoor air monitor and adjust as needed. In general, the humidity during winter will be higher than straight exhaust or supply ventilation (that's a good thing) and vice versa in the summer.

[@curtishammond3027]

Is there logic to adjusting supply/ exhaust air settings to reduce humidity in the summer?

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

I wouldn't consider an ERV to be a dehumidifier nor a humidifier. It should moderate latent moisture impacts. If you need to control humidity, dedicated equipment is better. However, ac unit might be sufficient to get you through the high humidity times.

[@livewellthy.yourlocalaccre6476]

Do the panasonic filters have carbon? To assist filtering smoke and odours?

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

No, they don't

[@livewellthy.yourlocalaccre6476]

Thank you. Do you think a diy carbon filter can be placed somehow?

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

@@livewellthy.yourlocalaccre6476 possibly you could try a variation of a Corsi-Rosenthal box . . .

[@bobsondugnutt7526]

Nice video. In a home with one bathroom and one kitchen, could this replace the need for vent fans? Or would the humidity load from showers/cooking end up causing chance of mold?

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

I'm conservative on this. I'd rather exhaust wet rooms with a dedicated exhaust fan. As far as the kitchen, I think a dedicated exhaust fan is the way to go.

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

@@zlmdragon. I use this ERV to supply and exhaust air for occupants. Bathroom exhaust is for moisture and smells. Kitchen exhaust is for cooking.

[@bobsondugnutt7526]

@@PioneerBuildersInc Thanks. There's no mention of separate bathroom/kitchen fans in the installation manual, just wondering about your experience with any mold issues.

[@purpleblueunicorn]

Yes, you can definitely use an EVR for bathrooms if it's running all the time and it's a lot more efficient. A lot of energy efficient homes do this. It's not as powerful as a well ducted bathroom fan, so your mirrors will fog, but it's going to prevent moisture accumulation and you can also boost it to max.

[@iatros786]

How do you like this unit compared to Broan or Zehnder devices? Are those worth the higher price? Any guidance on how to choose between the multiple manufacturers for a new build?

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

I don't have first hand experience with the Broan or Zehnder. I have examined a Broan and wasn't terribly impressed with the fit and finish, but take that with a grain of salt. The Zehnder are very efficient, but unless a person has the money and is in a more extreme environment, say climate zone 7, I don't know that I'd spend the extra money.

[@tomtillman]

Looks like you have it set up to use 4" ducts?

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

We always go with 6 inches. From looking at the unit and installation instructions, it doesn't appear that you take off the 4" adapter when using 6" ducts. It's a surprise to me, and I could be wrong

[@GenesisMuseum]

@@PioneerBuildersInc Can the adapters be removed so that the full 6" is available to the 6" duct. It seems odd for Panasonic to offer a 6" receptacle, with only a 4" permanent opening

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

I agree with the oddity, but the adapters seem to be permanent. I don't know the engineering behind it, but the flow section is very minute for that one area

[@GenesisMuseum]

Right. From your great video I can see the 4" dampers and 4" opening to the fans, so (assuming Panasonic did all this for a good reason) they must have offered 6" adapters to reduce the air restrictions for the long runs through the house, and found little advantage to having 6" openings/dampers in the unit itself.

[@thedudeintheback9114]

how do you stop the beeping? mine beeps every other hour or so 15-20 beeps. very annoying. Any help would be much appreciated.

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

Have you tried opening the door and closing it? I'd think it's the alert to check your filter. You could clean/replace the filter at the same time

[@thedudeintheback9114]

@@PioneerBuildersInc thanks guy. pressed the reset button. no more beeping. lol

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

@@thedudeintheback9114 yes!!

[@jay.s3473]

🙄 Absolutely impossible to find someone to explain the control setting.. I know how it works but what should the settings be in the summer, winter, humid days blah blah blah.... everyone just keeps beating around the bush sooooo frustrating 🤦‍♂️.

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

Buy an IAQ monitor and try different settings. Pressures are different throughout the year, and lifestyles are different. It should be adjusted to the fingerprint of your situation

[@rottweiler9535]

really, the in and out air 10ft apart? panasonic sells a duct that is slit inside and is within the same vent cap anly a few inches apart on the outside, so what makes you come up with that number of 10 ft apart?????????????????????????

[@PioneerBuildersInc]

Check the installation instructions.