Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) News & Trends

The St. Lucie County School District, located 40 miles north of Palm Beach on the east coast of Florida, was faced with the need to upgrade the HVAC systems in five school buildings. Two elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school were built in 1989 when the building code requirement for outdoor air ventilation was 5 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per person for a total of 50,000 cfm for all five schools. By the mid 1990s, building codes tripled outdoor air supply requirements to 1...

Registration is now open for the 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference, slated to take place from February 9th to February 11th, 2021. The convenient online format of the conference will allow for global participation with a group of the world’s renowned presenters delivering timely and useful industry content. 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Conference “ASHRAE’s Virtual Winter Conference will include three-days packed with learning and live discussions from top experts,” said 2020...

The nationwide lockdown in November, which was necessary due to the high number of infections in the second corona wave, has been accompanied by considerable restrictions. It is therefore all the more important to continue to secure the indispensable work in public institutions and especially, teaching in schools. In order to provide a decisive solution to the problem, Viessmann has developed a new air ventilation unit, the Vitovent 200-P. This is a unique hybrid ventilation unit that provides...

Panasonic, a foremost provider of ventilation and indoor air solutions to the building industry, introduced the new WhisperWarmDC™ bathroom ventilation fan. To deliver healthy and warm air to chilly bathrooms while improving indoor air quality, the WhisperWarm DC fan has a powerful and intelligent ECM motor combined with SmartFlow™ and Pick-A-Flow™ technology. The 1600-watt heating element enables builders and remodelers to enjoy easy, code-compliant installations, while deli...

The 14th edition of Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator study surveyed 150 commercials, institutional, and industrial facility executives in the U.S. in September 2020. The COVID-19 pulse survey included questions on coronavirus-related improvements, investments, and impacts. Flexibility, Health, and Safety Drive With the pandemic, facility managers have new concerns about building health, changing their motivation for building investments. Increasing building flexibility to respond...

Axiom Solutions are a professional building consultancy and project managers offering high quality project work through to design and build construction solutions for clients. Adcock was tasked with a challenging project from a long-standing customer looking to install Air Conditioning, utilizing heat recovery VRF systems and Heat Recovery Ventilation systems for fresh air supply throughout a 5 story building in Hatton Garden, London. The project had a limited available footprint for condensers...

The Visual Arts Building (VAB) at the University of Iowa is a marvel of both aesthetic design and mechanical engineering. Six years in the making and completed in October 2016, the award-winning, 126,000 square-foot structure blends the artistry of the renowned Steven Holl Architects (New York) with an array of innovative mechanical systems that smoothly integrate with Holl’s aesthetics while meeting the numerous, industrial-like requirements of this challenging space. Thanks to these mec...

Sustainability is one of the key pillars of the Plymovent vision, mission and strategy. In the past years, they have taken several initiatives to comply with this principle. In 2019, Plymovent became a true energy neutral company by installing over 1600 solar panels on the roof of its Global Head Office and Logistics Center in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. The entire production location in Thailand was already equipped with solar panels earlier. Plymovent becoming an even greener company In Novem...

Spirit of Adventure offers travelers a boutique luxury experience at sea, with its world-class speciality restaurants and spacious cabins. The new-build Spirit of Adventure is equipped with Halton Marine’s HVAC solutions, including a range of energy-efficient galley hoods and reliable fire safety equipment. Spirit of Adventure, the second new-build cruise ship for Saga Cruises, was delivered on September 29, 2020. Spirit of Adventure is described as a boutique luxury cruise ship that incl...

As children are going back to school and employees return to the workplace, indoor air quality has become a top priority. In order to prevent economic collapse, businesses must be able to safely reopen. Unfortunately, most building HVAC systems are not equipped to circulate clean air into occupied spaces fast enough to prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19. Additional air purification systems and environmental upgrades are necessary to create safe working spaces as most Americans spend 90...

IMI Hydronic Engineering, the provider of innovative and reliable HVAC solutions, has selected Confirmit Horizons as the platform to support its new customer experience (CX) program. IMI Hydronic Engineering is working with Confirmit to build a series of surveys that will deliver a clear picture of the customer experience across key touchpoints throughout the customer journey. Surveys will be automatically triggered through an integration with the company’s CRM system. Supporting survey...

American Coolair has developed the FGBC52-PC fan featuring its new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cone. HDPE is a high-strength thermoplastic polymer. Because it is lighter than traditional fiberglass and UV, the AMC FGBC52-PC is an economical option for ventilating agricultural buildings when paired with an interior wall shutter. FGBC52PC fan features  The FGBC52PC uses American Coolair’s unique static shaft and bearing housing which allows the blade hub to also serve as the dri...

Savanna, a vertically-integrated real estate investment manager, owner/operator, and developer, has, through an affiliate, awarded Carrier heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) modernization project for the One Court Square building in Long Island City, a property managed by Cushman & Wakefield. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a foremost global provider of healthy, safe, and sustainable building and cold chain solutions. Systems To Install   Carrier will...

Year after year, air pollution caused by haze, smog, and exhaust gas continues to worsen in Malaysia. In order to avoid polluted air, people go about their lives keeping the windows closed. In light of the challenging situation, Panasonic Corporation has introduced the Quality Air for Life (QAFL) Solution, which creates a comfortable environment with clean air even while the windows remain shut. An average person breathes in 18 kg of air each day. This is 60% of the substances that one consumes...

Viessmann heating, cooling and ventilation products have been selected by PERI GmbH, one of the suppliers of formwork and scaffolding systems, as well as civil engineering solutions, for Germany’s first 3D-printed house. Located in the North Rhine-Westphalian town of Beckum, the two-storey, 160 m² single-family home is currently under construction. The 3D printing process has already been applied to the walls of the house. A nozzle applies special concrete in layers. The print head m...

Recommendations from CDC and ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Regarding Ventilation: Increase the percentage of outdoor air, (e.g using economizer modes of HVAC operations) potentially as high as 100%, increasing the total airflow supply to occupied spaces. Continue operation of the ERV component appropriate to climate conditions. Dilution of contaminants, including infectious aerosols, by outdoor air ventilati,on is an integral IAQ strategy in ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Ventilation for Acceptable Indo...

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced that the construction of its SUSTIE net zero energy building (ZEB) test facility, located on the premises of the company's Information Technology R&D Center in Kamakura, Japan, will be completed on October 14, 2020. In line with the company's support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the facility will facilitate accelerated development and testing of increasingly common ZEB-compliant energy -conservation technologies, as well as contribu...

The PARASOL EX family’s comfort modules belong to Swegon’s range for suspended installation. The modules are designed to provide optimal room comfort. PARASOL EX launched an improved version with several simplifications and with shorter delivery times. All variants have the same design module. The height of the design cover is the same regardless of which PARASOL base module is chosen. The pipe kit is also the same in all variants, which makes dimensioning easier. The right and left...

Johnson Controls, the front-runner for smart and sustainable buildings, announces that it will launch new tailored services that provide customizable solutions to its customers around the globe. These new service offerings will leverage Johnson Controls new OpenBlue technology to power remote and contactless services, in combination with its 130-years of expertise in green building services. New Services Features The new services suite, available starting from October 2020, integrates touchle...

Johnson Controls, a front-runner for smart and sustainable buildings, has announced the release of the new color ES Touch Screen Display (ES TSD), the latest addition to its expansive fire and life safety product portfolio. A modernized upgrade to the company’s Simplex 4100ES and 4010ES fire alarm control units, the ES TSD offers an intuitive operational experience for all users. With a large touch screen, enhanced graphics, and support for a wide range of languages, the ES TSD provides...

The HVAC system is one of the hardest working aspects of a home. It provides thermal comfort accompanied by indoor air quality. Depending on outdoor conditions, the outdoor air is drawn into the buildings and heated or cooled before it is distributed into the occupied spaces. A properly functioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is very critical to maintaining proper temperature, especially in Canada given the variable climate and harsh winters. Factors affecting...

It is common knowledge that a geothermal heating and cooling system provides a school with one of the most energy efficient climate control options available. What tends to be overlooked is that there are several geothermal system options available, which offer varying degrees of cost savings. Bard offers a type of geothermal system that provides the climate control and ventilation that a classroom deserves and maximizes cost savings. This was the challenge recently posed to Bill Stalker, a Mar...

Nicknamed the gateway to Southern California, the city of Ontario, as well as neighboring city Montclair, is home to the third largest elementary school district in California, the Ontario-Montclair School District (OMSD). Founded in 1884, the district also incorporates portions of the city of Upland, and unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, comprising 24,000 students in 26 elementary schools and six middle schools. Ontario-Montclair School District Ontario-Montclair School District...

Living in the McLean County Unit District No. 5 region ensures one thing that children will receive one of the finest educations available. With one of its high schools ranked in the Top 50 Public High Schools in Illinois and listed in U.S. News & World Report’s Nation’s Top Schools, Unit District No. 5 is the place where excellence in education takes on a new meaning. Replacing antiquated HVAC systems But excellence doesn’t come without a price. In the current economic e...

In the spring of 1999, Wilkes County, North Carolina had a difficult and challenging problem to contend with. With an ever-increasing student population the school system faced the daunting task of building four new middle schools to improve its countywide school facilities. Committed to excellence in teaching and to the belief that all students can learn, Wilkes County Schools strive for student success through a partnership of school, home and community. Building on funds already allocated b...

One won’t find bustling cities or lots of traffic in Montgomery County and that is just the way residents like it. Montgomery County is located in south-central North Carolina, an hour drive from Charlotte and just under two hours from Raleigh and Fayetteville. Eighty percent of the county comprises the geologically pristine Uwharrie National Forest, which provides a beautiful, scenic backdrop for quiet, country living. With children under 18 accounting for just over 25% of the local popu...

As every year, the Executive Board of the Wilo Group has invited executives to an international top management meeting. For the first time in Wilo’s history, this meeting is taking place as a hybrid event, due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. “We are pleased that we are now connected via live stream to over 100 colleagues from 35 countries, across different time zones,” said Oliver Hermes, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Wilo Group. Wilo top...

Newberry, South Carolina is a town with a rich historic personality. Settled in 1745 by Scotch-Irish, English and German immigrants, Newberry became a leading cotton market with the coming of the railroad. Today, Newberry has retained and preserved much of its original small town charm. Its downtown business district and residential streets are lined with historical buildings and Antebellum homes - there are, in fact, several blocks in which every building is listed on the National Register of...

Manufacturers continue to make improvements in heat-pump technology, including higher efficiencies, contractor-friendly designs, and innovative extras like two-stage compressors that allow them to run at lower speeds and cut down energy use and homeowners’ bills. Below is a sampling of six of the latest products to hit the heat pump market. Nortek Global HVAC introduced the W-Series of air conditioning and heat pump equipment for residential and light commercial applications, completing i...

A new report from the Carbon Trust, ‘Heat pump retrofit in London’, shows how heat pumps will have a critical role in tackling emissions from London’s buildings and delivering the Mayor’s 2030 net zero ambitions. The report, commissioned by the Mayor of London, includes detailed analysis of the potential to retrofit heat pumps across a range of existing buildings in London and recommends an action plan for scaling up energy efficiency and heat pump retrofit across the ca...