Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) Field Test Project

The Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment,and Energy (TxAIRE) Institute

ERV technology permits significant increases in the introduction of outdoor ventilation air at a fraction of the cost of convention mechanical ventilation systems. It does this by recovering the energy associated with exhaust air by transferring that energy to the incoming ventilation air stream. In the winter, room temperature exhaust air preheats the incoming colder air from outside. In the summer, cool and dry indoor air pre-cools and removes humidity from the incoming outdoor air.

Through this project, TxAIRE intends to quantitatively assess both the performance and costs/cost savings associated with the installation of an ERV in a typical hot and humid climate.

The ERV “test house” occupants were complaining about odors, allergic reactions and reduced productivity prior to the ERV installation. Based upon air quality measurements gathered prior to and after ERV installation, different operating strategies and associated ERV operation costs will be acquired and compared to historical building baseline data. Occupant assessments of indoor environmental quality improvements will also be documented.

ERV technology permits significant increases in the introduction of outdoor ventilation air at a fraction of the cost of convention mechanical ventilation systems. It does this by recovering the energy associated with exhaust air by transferring that energy to the incoming ventilation air stream. In the winter, room temperature exhaust air preheats the incoming colder air from outside. In the summer, cool and dry indoor air pre-cools and removes humidity from the incoming outdoor air.