SYSTEM LAYOUT
Due to continuing product development, specifications are subject to change without notice
EV130_200_300Man_Mar13.docx
134777_012
Revised 03/2013
2013 RenewAire LLC
Page 3
Exhaust & Outside Air Ducts
The Exhaust Air Duct and the Outside Air Duct connect the
unit to the outside. Flexible insulated duct is typically used.
See Table under “Duct Sizes”, below
Inside Ductwork System
For houses without ducted heating or cooling
systems – see Schematic (B):
In most houses one or two fresh air grilles in a central part of
the house provide effective distribution of the fresh air into the
home, particularly when the stale exhaust air is picked up at
several points. Because the fresh air is usually somewhat
cooler than the household air, the fresh air supply grilles
should be located in a traffic area like a hallway or stairway
rather than in a sitting area.
If you want to get fresh air into specific rooms with high
occupancy, you can split up the fresh air supply.
For houses with forced-air heating and cooling
systems – see Schematics (A), (C) and (D):
Most units are installed with the fresh air duct connected
directly to a return duct for the main heating and cooling
system. Be careful to connect the fresh air duct at least three
feet from the return plenum to minimize suction from the
furnace blower. A connection closer to the furnace may result
in unbalanced flow and associated problems.
For installations that collect stale air from specific
rooms in the home – for example, Schematics (A)
and (B):
Locate stale air return grills (RA) in rooms where moisture
and odors are generated: bathrooms, the kitchen, and perhaps
other areas where contaminants are generated such as in the
home workshop. Return grills in these other areas may be
dampered so that they can be shut off when not in use. A
central location such as a hallway is also acceptable but won't
clear humidity and odors from baths and kitchens as rapidly.
Locate stale air return grills (RA) near the ceiling on inside
walls. Stale air returns are usually easiest to install in interior
partitions. Put them in the ceiling if that is easier.
Stale Air Return Grill Sizes (8” round on EV300)
Bathroom
4" X 10" or 6" X 10" - 40 to 60 sq. in.
Kitchen
6" X 10" or 60 sq. in.
CAUTION
DO
NOT
PLACE
ANY
STALE
AIR
RETURNS
IN
GARAGES.
Can an ERV be used to ventilate bathrooms?
A RenewAire ERV can be used as a central
exhaust system in
place of bathroom exhaust fans. Tie a grill in each bathroom
directly back to the ERV – see Schematic (A). A successful
installation should provide at least 50 CFM of exhaust per
moisture producing bathroom. When used for bathroom
exhaust, the EV130 should be used for no more than two
bathrooms, the EV200 for up to four bathrooms and the
EV300 for up to six bathrooms. Install a control in each
bathroom ventilated by the ERV (see Secondary Operating
Controls, below).
For houses where radon is a concern:
The first line of defense against radon should always be
techniques that prevent the entry of radon into the home, such
as under-slab suction, vented perimeter drainage, and crack
sealing. However, if moderate levels of radon continue to be
present, it is important that the unit slightly pressurize the
basement
, not de-pressurize the basement
.
Installation of this unit for radon mitigation is beyond the
scope of this manual.
Consult a radon mitigation professional.
Duct Sizes
Duct Minimum Sizes and Type
Exhaust Air & Outside Air
(EA & OA)
6" round insulated duct (8”
round for EV300)
8” round insulated duct may be
used to maintain maximum
airflow
Fresh Air & Stale Air
(FA & RA)
6" round or 8" oval rigid
un-insulated
All ducts from unit to house in unconditioned spaces like
attics and crawl spaces MUST BE INSULATED.
Controls
For an installation in which the ERV should run continuously
in order to provide the required ventilation rate for the home,
no controls are needed. However, in most installations,
control over the unit operation is desired and this is best
provided by a
RenewAire Percentage Timer Control (PTL
or FM)
.
Percentage timers (PTL or FM controls) may be located
anywhere that is convenient. A typical location for either
control is next to the home’s thermostat. Percentage timers
operate the ERV to provide regular background ventilation of
the home.
ERV installations that pull stale air from specific rooms, such
as bathrooms, should have
RenewAire Push-button (PBL)
Controls
in those rooms. The secondary operating controls
allow the system to be turned on from various locations in the
house.
