HVAC opinion - might be too much info but might help understand

CalvinOlson777

We want to improve the air quality in our 2,400 sq ft Minnesota home. Several contractors and HVAC over the last few years have mentioned the need for a air exchange after significant remodeling (windows, insulation etc) which I'm told has made our home very air tight.

We had a recent HVAC company recommend a Broan B160E65RS 150 CFM ERV. We have hot water heat on first and basement and in the attic AC unit and ductwork in the first floor ceiling for the first floor only.

I've included 3 images.
1) is the sketch of the ERV and the duct runs the HVAC contractor recommends. This HVAC company said that all we need to circulate the air in our home is to have 1 air exhaust out in a closet on the second floor
2) engineer drawing of 1st floor (in pink is the area from sketch ERV) in blue is the area of the house where the air is circulating
3) engineer drawing on basement. (in pink is the area from sketch ERV) in blue is the area of the house where the air is circulating

The cost is $ for product and labor. I'm wondering if only having 1 exhaust in a closet on the first floor just above the ERV and the fresh air intake in the basement is enough to cycle the air in my home.

Thank you in advance for any help.

CalvinOlson777

!

Jamie Hall

In answer to your direct question -- no. You need to both distribute the supply air to-- and collect return air from -- all the areas of your house.

CalvinOlson777

Jamie, Thank you. Agree, seemed like too simple of a solution for this system to work well

pecmsg

I prefer a whole house dehumidifier over a ERV. 
ERV’s do nothing for RH. 

Jamie Hall

pecmsg said:

I prefer a whole house dehumidifier over a ERV. 
ERV’s do nothing for RH. 

Um... true, since ERVs do recover the moisture from the building. That's what differentiates ERVs, which recover latent heat, from HRVs, which only recover sensible heat.

Now. That said, I do not ever recommend ERVs to address air quality -- because they also recover almost all of the assorted compounds in the air which degrade air quality. Yes, their energy efficiency is better -- but that's not why you have air exchange.

leonz

Orec air cleaners work very well too.

Steamhead

@CalvinOlson777 , we do not discuss pricing on this forum. See:

https://heatinghelp.com/forum-user-manual

You need to edit your post and remove the pricing info. Now.