RenewAire EV Premium Series Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilator

Product Overview

This document outlines the CSI specifications for the RenewAire EV Premium series of Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) designed for indoor installation. The series includes models EV Premium S, EV Premium SH, EV Premium M, EV Premium MH, EV Premium L, EV Premium LH, EV Premium X, and EV Premium XH. The CSI MasterFormat category is 23 72 00.

RenewAire, LLC. grants a limited, non-exclusive license to use this document for preparing written product specifications. All information is provided as-is, without warranty. Users should visit www.renewaire.com to ensure they have the most current version of this document.

For product data, including unit descriptions, catalogs, and instruction manuals, visit: www.renewaire.com/products/offering

The ERV unit is typically installed as part of a building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. For questions, contact your local authorized RenewAire representative via www.renewaire.com/contact/renewaire-rep.

Section 23 72 00 - Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilator

1.1 Summary

• This section covers air-to-air ERVs for indoor installation.
• The ERV must be a single-piece unit transferring sensible and latent energy using static plate core technology.
• The term "ERV" may be used for brevity.

1.2 Related Sections

• Contract drawings, general provisions of Division 01, Division 23, HVAC specifications, and common work requirements for HVAC apply.
• Section 23 09 00: Controls and Instrumentation.

1.3 Submittals

• Product Data: For each ERV type/model, include:
  • Certified performance data from the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) for supply air (SA) and exhaust air (EA) at various external static pressures.
  • Dimensioned drawings showing front, side, and plan views, including duct connection locations and service clearances.
  • Estimated gross weight of each installed unit.
  • Filter types, quantities, and sizes.
  • Installation, Operation, and Maintenance (IOM) manual for each model.
  • Shop drawings for ERVs, including plans, elevations, sections, details, and connection details. Detail equipment assemblies, dimensions, weights, loads, required clearances, on-site assembly methods, components, and connection locations/sizes.
  • ERV operating and maintenance data.

1.4 Quality Assurance

• Source Limitations: Obtain ERV and all related components from a single manufacturer with at least 20 years of ERV manufacturing experience.
• Workmanship: Utilize experienced workers trained in the manufacturer's recommended installation methods.
• Core Warranty: The ERV core is warranted against manufacturing defects for ten (10) years from the date of purchase. The remainder of the unit is warranted for five (5) years.
• Testing: Manufacturer must provide proof of independent testing by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for flame spread index (FSI) not exceeding 25 and smoke developed index (SDI) not exceeding 50, meeting NFPA90A and NFPA90B standards. Test method is UL 723.
• Certifications:
  • ERV must be HVI certified under CSA 439, with heating and cooling tests demonstrating year-round energy recovery.
  • Unit must be UL 1812 listed for air-to-air heat exchangers.
  • Unit must meet commercial flammability requirements and not be labeled "For residential use only."

1.5 Coordination

• Coordinate the size and location of all building penetrations required for ERV installation and associated electrical systems.
• Coordinate construction sequence for plumbing, heating, ventilation, and electrical power.

Part 2 - Products

2.1 Manufacturers

• Available Manufacturers: RenewAire.
• Manufacturer must have been in business for at least 20 years and manufactured ERVs.

2.2 Fabricated Units

• The air-to-air ERV must be factory-assembled, featuring a fixed plate cross-flow heat exchanger with no moving parts. It should include a single-wall, insulated cabinet made of G90 galvanized steel, filter assemblies for supply and exhaust air, an enthalpy core, supply and exhaust fan assemblies, and an electrical control panel with all specified internal components and accessories factory-installed and tested. The unit should be ready for single-point high-voltage connection.
• The entire unit, excluding field-installed components, must be factory-assembled and tested.
• The ERV must use an integrated mounting flange and hanger bar system for installation on a structurally adequate surface, allowing for mounting in any orientation.
• The ERV must be equipped with pressure ports on the unit door and integrated adjustable airflow controls for balancing unit airflow.
• Airflow control adjustments must be factory-installed and tested.
• The ERV's onboard control center must allow for independent adjustment of high and low airflow for both supply and exhaust fans.
• The onboard control must allow for setting high and low airflow rates for supply and exhaust fans using easy-to-use adjustable airflow dials, clearly identified as either outdoor air or return air, and as high or low airflow.
• The airflow adjustment dial must allow for infinite adjustment of desired airflow for both supply and exhaust air.
• The ERV must provide a net airflow of 119 CFM for EV Premium S/SH, 210 CFM for EV Premium M/MH, 261 CFM for EV Premium L/LH, and 373 CFM for EV Premium X/XH at the supply air with an external static pressure of 0.4 inches w.g.
• Energy consumption: EV Premium S/SH at 1.82 CFM/watt, EV Premium M/MH at 2.68 CFM/watt, EV Premium L/LH at 2.81 CFM/watt, and EV Premium X/XH at 2.76 CFM/watt (all at nominal conditions tested by HVI).
• Sensible Heat Ratio (SHR): EV Premium S/SH at 51 CFM: 74%; EV Premium M/MH at 51 CFM: 81%; EV Premium L/LH at 59 CFM: 88%; EV Premium X/XH at 102 CFM: 78%.
• The ERV must be capable of transferring sensible and latent energy between air streams. Latent energy transfer must occur via direct water vapor transport without exposing the transfer media to stale then fresh air in successive cycles.
• The unit must operate continuously without requiring bypass, recirculation, preheating, or defrost cycles under normal operating conditions.
• Water vapor transfer must occur via molecular transport using hygroscopic resins, not through "porous plate" mechanisms. Fresh and exhaust air streams must always travel in separate passages, and air streams must not mix. Metallic separators and metallic core materials are not acceptable.
• Airflow through the ERV core must be laminar across the product's operating airflow range to prevent particle deposition within the energy exchange plate material.
• Unit power rating must be 120 volts and 60 Hz.
• Electrical supply for EV Premium S, M, L, and X units must be via a 34-inch cord; EV Premium SH, MH, LH, and XH units must be equipped with hardwired connections to mains voltage.

2.3 Cabinets

• Materials: Insulated, single-wall metal cabinet designed for internal component access for servicing.
• Energy Recovery Component: Must be a fixed plate, cross-flow type with no moving parts.
  • Enthalpy Core: Total enthalpy type, capable of transferring sensible and latent energy. Latent energy transfer via direct water vapor transport without exposing the transfer media to stale then fresh air. No condensate drain required. The core must be designed for cleaning and removal for maintenance.
  • Outer Casing: 22-gauge steel, pre-painted or powder-coated white, with rounded corners and zinc-plated screw fasteners.
  • Insulation: Cabinet walls and doors must be fully insulated with 1" expanded polystyrene foam, covered with a cleanable aluminum foil on all exposed surfaces.
  • Access Door: Must provide easy access to fans, ERV cores, and filters. Hinges and air-tight closed-cell foam gaskets are required. Doors must have air-tight compression seals using closed-cell foam gaskets.
  • Door Hinges: Lockable door hinges are required to allow installation in multiple orientations.
  • Pressure Ports: Door pressure ports with captive plugs must be provided for measuring traverse pressure, enabling accurate airflow measurement. Four pressure ports are required for balancing and airflow verification.
  • The unit must operate in winter and summer without generating condensate.
  • EV Premium S/SH, M/MH, and L/LH units must be equipped with factory-supplied 6"/8" round collars for duct connection. EV Premium X/XH units must be equipped with factory-supplied 8" oval collars for duct connection.
  • Frost Control: The ERV core must operate without condensation or frost under normal operating conditions (defined as outdoor temperatures above -10°F and indoor relative humidity below 40%). Occasional more extreme conditions should not affect normal operation, performance, or core durability. No condensate drain is permitted.

2.4 Fan Section

• Fan wheel type must be backward curved.
• Blower Assemblies: Must be statically and dynamically balanced and designed for continuous operation at maximum fan speed and power.

2.5 Motors

• Supply and exhaust fans must be Electronically Commutated (EC) motors with multi-speed capability as standard.

2.6 Unit Controls

• The unit must operate continuously without bypass, recirculation, preheating, or defrost cycles under normal operating conditions.
• The unit must operate continuously or intermittently in low airflow mode, with the ability to temporarily switch to high airflow mode.
• The unit must be equipped with a 24 VAC transformer and internal relay.
• The ERV operates in low airflow mode until one of the following triggers the ERV to operate in high airflow mode (airflow rates are set during startup and conditioning):
  • Occupancy sensor
  • Carbon dioxide sensor
  • IAQ sensor
  • Boost mode push-button
  • Proportional run time controller

2.7 Filter Section

• ERV cores must be protected by a MERV 8 rated polyester spun fiber disposable filter in both air streams.
• The ERV must accommodate a MERV 13 rated 1" thick pleated filter in the outdoor air stream.
• All filters must be accessible from the exterior of the unit.
• The ERV must accommodate a MERV 13 rated 1" thick disposable filter (shipped loose) in the outdoor air stream, to be installed after construction.

Part 3 - Execution

3.1 Examination

• Before installation, examine the site and conditions to ensure the location complies with installation tolerances and other factors affecting performance. Refer to the unit's operation manual.
• Examine the rough-in of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC installations for actual location and compliance with unit requirements. Refer to the unit's operation manual.
• Do not proceed with installation until all unsatisfactory conditions are corrected.

3.2 Installation

• Installation must comply with these written specifications, project drawings, manufacturer's installation instructions (in the manufacturer's instruction manual), best practices, and all applicable building codes.
• Install the unit with necessary clearances for servicing and maintenance.
• Locate, orient, and connect ducts according to AMCA, ASHRAE, and SMACNA guidelines. Provide necessary clearances for servicing as shown on drawings. Locate units away from critical noise areas.
• Use the factory-provided mounting flange to mount the unit on a structurally adequate surface, following manufacturer's installation manuals. Units can be mounted in any orientation.
• Provide flexible duct connections to the unit's duct flanges.
• To control radiated sound from the unit:
  • Provide acoustic treatment for mechanical room walls and ceilings.
• To control noise associated with the two blower outlets:
  • Use flexible, insulated ducts.
  • In noise-critical applications, increase duct size and consider using duct silencers.
• In all cases, incorporate industry best practices. Connections must be made according to the installation requirements specified above.
• Duct installation and connection requirements are specified in Division 23 of this document.
• Electrical installation requirements are specified in Division 26 of this document.
• All ducts must be designed, constructed, supported, and sealed in accordance with SMACNA HVAC duct construction standards and pressure classifications.
• Minimum, all exterior ductwork must be thermally insulated to levels appropriate for the local climate. A continuous vapor barrier must also be provided on both sides of the insulation.

3.3 Connections

• (Details on connections would follow here, but are not fully provided in the OCR text.)

3.4 Field Quality Control

• The contractor must inspect field-assembled components and equipment installation, including electrical and piping connections. Submit written results to the architect or engineer. Inspection must include a complete startup checklist, as per the manufacturer's instruction manual.

3.5 Startup Service

• The contractor must perform startup service. Refer to Division 23 "Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing" and comply with its provisions. Refer to the manufacturer's installation, operation, and maintenance manual for the startup procedure.
• Testing and balancing may only commence when 100% of the installation is complete and fully functional. Refer to the manufacturer's installation, operation, and maintenance manual for a table and formula to correlate core traverse pressure measurements with airflow through the core.
• Follow air testing and balancing procedures from the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) specific to energy recovery devices. Provide balancing reports to the owner's representatives.

3.6 Demonstration and Training

• The contractor must train the owner or owner's maintenance personnel on ERV adjustment, operation, and maintenance. Refer to Division 01 Closeout Procedures Section and Demonstration and Training.