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SECTION 23 72 00 - AIR-TO-AIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
PART 1 – GENERAL
1.1 SUMMARY
This section includes air-to-air energy recovery ventilators intended for indoor installation. For brevity, these units may be referred to as 'Energy Recovery Ventilator' (ERV).
1.2
General provisions and contract drawings, including general requirements of Division 01, specifications sections of Division 23, and common requirements for HVAC work, apply to the work specified in this section.
- Section 23 09 00: Controls and Instrumentation
1.3 DOCUMENTS TO BE FURNISHED
- Product Data: For each type or model of energy recovery ventilator, include: Unit performance data for supply and exhaust air, indicating system operating conditions. Enthalpy core performance data for summer and winter operation. Dimensioned drawings for each installation type, with isometric and plan views, indicating duct connections and maintenance clearance requirements. Estimated gross weight of each installed unit. Filter types, quantities, and sizes. Installation, Operation, and Maintenance (IOM) manual for each model.
- Documents for LEED Certification: Provide data for prerequisite E01: Documentation indicating compliance with ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010, Section 5 – 'Systems and Equipment'.
- Shop Drawings: For air-to-air energy recovery ventilators, include plans, elevations, sections, details, and connections related to other work. Detail equipment assemblies, indicating dimensions, weights, loads, required clearances, site assembly method, components, and location and size of each site connection.
- Air-to-air energy recovery ventilator operation and maintenance data.
1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE
- Source Restrictions: Procure air-to-air energy recovery ventilator with all components or accessories from a single manufacturer.
- For fabrication, installation, and testing, employ only workers who are thoroughly trained and experienced and knowledgeable of the required elements and manufacturer's recommended installation methods.
- The ERV core shall be warranted free from manufacturing defects and retain functional characteristics for ten (10) years from the date of purchase under normal use. The remainder of the unit shall be warranted free from manufacturing defects and retain functional characteristics for two (2) years from the date of installation under normal use.
- Manufacturer shall provide proof of independent core testing by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), verifying a maximum flame spread index (FSI) of 25 and a maximum smoke developed index (SDI) of 50, satisfying NFPA90A and NFPA 90B requirements for materials in a plenum treating air for duct systems. Test method shall comply with UL 723.
- Certifications: Energy recovery cores must be certified by a third-party agency according to AHRI Standard 1060. AHRI certifications must confirm published performance for airflow, static pressure, temperature, total efficiency, bypass air (OACF), and exhaust air leakage (EATR). Products not currently AHRI certified will not be accepted. OACF shall not exceed 1.02, and EATR shall be 0% of balanced airflow.
1.5 COORDINATION
- Coordinate size and location of all building penetrations required for each energy recovery ventilator and associated electrical systems.
- Coordinate the execution of associated plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work.
PART 2 – PRODUCTS
2.1 MANUFACTURERS
- Available Manufacturers: Subject to compliance with these specifications, manufacturers proposing products include, but are not limited to: RenewAire.
- Manufacturer shall have been in business for at least 10 years in the energy recovery ventilator manufacturing field.
2.2 FACTORY-FABRICATED UNITS
Air-to-air energy recovery ventilators shall be completely factory assembled, consisting of a fixed-plate cross-flow heat exchanger with no moving parts, a single-wall insulated cabinet of 20-gauge G90 galvanized steel, filter assemblies for supply and exhaust air, an enthalpy core, with all specified internal components and accessories installed and tested at the factory. The entire unit, except for site-installed components, shall be factory assembled and tested.
2.3 CABINET
- Materials: Insulated single-wall metal cabinet, fabricated for access to internal components for maintenance.
- Exterior Casing: 20-gauge galvanized steel (G90), complying with ASTM A653 for components not receiving a painted finish.
- Access doors shall be equipped with hinges and airtight closed-cell foam gaskets. Door pressure taps, with captive plugs, shall be provided for measuring traverse pressure to allow for accurate airflow measurement.
- The unit shall be factory equipped with duct flanges on all duct openings.
- Cabinet Insulation: Unit walls and doors shall be insulated with 1-inch thick material, 4-lb density, faced with aluminum foil and wire mesh. Fiberglass panel insulation, providing a cleanable surface and eliminating risk of fresh air exposure to fiberglass fibers, with a minimum R-value of 4.3 (hr-ft2-°F/BTU).
- Enthalpy Core: The energy recovery core shall be total enthalpy type, capable of transferring both sensible and latent heat. Latent energy transfer shall be accomplished by direct transfer of water vapor from one air stream to another, without exposing the transfer medium directly to exhaust air then fresh air. No condensate drain is permitted. The energy recovery core shall be designed and constructed for cleaning and removal for servicing. The core shall be warranted for ten years. Performance criteria shall comply with AHRI Standard 1060.
- Passive Frost Control: The ERV core shall operate without condensation or frosting under normal operating conditions (outdoor temperatures above -10°F and indoor relative humidity below 40%). Occasional extreme conditions shall not affect normal operation, performance, or durability. No condensate drain is permitted.
2.7 FILTER SECTION
The ERV shall be equipped with 2-inch thick disposable pleated filters [MERV 8][MERV 13] in the outdoor and exhaust air streams. All filters shall be accessible from the exterior of the unit.
PART 3 – EXECUTION
3.1 EXAMINATION
- Prior to installation, examine the area and conditions to verify location accuracy and compliance with installation tolerances and other factors affecting unit performance. Refer to the unit's operation and installation manual.
- Verify rough-in of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems for actual location and compliance with unit requirements. Consult the unit's operation and maintenance manual.
- Proceed with installation only after unsatisfactory conditions are corrected.
3.2 INSTALLATION
Installation shall be performed in accordance with these specifications, project drawings, manufacturer's installation instructions, best practices, and applicable building codes. Install the unit maintaining necessary clearances for servicing and maintenance.
3.3 CONNECTIONS
Industry best practices shall be followed for all connections. Connections must comply with installation requirements specified above. Duct installation and connection requirements are detailed in Division 23.
3.4 SITE QUALITY CONTROL
Contractor shall inspect site-assembled components and equipment installation, reporting results in writing to the Architect/Engineer. Inspection must include a comprehensive commissioning checklist, at minimum including completed checklists from the manufacturer's operation manual. Include any other specific requirements.
3.5 COMMISSIONING SERVICE
Contractor is responsible for commissioning. This includes cleaning the unit, combing coil fins if necessary, and installing clean filters. Refer to Section 23 'Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing' and comply with its provisions.
3.6 DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING
Contractor shall train owner's maintenance personnel on the adjustment, operation, and maintenance of the makeup air unit. Refer to Division 01 Section Closeout Procedures, Demonstration, and Training.
