Installation Air Duct Design and Installation

Installation

Air Duct Design and Installation

A well designed and installed ducting system will allow the HRV to operate at its maximum efficiency.

Always try to keep duct runs as short and straight as pos- sible. See Installation Diagrams for various installation options.

The inner and outer liners of the flexible insulated duct must be clamped to the sleeve of the weather hoods (as close to the outside as possible) and the appropriate port on the HRV. It is very important that the fresh air intake line be given special attention to make sure it is well sealed. A good bead of high quality caulking (preferably

silicone sealant) will seal the inner flexible duct to both the HRV port and the weather hood prior to clamping with a large zip tie.

To minimize air flow restriction, the flexible insulated duct that connects the two outside weather hoods to the HRV should be stretched tightly and be as short as possible.

Twisting or folding the duct will severely restrict air flow. See below for the recommended connection of flexible insulated ducts to the the outside weather hoods and the HRV.

Installing the Ducting Between

the HRV & Living Areas in the Home

To maximize airflow in the duct system, all ducts should be kept short and have as few bends or elbows as possi- ble. Forty-five degree elbows are preferred to 90° elbows. Use “Y” tees instead of 90° elbows whenever possible.

All duct joints must be fastened with screws, rivets or duct sealant and wrapped with mastic or a quality duct tape to prevent leakage. Mastic is preferred but if duct tape is used, we recommend aluminum foil duct tape.

Galvanized ducting from the HRV to the living areas in the house is recommended whenever possible, although flexi- ble duct can be used in moderation if necessary.

To avoid possible noise transfer through the duct system, a short length (approximately 12 inches or 300mm) of non- metallic flexible insulated duct should be connected between the HRV and the supply/exhaust duct system.

The main supply and return lines to/from the HRV must be the same size or larger than the duct connection collar. Branch lines to the individual rooms may be as small as 4 inches (100mm), but 5 inch (125mm) lines are preferred .

All ducts running through attics and unheated spaces must be sealed and insulated to code.

Fresh Air Ducting

In applications that do not include an air handler, fresh air should be supplied to all bedrooms and living areas, excluding bathrooms, kitchen and utility areas. Grilles should be located high on a wall or in ceiling locations.

WARNING

Include a short length of fabric, flex duct or other non-metallic connector in the “Fresh Air to Building” hard ducted line in order to keep the HRV separately grounded (electrically) from the air handler. This will avoid a possible shock hazard to service people if a short to ground develops in one of the devices.

Grilles that diffuse the air comfortably such as the Round Diffuser are recommended.

If the floor is the only option available, then special care should be taken in locating grilles. Areas such as under baseboard heaters will help to temper the air. Also option- al inline duct heaters are available for mounting in the supply duct work to add heat if required.

Direct Connection to Air Handler Duct System

Should you wish to hard duct the fresh air from the HRV directly into the cold air return of the air handler, remem- ber to check the air flow balance of the HRV with the air handler fan both "ON" and "OFF" to determine that it does not imbalance the unit more than 10%.

Indirect Connection to Air Handler Duct System

If permitted by local codes, an indirect connection may be made between the HRV fresh air duct and the air handler return plenum. The fresh air from the unit may be directed at a grille installed in the cold air return duct of the air han- dler. The fresh air outlet from the HRV should be no closer than 4 inches (100mm) and no more than 12 inches (300mm) from the grille.

FRESH AIR

FROM HRV

4" MINIMUM	RETURN AIR
12" MAXIMUM	DUCT FOR
	AIR HANDLER

120ERV, RNC120F specifications

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