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Balanced Ventilation in Multi-Family Homes
Simply Balanced Ventilation
We know that a healthy home starts with a ventilation system that brings in fresh air and controls the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
Balanced ventilation helps eliminate pollutants such as VOCs, pollen, and cooking odors while providing clean air, controlling humidity, and preventing mold.
We help you see what solution gets you clean air and why and where you might want to go beyond that to achieve a healthier design and ensure your occupants' health and comfort.
A fresh air appliance provides a controlled way of ventilating a multi-family dwelling without excessive energy losses.
Regional Business Development Director - North America
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Regulations and Factors
Important to know
ASHRAE 62.2 is a national standard that provides methods for achieving minimally acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) for multi-family structures of more than three stories.
ASHRAE 90.1 is a national standard that describes the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most buildings, including multi-family construction.
2021 IECC is an International Energy Conservation Code that addresses energy efficiency on several fronts including cost, energy usage, use of natural resources, and the impact of energy usage on the environment from most buildings
C403.7.4.1 Nontransient dwelling units Nontransient dwelling units shall be provided with outdoor air energy recovery ventilation systems with an enthalpy recovery ratio of not less than 50% at cooling design conditions and not less than 60% at heating design conditions
Exceptions Nontransient dwelling units in Climate Zone 3C. Nontransient dwelling units with not more than 500 sq.ft. of conditioned floor area in Climate Zones 0, 1, 2, 3, 4C, and 5C
Ideal Project Profile
FIT 70E: 1-2 bedroom apartments
FIT 120E: Up to 3 bedroom apartments
ATMO 150E: Up to 3-bedroom apartments, suites, penthouse
HERO 150H-EC: Up to 4-bedroom apartments in LEED or PHIUS certified buildings
Discovery Questions
Good to know
Does the National Code requirement apply in my jurisdiction?
Provisions of local Mechanical Codes and Energy Code in certain states require multi-family homes in buildings of four stories or more to have balanced ventilation with heat or energy recovery systems. Consult with your local Code.
Are these products PHIUS or LEED-certified?
These products offer credits related to air quality improvement in new construction.
Is a higher latent recovery/moisture transfer a selling advantage?
In colder winter climates, the higher the recovery, the more moisture will be returned back with the supply air during the heating season. In humid summer climates, the conditioned air from indoors has a lower humidity level than outdoors so the higher the transfer level is the more moisture will be removed from the outdoor air that is being brought in.
How important is Total Recovery Efficiency?
The higher the percentage, the greater the comfort. For example, if the indoor room temperature is 70F and the outside temperature is 30F, the greater TRE rate could mean the difference between having air in the low 60s coming into the dwelling vs air that is over 65F.
What are Defrost Options?
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Supply Fan Shut-down
The supply air fan shuts down when the outdoor air temperature drops to 14F (-10C) or lower. During the defrost cycle, the supply air fan (pulls the cold air into the appliance) shuts down.
The exhaust air fan (pulls air from the indoors) switches to high speed maximizing defrost effectiveness.
Advantages:
Simple and robust defrost prevention system.
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Recirculation
The motorized damper temporarily closes and blocks the incoming fresh air stream. The return air circulates through the core while defrosting it.
The exhaust air fan shuts down while the supply air fan switches to high speed to maximize defrost effectiveness.
Advantages:
Doesn’t depressurize livable space during the defrost cycle.
Ideal for higher humidity outdoor conditions or colder outdoor conditions.
Wall Controls with a TVOC Sensor
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ECO-Feel®
TVOC sensing controller, ECO-mode, w/o display, 4 wires
• Optimizes FIT performance based on IAQ, indoor RH, and outdoor temperature
• Maintains ventilation at RH level of 45%
• 20 mins ON/40 mins OFF per hour of operation at low speed
• The ventilation rate increases when the IAQ sensor detects a spike in indoor air’s VOCs
• Screenless design ideal for multi-family homes
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ECO-Touch® IAQ
TVOC sensing controller, multi-function, display, 4 wires
• Optimizes appliance performances based on IAQ, indoor RH, and outdoor temperature
• Can be customized based on user preferences
• Automatic operation in the ECO mode
• Ventilation increases when the IAQ sensor detects a spike in indoor air's VOCs
• The 3-leaf icon indicates the level of air quality
• Touchscreen design perfect for high-end projects
Supporting Assets
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E1993 FIT Series Brochure
Fresh air appliances that FIT
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E1991 HERO & ATMO Brochure
See Successful Projects
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The Belmont at Eastview – Phase 1 – Islip, NY
Reopened in 2023, and now known as The Belmont at Eastview, this luxury apartment complex represents a changing trend in Central Islip. As the demand shifts to luxury apartments, Steel Equities and The Marcus Organization recognized population shifts and changing preferences for amenities. As a result, they poured $100 million into this project to revitalize 8 of the 11 existing buildings. An additional 158 apartments and an 18,000 sq. ft. clubhouse are expected to be completed by June 2024.
Due to its compact size and side-port connection, the FIT appliances “fit” perfectly in each apartment’s mechanical closet.
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Le Wow – Quebec City, QC
Opened in July of 2022, Le Wow is a six-story building with apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Each apartment features 9-foot high ceilings, soundproofing, and high-end finishes. Locals say it is a great location due to its walkability to nearby shops and restaurants. The building itself features amenities such as a gym, swimming pool, and indoor courtyards.
Mechanical ventilation provided by fresh air appliances ensures livable spaces are ventilated under requirements outlined in the National Building Code.
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The Tides – Riverview, NB
Within Riverview, NB, is a newly developed apartment complex. The 5-story complex is home to 74 residents with unobstructed views of the Petitcodiac River. Situated just minutes from the Route 112 & Route 114 highways, residents have easy access to downtown Moncton, New Brunswick.
Each of the 74 apartment units needed their own ventilation system to satisfy the ventilation code.
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Le Divin – Quebec City, QC
Originally designed in 1940 as a convent for the Serving Sisters of Sait-Coeur-de-Marie, Le Divin has been converted to feature 280 contemporary condominiums in a historic building in 2022 (phase 1) and 2023 (phase 2).
The mechanical engineers used Fantech Fresh Air Appliances with heat recovery for this application, as these HRVs successfully supply outdoor airflow to a 1,200 sq. ft. living space.
