Does Ultra Aire 100 replace ERV/HRV ventilators?

[gsubrec]

When I read the brochure for the Ultra-Aire series,
it is clear that they perform a ventilator function
as well as a dehumidifier function

Is this ventilator action similar to ERV or to HRV
ERV and HRV ventilators typically quote efficiency,
what is the ventilation efficiency of the Ultra Aire


Thermastor also sells a series of 'Lifebreathe' HRV ventilators, with 90% efficiency

Does using the Ultra Aire remove the need for using a 'Lifebreath' type HRV product or any separate ERV ventilator

I read that a lower cost Ultra Aire 90 is coming out soon
where can I see a brochure of this

In winter, I need to use a humidifier. can this co-exist with the Ultra Aire

The Ultra Aire heats up the internal air to some extent
how much hotter does it get internally and how much more does it cost in AC

Does the Ultra Aire significantly reduce the need for AC in
a climate near Philadelphia



Thanks

[teddy bear]

Is this ventilator action similar to ERV or to HRV
ERV and HRV ventilators typically quote efficiency,
What is the ventilation efficiency of the Ultra Aire?

Ultra-Aire blends a preset minimal amount of fresh air with house air. The fresh air ventilation usually coincides normal occupancy. The blend is filtered, and distributed throughout the home. An integral high eff. dehumidifier dehumidifies if internal house %RH exceeds the desired in the ventilating or non-ventilating mode. There is no exhaust function. Exhaust appliances, bath fans, kitchen exhaust, and clothes drier use the surplus air. When not needed, a slight positive air pressure prevents dusty and moist air from infiltrating the home. There is no recovery of heat or moisture transfer with the U-A. Because of the small amount of fresh air (50-75 cfm/occupied) needed in a home, the increases heating/cooling cost is about a $100 for the whole year. All though not needed, a HRV/ERV can be used along with a UA and would save half of the heating/cooling energy. Your need for winter humidification indicates that your home does not require supplemental fresh air.

The UA 90H lit will be on our web site "thermastor.com" by the end of the week. The UA only operates when the indoor humidity exceeds the indoor dehumidistat set point, working well with a humidifier.
The UA generates heat while dehumidifying. Normally, the UA only operates when the a/c has a low/no cooling load condition. Compared to overcooling with an a/c to control %RH in the low/no load condition, the UA cost less to operate. Being able to maintain <50%RH, makes a home vary comfortable at +76^F for many people. Adequate summer fresh air change, ideal indoor %RH, and high efficiency air filtering may cost you $100 for the season. Our customers do not complain about high-energy cost, but none are talking about saving money on a/c.

[gsubrec]

Does the Ultra Aire use R22 or R410

[teddy bear]

Originally posted by gsubrec
Does the Ultra Aire use R22 or R410
R22 as few factional compressor are UL listed for 410 to date. TB

[pstu]

I am a homeowner and live in a very different climate in S.Texas. In some climates the ERV will have very limited opportunity to transfer heat and moisture, in others it does a lot better. It provides some needed ventilation, some energy conservation in sensible BTUs, and some energy conservation in latent BTUs. Remember that one way or another the incoming air must be conditioned for temperature and humidity, otherwise your interior conditions will deteriorate.

The UA100 (or any other ventilating dehumidifier) can provide the ventilation, no question. And if the outside dewpoint is high, it can dry out that air but it involves an energy COST to do so, not an energy savings. On the other hand if the outside dewpoint is low, the ERV will help that problem and the dehu can do nothing but ventilate.

The sensible (temperature) issue is relatively small in energy terms if I understand right. The air can be cooled by the AC much more effectively than it can be dehumidified. So my concern in a hot-humid climate revolves around the humidity much more than the heat. This is what the dehu does directly, you pay a price to run it (about $20/mo or less for me) but under conditions where an ERV would be ineffective. When our S.Texas outside dewpoint is 75 degrees and the inside dewpoint is 58 degrees, an ERV which delivers perhaps 67 degree dewpoint air, does not do what I want. Whereas a dehumidifier which delivers perhaps 50 degree dewpoint air, is much more valuable to *me* -- despite costing some dollars to run.

Of course an ERV in tandem with a dehu would accomplish both goals better. However the cost is so high that I would buy the more effective tool for me, and not both tools.

Does this help answer your questions? To me a whole lot depends on the climate conditions.

Best of luck -- Pstu

[Edited by pstu on 04-07-2006 at 10:20 AM]