All, I am building a small apartment (560sf) in northern MI, zone 6. Will be well sealed and well insulated. HVAC contractor said to use ceiling-mounted bath fan in the bathroom as the air exchanger (Panasonic Whisper Green 50-80-100 CFM). It has no air intake/make-up line as you likely know. Bathroom has functional window. 2 questions:
1. How does this exchange air if there is no integrated make-up air? Seems like just exhaust flow.
2. This unit can have a heater integrated as well. That would be nice, but seems the fan would suck the heat out as fast as it puts it in.
Thanks for any insight!
Jim in Charlevoix
Replies
Answers to your questions
1. It does not. It is exhaust only.
2. The heater and exhaust are separate functions, but can be used at the same time. When you need to vent moisture / odors, it will also vent the heat, same as any other exhaust fan. It can be used to provide heat without the exhaust fan operating.
If you need air exchange ( most well sealed building do )
Panasonic makes the WhisperComfort ERV, suitable for small buildings. It can be ceiling mounted like the bath fans. Is this what you contractor was referring to?
There are other brands, including some from the big box stores, that may fit your needs. A search for "small heat recovery ventilation systems" will show you a number of options.