Lunos HRV in Basement?
Hi everyone. I’m considering putting a ductless HRV in my basement – through the rim joists to provide some fresh air into the space and also help with radon levels which are near 4.0 pci/l. The basement will have a finished sheetrock ceiling.
The Lunos HRV’s from what I understand, can only be installed in walls. Since I’m looking to install this in the rim joists, and sheetrock to the bottom of the joists (finished ceiling), I’m not sure if it’ll work. Has anyone installed these Lunos (either the e2, Nexxt, or Ego) in a basement before? If so did you attach a 90-degree elbow and install with a ceiling grille?
If the Lunos HRV’s don’t work, any recommendations for another small ductless HRV that would work? Or perhaps an exhaust-only system such as EZ Breathe?
https://www.everdryny.com/services/ez-breathe
Thanks!
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I asked 475 High Performance Building Supply about a similar use a while back and they advised me against it. I don't completely remember the reasoning, but I think it was related to the fact that it wouldn't be very high off the ground on have outside in my case (maybe a foot or so high).
Depending on your climate zone, an HRV running in a basement in the summer can lead to very high humidity in the basement, and an ERV would be a much better choice. Lunos is sort of half way on that. Panasonic ERVs--real 4-duct units--have a good reputation and there are some very small units.
Thank you. I'm in climate zone 4A.
Can you recommend a specific model? Climate zone 4a (just north of NYC) Thanks!
Panasonic makes a nice medium-sized ERV, the Intelli-balance 100. Costs roughly the same as a pair of Lunii (which are nice little unit, but maybe not the best for you situation). Might be bigger than you want to deal with, though.
And consider a separate dehumidifier if you've got high humidity (>50% RH).
In similar threads, the experts stress that it is important to address any radon issues with an appropriate strategy. Introducing more air to dilute the radon isn't enough. (At least that is my recollection.)
Thanks Steve. Can you include a link to the articles you're referencing? From what I've read in GBA articles and Q & A's, the jury is still out on dilution for radon. Since my radon level are not super high, more hovering around the 4.0 pci/l threshold, I'm hoping this strategy would both provide fresh air and lessen the radon, if only slightly.
I'm also considering an exhaust only strategy per Martin's article.
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/exhaust-only-ventilation-systems-and-radon
If I use a fan like this one I could also reverse the fan and use it for fresh air if needed. But no heat or energy exchange. Any thoughts or experience with this strategy and air exchanger unit? Thanks!
https://www.amazon.com/Tjernlund-Xchanger-Reversible-Basement-Ventilation/dp/B071W6B3NL
Thanks for prompting me to go back and reread Martin's 2014 article. It seems my recollection was off. I guess the important takeaway is that dilution can work, but it's important to monitor indoor conditions over time.
On installing intakes near the ground, my own experience is this is less than ideal since the fall fulls in a lot more dust, insects, and other things floating in the air. (Spiders don't seem to mind building nests in your ERV enclosure, for example.)