Lunos-style ERV/HRV
I have already asked about the Honeywell ERV installed in my attic as part of that HVAC system. Thanks for all the great suggestions.
There is no ERV or HRV attached to my other system, which is located in the basement and serves the main floor and basement. There may be space in the closet with the air handler for a heat exchanger, but both the gas furnace and gas tankless water heater exhaust where the fresh air intake would have to go. Both date to 2014, so we may go all-electric at some point, but not yet.
I would like some advice on whether Lunos or Lunos-style ERV/HRV should be added to the ground floor. I am thinking a pair or perhaps two pair. I don’t think the basement is a good candidate for thru-wall systems because the intake/exhaust would be 8 inches from the ground.
I’m located in Maryland, almost adjacent to DC. Humidity is a major concern.
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Lunos won't do much with respect to reducing humidity of incoming air. You may want to take a look at Panasonic's small ERV (FV-04VE1) which can be installed standalone, and has an optional intake/exhaust that only requires one hole in the building. 30 CFM is max delivery, and although efficiency is not amazing, it won't matter as much in your climate zone. Two of them (60 CFM total) is likely in the same price range as a two port Lunos setup.
https://na.panasonic.com/us/home-and-building-solutions/ventilation-indoor-air-quality/energy-recovery-ventilators/whispercomfortrerv-balanced-air-solution
I like the idea, but I don't know if I like the looks of it. Two questions about installation locations, one might be too crazy.
Now that we have a ventless dryer, I can re-purpose the old dryer vent. But, it's close to the ground. How close to grade is acceptable? Of course, I would turn the system off if we left the house in winter, when snow might block the vent.
Crazier idea. We aren't going to use the fireplace and it planned to seal it semi-permanently. What about using the fireplace? The intake and exhaust installation could use the chimney. I would run a pipe from the unit to the exterior, which is probably costly.
Edit: Reading the installation instructions, I don't think the chimney installation is possible because the intake and exhaust both have to face down. Is this true for all ERV? Assuming I could find a system where the intake and exhaust can face up, is the chimney a terrible idea, assuming that I can seal around the ERV and the vents really do reach the outside?
Every manufacturer will have instructions/requirements on orientation, but within model lines you can sometimes choose a model with the correct supply/return duct locations for your application (top vs side etc.) Mounting either horizontal, or with ducts facing down should not be an issue with the Panasonic as you'll be running insulated ducts to them anyway, no?
Code will vary, but you'll see 2 to 3 feet for minimum ground height for an intake.
The chimney is an option, if there is room in it to run the correct sized (insulated) duct, and there are no vents on your roof that what would interfere with fresh air intake. You would not want fresh air intake for example anywhere close to a plumbing vent stack etc. If you don' t use insulated supply/return ducts, you'll run into condensation issues in the chimney.