Is it possible to install an ERV in a window?
Jas Thurber| Posted inGBA Pro Helpon
We re-painted the finished attic in our home when we bought the house and for some reason, it has been off-gassing for over 10 months now. My son reacts to it, so we need to do something. It is inefficient to keep a window cracked at all times. We cannot go to the expense at the moment of ducting an ERV into our current HVAC system. Do they make units that can be installed in a window? Thanks.
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Replies
Jas,
Most ERVs require 4 ducts. One duct brings fresh outdoor air to the ERV. A second duct sends conditioned fresh air from the ERV to the fresh air grilles. A third duct pulls stale air from the exhaust grilles and brings that exhaust air to the ERV. And a fourth duct conveys exhaust air from the ERV to the outdoors.
These four ducts can't be installed in a window unit, clearly.
Panasonic makes a simplified ERV that doesn't provide all of the features of a real ERV. There are two problems with the Panasonic unit (Panasonic WhisperComfort ERV - FV-04VE1): it pulls exhaust air from the same room where it delivers fresh air; and it won't work in a cold climate.
Even this simplified ERV can't be installed in a window, though. It is designed to be installed in a ceiling, and it still needs ductwork.
If you want to install a mechanical ventilating device in your window, what you want is a simple window fan.
Did you ever figure something out for this, and if so what was it?