We’ve recently received some great questions about humidity control in our Passive Houses, read on to see how we address this hot topic:
What controls the humidity level inside a passive house?
There are two types of ventilation systems available that are being used in Passive Houses. One is a heat recovery ventilation system (HRV), the other is an energy recovery ventilation system (ERV). The difference between the two is that an ERV manages moisture as well as heat while delivering fresh air into the home. With both systems, incoming fresh air receives heat from the stale air that is being exhausted. With an ERV, moisture in the air is exchanged as well. The Artisans Group is specifying ERV’s in all of the Passive Houses that we build.
Does/Can the fresh air system filter the air?
Yes. The HRV/ERV industry is quite mature, and the industry did not develop exclusively for Passive House. The basic provision behind the success of the industry is that of excellent indoor air quality. Moving relatively low volumes of air through highly effective filters is a great way to improve air quality.
In my case, I have a spouse that can be quite sensitive to pollen in the spring. Can the fresh air system be configured to remove dust and pollen from the air?
Filters that are designed to meet the specific needs of all Passive House occupants can be integrated into these systems. HEPA, electronic, and other high-efficiency filtration systems work well with the ERV’s that we install.
Thanks readers for engaging with us, we enjoy hearing from you!
Posted on October 20, 2010
