Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors (CACEA)

  • Home
  • Single Zone HRV in a House with Suite (MURB)

Single Zone HRV in a House with Suite (MURB)

  • 25 Jul 2022 4:35 PM
    Message # 12860665

    Any tips on how to air test the following scenario?  We have a single zone HRV system in a House with Suite (i.e., two zone MURB).  The downstairs suite has an outdoor access (door) and no connection to the main floor house, so the building classifies as a 2 zone MURB requiring a 2 zone test. Considering the HRV is set-up as a single zone serving both zones, any tips on how best to conduct the air tightness test (considering the HRV duct system is connecting the two units)?  

  • 26 Jul 2022 11:15 AM
    Reply # 12862623 on 12860665

    Rider, is there any other ductwork present?

  • 26 Jul 2022 11:17 AM
    Reply # 12862637 on 12860665

    Is there any reason you can not put a door on the main and one on the lower unit and run at the same time?

  • 27 Jul 2022 1:49 AM
    Reply # 12863562 on 12860665

    Hi Angela, thanks.  Other than HRV ductwork, there is no other ductwork present in the home.  The main floor is heated primarily by a mini-split.  It is a high performance home with a very low design heating load.  The downstairs is half mechanical room and half living space (heated by a couple of baseboards).   And yes, a 2 blower door - 2 zone test could work; however this is a remote community house so budgeting a second operator and second blower for a residential property adds a fair amount of cost, so looking for a 1 blower - 2 zone solution, if possible.  

  • 27 Jul 2022 9:35 AM
    Reply # 12863824 on 12860665

    Rider, there is a 1 blower 2 zone solution detailed in the ERS Technical Procedures section 7.6.5. Basically you conduct the blower door test as you normally would, one test for each zone. The only difference is that in addition to measuring the pressure in the unit you are testing relative to outside, and the flow pressure/cfm, you also have to measure the pressure in the adjacent unit relative to outside. So there are 3 data points per pressure measurement. It involves a long hose going into the other unit, and perhaps a piece of metal tubing so you can run the hose in the corner of a closed door or window. Then you just plug in the hose to the other unit into the 'input' on the house pressure side of the gauge. When you choose this method in H2K a new column and section will appear to enter in this additional data. Hope that helps.

    1 file
© 2020 CACEA - Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software