The CERV2 is a whole house balanced ventilation system designed to provide premium indoor air quality. The 200 cfm carriage house system was designed by Ben Newell from Build Equinox to provide balanced fresh air to both bedrooms and great room and exhaust from both bathrooms, laundry/utility, and kitchen. The system consists of one 8" fresh air intake and one 8" exhaust, which pass through the guest bedroom closet to the outdoors, supported by a metal frame, and enclosed behind finished drywall. [See photos below.] There is one 8" fresh air duct and one 8" exhaust duct that transition to 6" ducts in the plenum and provide supply and exhaust to each designated room. Rigid metal duct was selected for its durability and to improve air flow. Each joint was sealed with mastic and the entire duct system insulated with R8 FSK.
Although time consuming, careful attention to detail when installing duct work can make a positive difference in performance and durability. The quality of indoor air in the carriage house is noticeable immediately upon entering the building.
The CERV2 includes two replaceable MERV 13 filters (other filter options are also available), and we chose to add the ultraviolet light to destroy microbes that can contribute to "allergies, poor IAQ, and airborne disease transmission". The CERV2 is controlled by a touch screen and is easy to navigate. Also installed in the carriage house are three wireless switches to ramp up exhaust ventilation when needed. They are located in each bathroom and to the left of the kitchen recirculating range hood.
The carriage house is heated and cooled by one Fujitsu cold climate 9,000 BTU ductless mini split, centrally located in the great room. Conditioned air is then circulated throughout the building via the CERV2.
A final note about CERV2 and radon - - Washington County, NY contains high levels of radon in many areas. As such, the carriage house has 15mil poly (taped at all joints and penetrations) under the slab and includes a passive radon system installed at its perimeter. When testing for radon prior to the CERV2 installation, radon levels, although within acceptable range, dropped by several points once the CERV2 was up and running.
Although time consuming, careful attention to detail when installing duct work can make a positive difference in performance and durability. The quality of indoor air in the carriage house is noticeable immediately upon entering the building.
The CERV2 includes two replaceable MERV 13 filters (other filter options are also available), and we chose to add the ultraviolet light to destroy microbes that can contribute to "allergies, poor IAQ, and airborne disease transmission". The CERV2 is controlled by a touch screen and is easy to navigate. Also installed in the carriage house are three wireless switches to ramp up exhaust ventilation when needed. They are located in each bathroom and to the left of the kitchen recirculating range hood.
The carriage house is heated and cooled by one Fujitsu cold climate 9,000 BTU ductless mini split, centrally located in the great room. Conditioned air is then circulated throughout the building via the CERV2.
A final note about CERV2 and radon - - Washington County, NY contains high levels of radon in many areas. As such, the carriage house has 15mil poly (taped at all joints and penetrations) under the slab and includes a passive radon system installed at its perimeter. When testing for radon prior to the CERV2 installation, radon levels, although within acceptable range, dropped by several points once the CERV2 was up and running.
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To learn more about the CERV2 and Build Equinox, please visit click here.
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