ENERGY RECOVERY

IN MINNESOTA:
Practical Guide to ERV Operations

APRIL 2017

JOSH QUINNELL
CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

This project was supported in part by a grant from the Minnesota

Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, through the
Conservation Applied Research and Development (CARD) program.
Energy Recovery Ventilation

INTRODUCTION Energy Recovery: Key Takeaways

Are commercial and institutional energy recovery • ERVs reduce heating and cooling energy, operating
ventilation systems (ERVs) meeting performance costs, and initial capital costs by using outgoing
expectations? A recent research project1 funded by the exhaust air to pre-condition incoming fresh air.
• ERVs transfer both heat (temperature change) and
Minnesota Department of Commerce sought to answer
moisture (humidity change) in any direction
this question. The project was proposed because of a necessary to save energy.
growing body of anecdotal evidence suggesting that, in • Energy savings depend on the relative amount of
practice, ERV systems are failing to live up to their exhaust and ventilation flow. The lower flow rate
expectations. The study compiled prior work on ERV stream dictates maximum energy savings.
system performance, commonly encountered problems, • Energy recovery is subordinate to ventilation needs;
and subsequently field-tested nine representative ERV ventilation air flow should not be increased to
improve energy recovery.
systems operating in Minnesota. This short guide was
developed from these research findings.
Energy recovery ventilation (ERVs) systems transfer
ERV units are unique in that their problems are easily energy between the exhaust air and the ventilation air
masked by heating and cooling systems. This guide streams to reduce the energy necessary to condition
focuses on practical details of ERVs such that operations ventilation air. ERVs can transfer both heat (temperature
and performance expectations can be developed by the change) and moisture (humidity change) in the direction
staff that interact with these systems. Theoretical necessary to minimize load. Thus, throughout all seasons
background on energy recovery and other technical ERVs can save energy. One exception occurs when the
considerations are available from other sources2. The aim outdoor air is at such conditions that it can be directly used
of this document is to guide the operator/owner through to meet the cooling load (i.e. free cooling or economizing
the operation of common exhaust air-to-air energy mode). Over 80% of commercial and institutional C&I
recovery systems in institutional and commercial energy recovery systems in Minnesota use a total energy
buildings in Minnesota based on up to date research wheel, which are rotating discs that transfer both
results. Specific values and examples are referenced temperature and humidity. Fixed plate heat exchangers
from recent work to add perspective, but temperatures, (13%) are also found and they usually only transfer heat.
percentages, and operational details will vary with each Other ERV types are rare, but many principles discussed
ERV implementation. here still apply.

INDOOR COMFORT: VENTILATION, Figure 1. Air-to-air exhaust recovery ventilation systems

(ERVs) transfer energy between the exhaust (relief) air and
TEMPERATURE, AND HUMIDITY the ventilation (outside) air streams in whichever direction
lowers the ventilation load.
Indoor Comfort
Occupant comfort in buildings is important for health,
productivity, and well-being. Adequate fresh air
(ventilation flow rate) is necessary to maintain indoor air
quality while temperature and humidity levels are
maintained to satisfy occupants. Incoming ventilation air
displaces existing air which is discarded as exhaust air.
Energy is used by heating or cooling coils in traditional
HVAC systems to condition incoming ventilation air.
Meanwhile the energy embodied in the exhaust air is
discarded, which yields a savings opportunity.

1Quinnell J.A., (2017) Energy Recovery in Minnesota

2ASHRAE. (2016) HVAC Applications and Systems.
Commercial and Institutional Buildings, (To be Published). Chapter 26, Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Equipment

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

Ventilation Adds Building Load Understanding Flow Rates

Ventilation air is typically introduced through one or more
mechanical air handler systems, which use fan energy to Figure 2. Balanced flows: Temperature and humidity
changes of each flow stream are about the same.
move the air. These systems also use energy to
condition the air to maintain thermal comfort. For
ventilation air to enter, exhaust air must leave. Typically
air is exhausted through central exhaust (relief) systems
and multiple point exhaust systems (e.g. restrooms).

Building Pressurization and Infiltration

For maximum energy recovery all exhaust air should pass
through the ERV system to recover energy. In practice,
ERVs compete with other building airflow needs. Point
exhausts are used to evacuate restrooms or kitchens; it is
uncommon that these exhaust streams are centralized Figure 3. Unbalanced flows: Larger temperature and
humidity changes occur in the lower flow rate stream.
through an ERV. Infiltration and exfiltration (air movement Smaller changes occur in the higher flow rate stream.
small gaps and cracks in the building envelope) also
result in air bypassing energy recovery systems.

Why do flow rates matter?

Energy savings from ERVs depend on the amount of air
in both streams (exhaust and ventilation). The most
energy that can be recovered is equal to the smallest flow
rate times the difference between inside temperature and
outside temperature (or enthalpy).
Unbalanced Conditions
Air Stream Classification When supply is greater than exhaust: The largest
Air streams are classified based on contaminants. temperature/humidity changes occur in exhaust
stream and the unit may not meet ASHRAE 90.1-2010
Class 1: Low contaminants, inoffensive (e.g. office performance requirement (somewhat common).
space).
Class 2: Moderate contaminants, mildly offensive When exhaust is greater than supply: The largest
odors (e.g. lavatory)
temperature/humidity changes occur in the supply
Class 3 & 4: Significant or harmful contaminants
stream (uncommon – may indicate exhaust
ERV systems mostly operate in class 1 air streams. deficiencies elsewhere).
With some restrictions, class 2 and class 3 air
streams can be incorporated, but this is not common Purge and Air Leakage
and outside the scope of this document.
Wheel-based ERV systems are not air tight. In fact they
usually purge some outside air directly into the exhaust to
Care should be exercised such that design flows closely
reduce the amount of exhaust air transferred back into the
estimate as-operated flows. ERVs that operate below
supply flow. Generally air leakage and the purge flow rate
design flow rates will not reach energy savings
are low (e.g. <10%), but it is important they be accounted
expectations based on design flow rates. On the other
for in operations. ERV capacities reference both supply
hand, energy recovery is subordinate to ventilation needs;
and outside airflow, which creates some ambiguity about
ventilation air flow should not be increased to improve
true ventilation flows. This is frequently complicated by
energy recovery.
design documentation, which may not include purge
flows. While purge flows are typically low; they can be
proportionately large at low flow rates near design
pressures.

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

MINNESOTA CLIMATE SPECIFIC directly for free cooling (economizer function). ERVs
CONSIDERATIONS operating during this period yield an energy penalty. ERV
systems must be inactive for maximum economizer
Total energy savings opportunities depend on average savings.
climate conditions. Minnesota is contained by climate
When outside conditions approximately exceed desired
zones 6 and 7 (cold and very cold). These climate zones
indoor conditions (~75ºF) energy recovery is fully active.
are defined by a high heating load (7,500 – 11,000 HDD)
The ERV preconditions the outside air and reduces the
and a low-to-moderate cooling load (0 – 1,500 CDD). The
load seen by the cooling system. At cooling design
long, cold, and dry heating season in Minnesota provides
conditions, ERV systems reduce the load on the cooling
the majority of the opportunity for energy recovery. The
system by as much as 30% to 70%.
short and somewhat humid cooling season allows some
cooling savings opportunity, but ERVs are best for
Figure 5. In Minnesota, ERVs mainly recover temperature in
reducing the peak cooling load, resulting in potential for the winter and reduce humidity in the summer. They remain
cooling system downsizing and reduced first costs. inactive during economizer operation.

Figure 4. Minnesota is contained within climate zones 6 and

7 (cold and very cold). These climate zones are defined by
a high heating load (7,500 – 11,000 HDD) and a low-to-
moderate cooling load (0 – 1,500 CDD).

Figure 6. During typical occupied hours, ERVs in Minnesota

spend 61% time heating, 18% time cooling, and 21% time
inactive during economizer operation.

Energy Recovery Priorities

Energy recovery priorities follow the opportunity for
energy savings. The priority for MN energy recovery
systems is to remain active during cold weather. About
half of all energy recovery will take place between 12ºF
and 45ºF. Based on recently studied units, somewhere
between 60% and 80% of all energy recovery occurs
between 0ºF and 45ºF. Below 25ºF, ERVs meet the
heating load in cooperation with the heating system. At
very cold temperatures, some precaution (frost control)
may be necessary depending on the system and Typical Energy Recovery Results
conditions (Section 4). At moderately cold temperatures  80% of energy recovery is heating (up to 45ºF)
but below the balance point (25ºF to 35ºF +), ERVs may  50% of all energy recovery takes place between
meet the entire heating load and require controls that 12ºF and 45ºF
prevent overheating ventilation air.  <20% of energy recovery is cooling (70ºF +)
 Peak cooling recovery occurs around 80ºF to 85ºF,
Between the balance point and the indoor conditions coincident with hot, humid weather
(~55ºF to 75ºF), energy recovery systems are usually
inactive. At these temperatures ventilation air can be used

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

OPERATIONS controlling ventilation air. This introduces a key point.

Energy recovery systems act upon ventilation air and
should be interlocked with supply fan systems. Wheel
Basic controls: Key Takeaways
speed adjustments and damper modulation serve no
 There are two ways to change energy recovery: purpose without ventilation air.
using dampers to direct flow through/bypass the
ERV or by changing wheel speed Energy recovery modes
 In Minnesota, ERVs will typically need to operate in ERV operations can be described by five distinct modes.
5 different modes
The amount of energy recovery varies from mode to mode
 A variety of sensors and sequences are available for
control based on desired outcome.
 Simple control solutions offer lower cost, fewer
Figure 8. There are 5 basic operations of an energy recovery
problems, and usually no performance penalty
system that occur depending on outside air temperature (or
enthalpy).
Changing the amount of energy recovery
There are two ways to change the amount of energy
recovery on a typical ERV; changing the outside air flow
rate through the energy recovery media, or in the case of
rotating ERVs (wheels), changing the rotational speed.
The flow rate is varied using a face/bypass damper set,
which directs the flow through the ERV or around it.
Bypass systems offer the advantage of lower energy
costs (lower pressure drop during inactive periods), but
typically at larger space requirements (separate bypass
ductwork). For wheel-based systems, the wheel speed is
varied to change energy recovery. Speed-based control
carries an extra pressure drop even when ERV systems Mode 1: Heating
are inactive or underutilized, but have little added size In Minnesota, ERVs are usually heating outside air. At
requirements. cold temperatures, ~0ºF to 25ºF, the ERV discharge
temperature remains below the supply air temperature.
Figure 7. There are only two ways to change the amount of Energy recovery is fully active and the heating system,
energy recovery 1) controlling the air flow rate downstream of the ERV, is controlled to meet the supply
through/bypass the ERV or 2) changing the wheel speed. air discharge temperature.

Mode 2: Frost Control

At frosting conditions, energy recovery is reduced to
prevent damage to the ERV or prevent the pressure drop
of frost build up. Frost control regimes depend on make,
model, and implementation. It can vary from exhaust air
temperatures between -20ºF and ~34ºF. There are two
In simple systems, energy recovery is either off (100%
approaches, frost prevention and frost control. In fixed
bypass or 0% speed) or on (0% bypass or 100% speed).
plate heat exchangers, frost is often prevented from
More complex systems enable partial energy recovery by
building up at all. A simple way to prevent frost is to make
modulating damper positions or wheel speeds to
sure exhaust discharge temperatures remain above
intermediate values (between 0 and 100% damper
freezing (32ºF). In wheel systems, frost control can
position and/or wheel speed). Wheel speed is typically
engage at much lower temperatures depending on the
modulated by adding a VFD. It is not uncommon to see
unit performance and return air humidity.
bypass and wheel speed controls combined, but this is
not necessary and it complicates control sequencing. Mode 3: Discharge Temperature Modulation
At moderate outside temperatures, ~32ºF+, energy
Two other controls commonly affect energy recovery.
recovery is reduced to avoid overheating. This is
They are mixed air damper settings and ventilation flow
accomplished by reducing wheel speed or opening a
rates. In both cases, these are primarily ventilation air
bypass damper to maintain a constant ERV supply air
controls. They indirectly affect energy recovery by

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

discharge High performance ERVs may modulate below through a building automation system (BAS) or hidden
freezing temperatures to avoid overheating the space. within a local controller. Sensors measure either
temperature or temperature with relative humidity (total
In most cases the ERV discharge temperature should be enthalpy sensors), placed in the incoming and outgoing
the same as the air handler supply air temperature. In air streams. Energy recovery units can operate in simple
other words, if energy recovery systems are modulating or complex ways, depending on the specific sensors and
to prevent overheating, heating coils should be off unless integration with other components. At a minimum, ERVs
necessary for some other reason (e.g. minimum output). usually have dedicated exhaust and supply flow
discharge temperatures. Return air and outside air
Mode 4: Economizer
sensors may be present, but equivalent measurements
At mild cooling temperatures < 75ºF outside air, energy
from other equipment are often used.
recovery is replaced by economizer functionality to meet
some of the cooling or dehumidification load of the Figure 9. ERV units can be outfitted with a variety of sensor
ventilation air. ERVs that are active when outside configurations.
temperature (or enthalpy) is less than return air
temperature (or enthalpy) yield an energy penalty.

Mode 5: Cooling
The corollary to economizer function is cooling mode. If
the system is in cooling mode and it is not economizing,
then energy recovery is fully enabled (100%) to meet the
ventilation cooling load. Cooling systems downstream of
the energy recovery unit will run in turn to meet supply air Sensors placed in the ERV supply discharge flow, (often
discharge set points. As outside conditions get warmer called discharge or supply temperatures) before mixed air
and more humid, the ERV system will meet more of the or heating and cooling coils are used in heating mode to
load. At design conditions, a functioning ERV can meet prevent overheating the space. Because discharge
30% to 70% of the cooling load. With judicious planning, conditions vary over the cross section and there is little
cooling systems can be downsized to account for this space to mix flows, averaging sensors are useful here.
energy recovery. Controls sequences should usually modulate this supply
air temperature to be the same as the discharge
SENSORS AND CONTROL temperature (50ºF to 65ºF) to maximize recovery and
minimizing heating fuel.
Basic controls: Key Takeaways
Frost control
 Confusion in ERV control is exacerbated by lots Frost controls are implemented in a variety of ways. They
of different implementations and naming
are usually enabled by temperature sensors located in the
conventions, but most implementations work
adequately exhaust flow (flow leaving the building envelope).
 During heating, the supply temperature leaving Temperature based frost controls in Minnesota are often
the energy recovery should be controlled to the overly-conservative due to low wintertime indoor
discharge air temperature humidity. A humidity sensor in the return flow (or relevant
 Frost controls should stop or slow energy zone) enables more aggressive frost control when indoor
recovery under very cold conditions. They are humidity is low. Very simple frost controls can also be
usually overly conservative. Frost control should enabled according to the outside air temperature. In these
not be appropriated for other purposes.
cases, energy recovery systems are disabled below a
 Economizer modes should stop cooling
recovery below room temperature. They should fixed temperature. In most cases with reasonable set
likewise not be adjusted or used for other points, the performance differences between these
purposes sequences are small because the operating hours at very
cold outdoor temperatures are low.

Wheel speed and face/bypass damper positions are

adjusted according to sensor measurements and control
sequence logic. Control is usually exposed to staff

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

adequate economizer sequence disables energy

Frost Control
recovery (cooling mode only) below room temperature or
There are several ways to control frost: about 72ºF.
Exhaust Temperature: Energy recovery is inactive or
modulated to maintain an exhaust air temperature Economizer Control
lower limit.
Most economizer controls are compatible with energy
Exhaust Enthalpy: Energy recovery is inactive or recovery.
modulated to maintain an exhaust air enthalpy lower
limit, which depends on exhaust temperature and Outside Air Temperature: Energy recovery is inactive
return air humidity. Low winter humidity in cold climate or modulated to maintain an economizer air
buildings enables significantly lower limits. temperature upper limit.
Outside Temperature: Energy recovery is inactive or Outside Air Enthalpy: Energy recovery is inactive or
modulated below an outside air temperature lower limit. modulated to maintain an economizer air enthalpy
upper limit.
Preheat Coils: Frost control is achieved by preheating
outside air prior to energy recovery. Outside & Return Air Temperatures: Energy
recovery is inactive or modulated when outside air
Pressure: Energy recovery is modulated according to temperature is less than return air temperature.
the pressure drop across (which increases from frost
build up) (uncommon) Outside & Return Air Enthalpies: Energy recovery is
inactive or modulated when outside air temperature is
less than return air enthalpy.
Adjustable frost controls are subject to abuse because
they can effectively disable energy recovery. Frost control Enthalpy controls require additional humidity sensors,
beyond reasonable levels is a somewhat common way to which are prone to larger uncertainty and drift, without
a clear benefit.
disable energy recovery. Frost controls have been
observed with set points ranging from 45ºF to 80ºF,
essentially eliminating 50% to 80% of ERV savings. For Discharge Air Temperature
units in the non-humidified buildings encountered in this Discharge conditions of ERVs (supply and exhaust), vary
study, simple controls that disable total enthalpy wheels significantly over their cross sectional area. To get sensor
below -10ºF outside air temperature are adequate. measurements that represent average conditions, some
care is necessary to specify sensor locations. The
Economizer discharge temperature is measured downstream of the
Economizer mode functions the same with or without ERV on the supply side. Point sensors should be located
energy recovery with the added requirement that energy in the middle of the discharge plane and averaging
recovery be disabled during economizer functionality. sensors should uniformly cover the entire exit plane.
Control logic is implemented based on outside air sensors Exhaust temperature sensors should be placed away
and optionally return air sensors. Cooling and economizer from purge air sections. Sensor placement for inlet
controls come in many forms. They measure outside conditions (outside air, return air) is not as crucial
conditions and compare them to a fixed goal or measured because flows are usually well mixed. Outside air sensors
return air conditions. Sometimes outside conditions are that are not co-located with ERV units (offsite or off-unit)
measured at a fixed location for the whole site or at a local may result in sub optimal control.
weather station. Simple fixed controls compare the
outside temperature or enthalpy to some fixed upper limit,
below which (in cooling mode) energy recovery is inactive
and above which energy recovery is fully active.
Differential controls will economize as long as the outside
temperature or enthalpy is less than the return
temperature or enthalpy. Performance variations with
different economizer sequences are small and other
system details are more likely to determine overall energy
savings. Prior work has found that sophisticated
economizer controls do not provide additional savings in
Minnesota. In buildings encountered in our study, an

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

Outside Air Sensors

There are a variety ways to measure outside air for
ERV control. In order of preference:
Outside air temperature located at the ERV inlet will
provide the most accurate basis for controlling energy
recovery
Outside air temperature at outside air plenum: May
result in some error depending on ductwork or solar
radiation
Outside air temperature on site: A site-wide sensor may
not best represent inlet conditions with other unit.
Offsite Outside air temperature: Local weather station
data may give conditions very different than those of air
entering the ERV.

Table 1. Potential energy recovery sequences, possible sensor implementations, and potential control point names.
Control Sequence Possible Sensors Behavior Potential control point names
Supply temperature Supply air temperature (point or Modulate
control averaging) recovery Wheel/ERV/ERU/HX:
Modulate  Discharge air temperature,
Maintain discharge recovery (as first  Supply air upper limit,
Shared HVAC discharge
temperature and stage in multi-  Energy recovery upper limit
temperature sensor
avoid overheating stage with heating  Temperature
system)
Frost Exhaust air temperature (point or Modulate Wheel/ERV/ERU/HX:
Control/Prevention averaging) recovery  Exhaust air lower limit,
Outside air temperature On/off  Frost control temperature,
Minimize frost or  Frost control lower limit,
prevent formation of  Disable/enable temperature
frost at very cold Exhaust air temperature with Modulate  Defrost set point
temperatures return air humidity recovery  Lower limit
 Frost mode enable
 Frost/freeze set point
Economizer/Cooling Outside air temperature On/off Economizer/econ:
control Outside air enthalpy On/off  Set point,
Outside and return air
On/off  Lockout
Disable energy temperatures  Bypass
recovery when it
Wheel/ERV/ERU/HX:
inhibits free cooling Outside and return air enthalpies On/off  Cooling mode enable

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

Figure 10. As-operated exhaust flows that are less than

ESTIMATING ENERGY RECOVERY design values (unbalanced) typically increase
PERFORMANCE effectiveness, but starve the supply flow of available energy
and total energy recovery decreases.

ERV Performance: Key Takeaways

 Design effectiveness does not predict energy
savings.
 The average Recovery Energy Ratio (RER) is a
metric to compare installed ERV systems as well
as traditional heating and cooling equipment
 ERVs in Minnesota are about 40X times more
efficient than conventional heating systems
 For typical configurations, ERV in Minnesota are
1 to 2X as efficient as conventional AC

Performance
There are three performance metrics for ERVs in the
design literature, effectiveness (ε), recovery energy ratio
(RER), and combined efficiency ratio (CEF). While
effectiveness is the only commonly referenced metric,
RER better reflects installed performance. RER can be RER – Recovery Efficiency Ratio: Ratio of energy
used to compare ERV performance to conventional recovered vs used
equipment and other energy recovery systems at both The recovery energy ratio is the metric for comparing the
average and design conditions. CEF combines RER with energy saved by an ERV system to the energy used by
heating and cooling equipment efficiency to get a HVAC an ERV system. It may also be used to compare energy
system plant performance. recovery to conventional equipment. That said, like
effectiveness, RER (especially seasonally averaged
Effectiveness: Heat Exchanger Efficiency
values) calculations are time consuming and nuanced,
The most referenced performance metric is the
unlikely to prove cost-effective for field investigations.
effectiveness; it’s also the least informative. Effectiveness
Measurements on several units presented here give
(or net effectiveness) typically rates the performance of
context for the overall energy efficiency benefits of ERV
the temperature or moisture transfer of an ERV with
units.
respect to the maximum possible performance, typically
at summer and winter design points and balanced flow Heating RERc depend strongly on outside air conditions.
conditions. ERVs, especially AHRI certified units, achieve RERh is as high as 110 W/W at -20ºF and as low as 4
expected effectiveness under controlled conditions. It is a W/W at 50ºF in typical configurations. For a typical year
design parameter, most useful for sizing units and in Minnesota, an average RERh is about 35 W/W.
adjusting ventilation loads for associated heating and Conventional gas-based heating equipment has an
cooling systems. Design effectiveness does not predict equivalent RERh of 0.8 to 0.9 W/W. In other words energy
energy savings. Actual ERV performance varies due to recovery is about 35 times more efficient than heating
installation, unbalanced flows, outside air conditions, and ventilation air directly.
controls programming. Therefore, design effectiveness,
as usually quoted, is not useful in understanding atypical Cooling performance varies nearly as much. RERc is
ERV performance. These issues are documented in AHRI expressed in units of Btu/W-hr, the same units as EER
Guideline W, but rarely discussed in practice. (energy efficiency ratio), an often used metric to describe
the performance of cooling systems. In Minnesota, a total
A very common situation is that as-operated exhaust enthalpy wheel may have an RERc of 26 Btu/W-hr at 70ºF
flows are less than as-designed exhaust flows. This flow and 130 Btu/W-hr at 85ºF. RERc above 85ºF is
deficiency occurs due to exfiltration, point exhausts, and approximately constant as increasing temperatures are
the interactions between multiple air handlers. In this case balanced by decreasing humidity. The average RERc is
the exhaust side limits the total energy that can be about 17 Btu/W-hr for a total enthalpy wheel without a
exchanged and less recovery occurs. bypass. For systems with bypass the average RERc may

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Energy Recovery Ventilation

be twice as large. ERVs compete with cooling systems

that operate at EERs (AC equivalent of RERc) between
about 10 and 27. In other words, cooling equipment is
significantly more competitive with energy recovery than
heating equipment at mild Minnesota cooling loads. Total
enthalpy wheel ERV systems can outperform most
cooling equipment, but it depends on system
configuration and cooling system performance as much
as ERV characteristics.

Table 2. Recovery energy ratios compare favorably to

conventional systems at design conditions. Although
seasonal average RERs are significantly lower, ERVs yield
energy savings year-round.

Improvement
Seasonal
RER Range over typical
Average
HVAC
Heating
3 - 110 29 ~35X
(W/W)
Cooling
20 -
(Btu/W- 17 ~1 – 2X
140
hr)

CONCLUSION

This guide represents air-to-air exhaust energy recovery

as typically found in Minnesota C&I buildings. There is
tremendous variation in implementation, which can lead
to ambiguity about performance and correct operation,
especially given the lack of expectations outside design
conditions. Nonetheless many different implementations
achieve significant energy savings in line with the
reported seasonal average RERs. Most importantly, ERV
savings depend on the people that touch these systems.
They must understand when ERVs should and should not
run and then field validate this expectation.

Final Report: Energy Recovery in Minnesota Commercial and Institutional Buildings: Expectations and Performance