Podcasts about ervs

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan sits down with building science expert Allison Bailes to dive deep into the world of Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs). The conversation explores the critical role of ventilation in modern homes, highlighting how ERVs have become an essential component of maintaining indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Bailes breaks down the technical nuances of ERVs, explaining how these systems not only bring fresh air into a home but do so while recovering both temperature and moisture energy. The discussion goes beyond simply explaining what an ERV is, delving into the practical considerations of ventilation strategies. Bailes shares personal experiences, including challenges he faced with over-ventilation in his own home, which led to extremely dry indoor conditions. The podcast explores the complex balance of bringing outdoor air inside while managing humidity, temperature, and air quality. Listeners gain insights into why simply bringing in outdoor air isn't always the best solution, especially in climates with extreme humidity or air quality challenges. Throughout the episode, Bailes and Bryan emphasize the importance of thoughtful ventilation design. They discuss the evolution of home construction, noting how increasingly airtight buildings have made proper ventilation more crucial than ever. The conversation touches on key considerations for selecting and implementing ERVs, including motor efficiency, boost capabilities, filtration, and the impact of outdoor air conditions. The experts provide practical advice for contractors, technicians, and homeowners looking to improve their understanding of indoor air management. Key Topics Covered: The difference between Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) Moisture transfer and vapor permeability in ventilation systems Balanced ventilation strategies and their importance Challenges of over-ventilation and indoor air quality Filtration considerations for ERV systems Impacts of outdoor air quality on home ventilation Strategies for different climate zones The role of ERVs in managing indoor humidity and temperature Resources Mentioned: Allison Bailes' book: "A House Needs to Breathe... Or Does It?" Upcoming online ventilation course from Energy Vanguard (expected May 2025) Energy Vanguard website: energyvanguard.com    Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome Sophie Ashley of Energy Vanguard, an HVAC designer with a background in carpentry and building science. Sophie shares her journey from hands-on construction work to HVAC design, emphasizing the critical integration of mechanical systems and building structures. She discusses the importance of feedback loops with installers and her experience performing HERS ratings in the field. Sophie also highlights the shift toward high-performance homes, the growing adoption of heat pumps, and the evolving role of ventilation strategies like ERVs. She provides insights on overcoming industry challenges, the need for better collaboration between trades, and the importance of attracting more women to the field. Wrapping up, she encourages continuous learning and engagement in the HVAC community, emphasizing the rewarding nature of the industry. Energy Vanguard website: https://www.energyvanguard.com/ Sophie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-ashley-6b531119a/   This episode was recorded in February 2025.

Is the “smoking gun” for evolution actually a dud? For years, evolutionists have pointed to Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) as undeniable proof that humans and apes share a common ancestor. They claim these viral “fossils” in our DNA prove evolution beyond a shadow of a doubt. But is that really the case? Join Eric Hovind and Donny Budinsky to take a deep dive into the world of ERVs and see for yourself how the very evidence evolutionists cling to actually supports intelligent design and biblical creation! Are ERVs really useless “junk DNA,” or could they have been designed with a purpose from the beginning? Watch the best so-called evidence for evolution crumble under scrutiny. This is a conversation you don't want to miss! Watch this Podcast on Video at: https://creationtoday.org/on-demand-classes/debunking-the-best-so-called-evidence-for-evolution-endogenous-retroviruses-creation-today-show-415/  Join Eric LIVE each Wednesday at 12 Noon CT for conversations with Experts. You can support this podcast by becoming a Creation Today Partner at CreationToday.org/Partner

In this engaging Building HVAC Science Podcast episode, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome Dr. Allison Bailes, a renowned building science expert, to discuss his ongoing home remodeling journey. Allison shares his firsthand experiences of retrofitting a 1960s ranch home in Georgia, uncovering challenges, lessons, and unexpected discoveries along the way. Allison dives deep into the realities of balancing technical expertise with practical decision-making, from asbestos abatement to air sealing, insulation, and innovative systems like Zehnder ERVs. He highlights the importance of communication with contractors, dynamic environmental factors like radon and air leakage, and the challenges of maintaining performance in existing homes. Throughout the episode, listeners gain invaluable insights into the intersection of building science, project management, and homeowner expectations. Whether you're an HVAC professional, a homeowner, or simply curious about building science, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge wrapped in relatable anecdotes and humor.   Learn more about his business at www.energyVanguard.com and subscribe to his emails. Here is his LinkedIn profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonabailes/ We sell his book at TruTech: https://trutechtools.com/hardcover-a-house-needs-to-breathe-or-does-it.html   This episode was recorded in December 2024.

This week, Matt goes solo to highlight five common construction mistakes made by Texas builders and offers practical solutions to improve building quality.Ductwork in Hot AtticsPlacing ducts in unconditioned attics leads to inefficiency, mold growth, and energy loss. Builders should relocate ducts into conditioned spaces using techniques like closed-cell foam insulation or innovative Rheia duct systems.Cardboard SheathingFlimsy, paper-based sheathing lacks durability and fails to resist air and water infiltration. Durable materials like plywood, OSB, or Huber ZIP-System sheathing offer superior performance and longevity."Houses Need to Breathe" MythAir leaks degrade indoor air quality and cause microbial growth. Builders should create airtight homes with proper ventilation systems, such as ERVs or HRVs, and incorporate dehumidifiers for moisture control.Poor Stucco InstallationImproper stucco systems fail when exposed to irrigation. Using resilient materials and ensuring proper drainage can prevent structural degradation and water damage.Steel Windows and DoorsNon-thermally broken steel frames cause condensation, leading to damage. Thermally broken frames, wood-clad windows, or triple-glazed options are better choices for Texas's climate.Matt emphasizes sustainable building practices and learning from past mistakes to Know Better. Build Better.™ He encourages builders to adopt modern techniques to improve energy efficiency, durability, and customer satisfaction.Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisingerInstagram: @risingerbuild and @thebuildshowTikTok: @thebuildshowYouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildshowWebsite: https://risingerbuild.com/ and https://buildshownetwork.com/Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallax, TX: October 16-18, 2025! Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.

In part one of Red Eye Radio with Gary McNamara and Eric Harley, the Trump administration is building the house and filling the cabinet with some notable and impressive VIPs and campaign surrogates poised for January 20th transition to begin making America great again. Also securing the border and what the Trump administration must do for national security, setting the tone for the incoming administration, the same momentum than won the election sustains through the transition. Also the misogyny of the radical trans gender movement, diesel motor home sales set to be affected with ERVs and more. For more talk on the issues that matter to you, listen on radio stations across America Monday-Friday 12am-5am CT (1am-6am ET and 10pm-3am PT), download the RED EYE RADIO SHOW app, asking your smart speaker, or listening at RedEyeRadioShow.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover Daily by Perplexity explores groundbreaking developments in AI, nuclear physics, Yellowstone's geothermal activity, and cancer research. Mistral AI's new language model, Mistral Large 2, boasts 123 billion parameters and outperforms industry leaders in code generation, mathematics, and multilingual capabilities. This AI breakthrough showcases impressive efficiency across programming languages and complex reasoning tasks. Meanwhile, scientists push boundaries to create element 120, potentially the first on the periodic table's eighth row, with the Super Heavy Element Factory in Russia leading this quest for superheavy elements.A dramatic hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin on July 23, 2024, sent boiling water, mud, and rock 100 feet into the air, damaging a boardwalk and closing the area. This event highlights Yellowstone's dynamic geological nature and the park's history of such explosions, with evidence of at least 16 occurrences over the past 14,000 years. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers lurking beneath Yellowstone's surface and the importance of ongoing geological research.Groundbreaking cancer research reveals the surprising role of ancient viral DNA in tumor immunity. Endogenous retroviruses, long embedded in human DNA, can be reactivated in cancer cells, triggering immune responses that may aid in tumor recognition and elimination. This discovery opens new avenues for cancer treatment, potentially enhancing immunotherapy effectiveness by harnessing these ancient viral elements. The complex interplay between ERVs and tumor immunity highlights the dual nature of these viral remnants in both promoting and suppressing cancer growth.From Perplexity's Discover feed:https://www.perplexity.ai/page/mistral-unveils-large-2-00GRlebXQQiufg1mtooQxghttps://www.perplexity.ai/page/the-creation-of-element-120-zYvKUS_.Q7KiDDzcLZcZKwhttps://www.perplexity.ai/page/yellowstone-s-hydrothermal-exp-k01z1McdR5WHvq71Ypo6vghttps://www.perplexity.ai/page/ancient-viruses-fight-and-fuel-xsWb1JiXQvSJ8ATIChgU6wPerplexity is the fastest and most powerful way to search the web. Perplexity crawls the web and curates the most relevant and up-to-date sources (from academic papers to Reddit threads) to create the perfect response to any question or topic you're interested in. Take the world's knowledge with you anywhere. Available on iOS and Android Join our growing Discord community for the latest updates and exclusive content. Follow us on: Instagram Threads X (Twitter) YouTube Linkedin

Eugenie Scott claims pseudogenes are the *best* argument against Intelligent Design. Dr. Daniel Stern Cardinale says ERVs can fit within the Intelligent Design model. Dr. Casey Luskin addresses them both in this new interview, where he explores the functions of so called Junk DNA, pseudogenes, and ERVs. If you care about the Intelligent Design vs unguided evolution debate...you'll regret missing this!

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan Orr interviews Tim De Stasio, an experienced HVAC practitioner and consultant. Tim shares his journey in the HVAC industry, from his early days in vocational school to running his own contracting business for 12 years. He now focuses on consulting, design, and contractor training, allowing him to pursue his passion for HVAC while sharing his knowledge with others. The conversation delves deep into the world of dehumidifiers, exploring their importance in modern HVAC systems, especially in humid climates. Tim emphasizes the need for supplementary dehumidification in many homes, particularly during part-load conditions when air conditioning systems may not effectively control humidity. He explains the process of selecting and sizing dehumidifiers, stressing the importance of considering factors such as peak latent load conditions, actual dehumidifier performance under real-world conditions, and static pressure effects on output capacity. The discussion also covers the critical role of proper envelope sealing and ductwork in managing humidity. Tim advocates for addressing these issues before installing a dehumidifier, highlighting the importance of blower door testing and fixing any leaks. The podcast concludes with insights on dehumidifier control strategies, the limitations of ERVs in humidity control, and the potential risks associated with uncontrolled outdoor air introduction into HVAC systems. Key topics covered in the podcast: Tim De Stasio's background and transition to HVAC consulting and training The importance of supplementary dehumidification in various climates Selecting and sizing dehumidifiers based on peak latent load and real-world performance The impact of static pressure on dehumidifier output capacity The necessity of addressing envelope and ductwork issues before installing dehumidifiers Strategies for controlling dehumidifiers in conjunction with AC systems Myths about dehumidification, including misconceptions about variable speed equipment and ERVs The potential risks of uncontrolled outdoor air introduction and the importance of proper ventilation strategies Resources for learning more about dehumidification and HVAC best practices   Contact Tim at timdestasiohvac@gmail.com or follow him on LinkedIn HERE. You can also follow David Schurk on LinkedIn HERE. Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.  Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android.   Subscribe to our YouTube channel.  Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

On this episode of The Build Show Podcast, Matt discusses the importance of ventilation with expert Corbett Lunsford, who you may know from his PBS Series Home Diagnosis. They explore the critical role ventilation plays in maintaining healthy indoor air quality and Corbett shares insights into designing effective HVAC systems.The conversation emphasizes the importance of air circulation, pollution capture, and filtration in residential buildings. They highlight the advantages of using Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) over traditional ventilation methods, particularly in tightly built homes. Corbett explains how ERVs can improve air quality and balance humidity, making homes more comfortable and energy efficient.Matt shares his personal experience with different ventilation strategies. They discuss practical tips for installing and commissioning ERVs, emphasizing the need for proper ductwork and air balancing. Corbett advises builders to prioritize mechanical ventilation systems that go beyond basic bath fans to ensure whole-house air quality.The episode also touches on the importance of kitchen exhaust systems and makeup air solutions. Corbett recommends consulting tools like RedCalc for accurate ventilation design and encourages builders to stay informed through educational resources.Resources:RedCalc(Ventilation calculators): https://redcalc.comASHRAE Weather Data App: https://ashrae-medio.infoHome Diagnosis(PBS series): https://homediagnosis.tvFind Corbett on the Web:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HomePerformanceLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/corbettlunsford/Website - https://buildingperformanceworkshop.comFind Matt and The Build Show on the web:Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisingerInstagram: @risingerbuild and @thebuildshowTikTok: @thebuildshowYouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildshowWebsite: https://risingerbuild.com/ and https://buildshownetwork.com/Join us at Build Show LIVE this November 7-9 in Austin, TX. Click here to stay in the know. Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.

In this short Q&A podcast episode, Bryan answers Jeremy's question about checking the charge on rooftop units, and he gives some RTU tips. Rooftop units often come in sets, so you can use a thermal camera to look at all of the RTUs and compare them. A thermal imaging camera may even show you where subcooling begins in the condenser, which can be a useful diagnostic hack. Try to avoid hooking up gauges each time you check the charge on a rooftop; RTUs have a fixed factory charge, and losses from your gauges can add up over time. Your senses will also come in handy; check for odd sights, sounds, and smells. Checking suction pressure and superheat is less risky and imperfect, but it'll give you some diagnostic data. You can also check discharge temperatures to check for signs of compressor overheating (remember: 225 stay alive).  Here are some tips for RTUs: Get familiar with the service manual and wiring diagrams; these items will help you with the job and help you build on your knowledge of RTUs in general. Make sure you have all of your materials at the ready, including extra screws. Make sure you have access to the BAS system, if necessary. Safety is critical on rooftop units, especially when it comes to ladders, lockout/tagout, and ensuring that you have safe access to the unit (this burden is often on the client).  Pay attention to specialized equipment, including ERVs and economizers. Be mindful of curb installation, transformer taps, and phase monitoring, as those items may not be set up properly. Build up a basic working knowledge of variable frequency drives or VFDs (or know where to find information about them; THIS livestream is a good start), Keep systems clean to prevent overheating. Prevent oil logging whenever you have to replace a compressor.   Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.  Purchase your virtual tickets for the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.  Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android.   Subscribe to our YouTube channel.  Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

Brian Johnson, the visionary CEO of Senergy360, is at the forefront of redefining healthy living by constructing homes that embody holistic principles for today's evolving world incorporating modern cutting edge technologies using proven practices for multigenerational homes. With over two decades of experience as a licensed general contractor and a solid background in the lumber industry, Brian's expertise is unparalleled. His commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by his triple certifications from the Building Biology Institute, a testament to his dedication to health, performance, wellness, and longevity. Under Brian's leadership, SENERGY360 is on a mission to democratize access to advanced technologies and systems for creating holistic living spaces. The firm offers top-tier services, including healthy home building and land development, environmental assessments, healthy home specifications and project management for all types of construction , serving clients across the United States and internationally.   Senergy360 Website: www.senergy360.com   Work With Me: Mineral Balancing HTMA Consultation: https://www.integrativethoughts.com/category/all-products  My Instagram: @integrativematt My Website: Integrativethoughts.com   Advertisements:   Valence Nutraceuticals: Use code ITP20 for 20% off https://valencenutraceuticals.myshopify.com/   Zeolite Labs Zeocharge: Use Code ITP for 10% off https://www.zeolitelabs.com/product-page/zeocharge?ref=ITP Magnesium Breakthrough: Use Code integrativethoughts10 for 10% OFF https://bioptimizers.com/shop/products/magnesium-breakthrough Just Thrive: Use Code ITP15 for 15% off https://justthrivehealth.com/discount/ITP15 Therasage: Use Code Coffman10 for 10% off https://www.therasage.com/discount/COFFMAN10?rfsn=6763480.4aed7f&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6763480.4aed7f   Chapters:   00:00 Introduction and Background 02:54 From Building to Health 06:01 The Importance of Building Materials 08:06 Protecting Against Toxic Exposure 11:35 The Lifelong Process of Detoxification 23:46 Building Harmonious and Healthy Homes 25:44 Being in Tune with Nature in Location Selection 28:14 Preventing Mold Growth in New Builds 35:41 Auto Shut-off Valves for Water Leaks 47:18 The Presence of VOCs in New Builds 52:04 Choosing Low or Non-VOC Materials 52:56 Creating a Healthy Home: Non-VOC Materials and Natural Building 55:09 The Importance of Ventilation and Airflow in Building Design 56:24 The Role of Negative and Positive Ions in a Healthy Living Environment 59:47 Air Filtration Systems: Energy Recovery Ventilators and HEPA Filters 01:08:06 The Cost of Building a Healthy Home and the Potential for Affordability   Takeaways:   Building homes that are resistant to mold and other toxins is crucial for maintaining a healthy living environment. Toxic exposure, such as mold and chemicals, can have a significant impact on health and should be addressed. Considering the geographic landscape and harmonizing the energy of the environment is important when building homes. Working with building biologists and architects can help create harmonious and healthy living spaces. Being in tune with nature is important when selecting a location for a home. Proper inspection and drying of lumber is crucial to prevent mold growth. New builds often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful. Choosing low or non-VOC materials is important for a healthier indoor environment. Building a healthy home involves using non-VOC materials, proper ventilation, and natural building materials. Negative ions, which are found in nature, help create a grounding and balanced atmosphere. Air filtration systems, such as energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and HEPA filters, are essential for maintaining clean indoor air. The cost of building a healthy home can range from 10% to 30% more than a standard home, but as more people adopt these practices, the cost may decrease. Collaboration with architects, builders, and manufacturers is crucial in promoting and implementing healthy home practices.   Summary:   Brian discusses his background in building healthy homes and how he got into the field. He shares his experience with mold exposure and the importance of creating homes that are resistant to mold and other toxins. He also talks about the impact of toxic exposure on health and the need for detoxification. Brian emphasizes the importance of considering the geographic landscape and harmonizing the energy of the environment when building homes. He highlights the role of building biologists and architects in creating harmonious and healthy living spaces. In this part of the conversation, Brian and Matthew discuss the importance of being in tune with nature when selecting a location for a home. They also talk about the prevalence of mold in new builds and the use of moldy lumber. Brian emphasizes the need for proper inspection and drying of lumber to prevent mold growth. They also discuss the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in new builds and the importance of choosing low or non-VOC materials. In this conversation, Brian from SENERGY360 discusses the importance of building a healthy home and the various factors that contribute to a healthy living environment. He emphasizes the use of non-VOC materials, proper ventilation, and natural building materials. Brian also touches on the significance of negative and positive ions in creating a balanced and grounding atmosphere. He explains the role of air filtration systems, the cost of building a healthy home, and the potential for future affordability as more people adopt these practices.   Keywords: building healthy homes, mold resistance, toxic exposure, detoxification, geographic landscape, harmonizing energy, building biologists, architects, nature, location selection, home building, mold, moldy lumber, inspection, drying, VOCs, new builds, low VOC materials, healthy home, non-VOC materials, ventilation, natural building materials, negative ions, positive ions, air filtration systems, cost of building, affordability

Episode Description: Join Fazale “Fuz” Rana and Jeff Zweerink as they discuss new discoveries taking place at the frontiers of science that have theological and philosophical implications, including the reality of God's existence.   ERVs and Embryo Development For many people, the shared ERV (endogenous retrovirus) sequences in the human and great ape genomes evince common ancestry and an evolutionary origin for humanity. Yet, new discoveries about the physiological role of ERVs suggest another interpretation for why they appear in the human genome. In this episode, biochemist Fuz Rana discusses the latest insight into ERV molecular biology and explores the question, “Can a creation model explain the occurrence of ERV sequences in the human genome?” References:   PODCAST LINK:   Endogenous Retroviruses Shape Pluripotency Specification in Mouse Embryos   Additional Resource: Insights about Suppressyn Support Creation Model View of ERVs     YOUTUBE LINK:   Sergio de la Rosa et al., “Endogenous Retroviruses Shape Pluripotency Specification in Mouse Embryos,” https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adk9394   Fazale Rana, “Insights about Suppressyn Support Creation Model View of ERVs,” https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/the-cells-design/insights-about-suppressyn-support-creation-model-view-of-ervs     Just the Right Amount of Water Most people know that life depends on Earth's oceans, but the continents play an equally critical role in Earth's capacity to support life. However, a planet's ability to have land relies on having just the right amount of water. Too little and there are no oceans at all but too much and the continents never rise above the ocean's surface. One factor that influences the amount of surface water is the planet's capacity to store water in its interior. Recent studies indicate that the ancient earth could store much less water than today. Therefore, doubling the amount of water on Earth would have prevented the formation of continents that rise above the oceans and stymied Earth's capacity to support life.   References:   PODCAST LINK:   Constraining the Volume of Earth's Early Oceans with a Temperature-Dependent Mantle Water Storage Capacity Model   YOUTUBE LINK:   Junjie Dong et al., “Constraining the Volume of Earth's Early Oceans with a Temperature-Dependent Mantle Water Storage Capacity Model,” https://doi.org/10.1029/2020AV000323

Ervs is back for another story from his hometown in Antique. Ready ka na ba? Welcome to Santelmo Society! Listen for free via: bit.ly/PhCampfireStoriesLike, Follow and Join us in our social media channels!Email Address: campfirestoriesph@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/campfirestoriesphX: https://x.com/campfirestoryphInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/campfirestoriesphYoutube:https://bit.ly/PhCampfireStoriesYTMessenger: https://m.me/ch/AbYMxBMNFZA6gEpa/You can send over your support thru the following platforms:via Patreon patreon.com/campfirestoriesphvia GCash +639457784678via Paypal earlm.work@gmail.comAudio Production by The Pod Network Entertainment #podcastph #philippinecampfirestories #santelmosocietyDISCLAIMER Isang paalala: Ang susunod kabanata ay naglalaman ng mga salita at pahayag na maaring magdulot ng takot, pangamba at pagkabahala sa mga nakikinig lalo na sa mga mas nakababatang gulang. Huwag magpatuloy kung kinakailangan.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/philippinecampfirestories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 475 High Performance Building Supply conducted a round of focus groups asking North American Passive House practitioners what new Passive House materials and components they needed, one clear message kept coming through: give us a new alternative for HRVs and ERVs. Enter Brink and their FLAIR line, now available in North America through 475. In this special Component Podcast episode, Gabrielle O'Grady of 475 and Arthur Dijkstra of Brink discuss the FLAIR units and their exemplary performance in efficiency, power consumption, size, quiet, and cost. They also share the history of HRV/ERV development in Europe and the role that Brink has played over the decades in driving the evolution of this technology that is so vital to Passive House practice.https://475.supply/products/brink-flair-erv-hrvhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_recovery_ventilationThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

Listeners share their thoughts on storm shutters, LED light solutions, ERVs vs. HRVs, and contractor licensing. The crew takes questions on writing good contracts, testing DWV systems, and common problems with modular homes.

What Are the Key Differences Between ERVs and HRVs?As the names above explain, ERVs are ventilators that recover energy while HRVs recover heat. But how exactly are they different? The first key variance is that HRVs only recover heat whereas ERVs recover both heat and humidity. This is explained later on in the podcast.Additional differences between ERVs and HRVs include the following:• HRVs are prone to condensation and require drain pans. ERVs don't experience this and don't need drain pans.• HRVs cannot be installed in any orientation because of their drain pans. ERVs can be installed in multiple orientations.• HRVs must go through an active defrost, which limits ventilation potential. ERVs don't need defrost, which maximizes energy efficiency and ventilation potential.• HRVs can only be installed in colder northern climates. ERVs can be installed in any climate.Before continuing on, let's take a more detailed look at sensible vs. latent energy and why they both matter for ventilation. Sensible energy is dry heat and is the temperature that you can feel or sense. Latent energy is wet heat and is the energy a substance absorbs or releases when a phase change occurs, such as water converting into vapor. Unlike sensible energy, latent energy doesn't change the temperature and thus can't be felt. When looking at the combination of both sensible and latent energy, this is called total energy. ERVs recover total energy (heat and humidity), whereas HRVs only recover sensible energy (heat).As Marks outlined in the podcast, “the main difference between the two is an HRV only recovers sensible heat in the air exchange between the exhaust air and incoming air and an ERV recovers both total energy consisting of heat and humidity.” He continued with an example: “In the case where you have a controlled space with a desired humidity level, you're sending out humidity with the exhaust air if the outdoor air coming inside is too humid. This is the primary advantage of having an ERV over an HRV. An HRV will just warm up one airstream and cool down the other airstream.”Why are both sensible and latent energy important for ventilation? Agopian dug a little deeper on the topic. “If I tell you it's 95 degrees outdoors, you'll say it's hot, but if I say it's minus 20, then you'll say it's pretty cold. That's the actual temperature that your body senses, and this is sensible energy. The wet heat that is in concert with this dry heat is the humidity."Agopian continued, "when delineating the difference between sensible energy (the dry heat or actual temperature) and the latent energy (the moisture that's in the air) we realize that there are two parts to the equation to give you your total energy. Only focusing on one part of the energy equation is like leaving money on the table for something you're trying to buy. Of course you want to remove the heat in the summertime, but you also want to remove the humidity. And an ERV accomplishes both of these goals.”Going further Marks added that, “the work your AC has to do to remove the moisture is in some cases far in excess of what it takes to cool [the dry bulb temperature] down. An ERV has a special membrane in it and it's unique in that it enables moisture to pass through it. Air runs through [the membrane flutes] and transfers heat via sensible conduction but it also passes moisture via diffusion and that's different from an HRV. An HRV is just a plate-on-plate heat exchanger with very thin material.”How Are ERVs and HRVs Similar?After discussing the differences between ERVs and HRVs, the topic moved to the similarities. Marks kicked off the conversation with a quick summary. “They both recover energy. They save you money on your power bill. They both have balanced ventilation. Usually they both filter the air. The big core difference is the heat exchanger. Is it just exchanging sensible heat? That's an HRV. If it's exchanging sensible and latent heat, then it's an ERV.”Adding to this was Agopian. “A recovery ventilator, regardless of whether it's an ERV or an HRV, is used to displace air and filter the outdoor air that's coming in.” Along these lines, he noted that most HRVs use only Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 8 filtration and ERVs today have higher capabilities and they can adopt MERV 13 filtration. For background, MERV ratings measure a filter's capacity to capture particles of varying sizes. For example, a MERV 8 filter only captures 20% of the smallest particles while a MERV 13 filter captures 50%. Plus, MERV 13 filters are more effective at capturing larger particles.However, the key difference between the two systems—humidity control—was emphasized by Agopian. “An ERV gives you a little more help to dehumidify within the space as compared to an HRV that doesn't offer anything in terms of humidity control. With an ERV it's a lot more efficient than not.”Along those lines, Agopian addressed outdated thinking about ERVs vs. HRVs. “It used to be thought that ERVs are great only down south where there's high humidity. Well that's true, but as we go north, and even in Canada, we see a lot of humidity as well. Does it get as humid in New York City, Montreal, and Toronto as it does in Seattle? Yes. We do need ERVs in the summertime, and now more than ever, we have some humidity within spaces in the wintertime in the northern regions. An ERV will allow you to keep that humidity indoors.”Building on this point was Marks. “The misconception is, ‘I have an HRV because I live in a cold climate and an ERV doesn't provide much value.' But the wildcard is whether you are conditioning air in the winter. If you have a humidifier, you're evaporating water and adding a cooling load to heat up your house to turn that water into water vapor. If you ventilate, you send that water vapor outside and bring in cold air that will dry out your home. Conversely, an ERV resists humidity changes.”What Are the Main Negatives When Comparing ERVs and HRVs?The conversation then delved further into the differences between ERVs and HRVs, digging deeper into the main negatives. Marks explained, “When you value fresh air, you bring in more of it and you have to do energy recovery. An HRV recovers energy, but does that solve the entire problem? We know an HRV can't mitigate moisture coming into your home. An ERV is a great tool to bring in fresh air, recover humidity, save money and be energy efficient and healthy at the same time.”Discussing the operational differences between ERVs and HRVs was Agopian. “Number one, because you're not transferring humidity in an HRV, in wintertime humidity does condense and freeze up. All HRVs have an active defrost cycle in northern areas with snow. This means that for a period of time, ice needs to be melted and you have no ventilation. In addition, because you have defrost, there's a pipe dangling down from an HRV. Sometimes drains clog and you have a pool of water in your basement. An ERV is almost maintenance-free as compared to an HRV. Further, the goal as we move forward from all cognizant authorities is continuous ventilation. Thus, they're saying to use an ERV everywhere.”Summing up the podcast was Marks. “If you're operating at a temperature far below the freezing point, frost will start moving across the HRV heat exchanger until it's completely blocked. That's why HRVs have a defrost cycle, during which there's no more heat recovery. It's just exhausting air to thaw out the HRV. If you wanted to have equal performance, then you should oversize the HRV because it's not really doing any recovery during defrost. The winter performance of an ERV is far superior to an HRV.”

Ventilation is the introduction of outdoor air into an indoor space, and it has evolved over time. Some of the first research on the topic was done by James Billings, an 1870s Johns Hopkins researcher and physician who postulated that carbon dioxide (CO2) was an accurate measure of impurity emissions from the human body. He determined that there needed to be a certain amount of fresh air brought indoors to keep people healthy. Additionally, he also advocated for 60 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per person. Billings' findings hold up today, as most physicians, doctors and health professionals say the optimal ventilation rate is 50-60 CFM per person.However, there's pushback to implementing such a high ventilation rate because of the associated energy penalties. Indeed, this point was hammered home during the oil embargo days in the late 1970s when energy prices skyrocketed. At that time, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the industry went from 20-30 CFM per person down to five CFM per person to save energy.Fortunately though, the HVAC and engineering communities realized that such a low ventilation rate promoted serious health issues—some reversible and others irreversible—due to deficient indoor air quality (IAQ). Thus, in the mid-to-late 1980s, there was a change when the importance of cleaner and healthier indoor air for occupant health and wellbeing became clear. What's more, attention grew toward ERVs as an effective means to reduce ventilation energy use and costs.The criticality of high-quality indoor air was hammered home in the last 36 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Agopian noted, “IAQ has an immediate value. We know that there could be something in the air that you can't see, breathe, taste or touch that could technically kill you in two weeks. We need to understand that the quality of air has a direct and proportional impact on the quality of our lives.” He also explained that test scores in schools can improve anywhere between 12-18% if CO2 is lowered within the space. Further, better IAQ supports improved sleep and increased productivity. Indeed, he said that RenewAire practices what it preaches and provides a high CFM rate throughout the entire building. In some spaces, such as the training center, cafeteria and gym, there's absolutely no air recirculation.For Marks, he places a high value on having healthy IAQ for his family at home where his ventilation system brings in as much fresh air as possible. Marks said that in his residence he does 40 CFM per person, which is a tremendous amount of air. He stated, “I have two young daughters and I want them to be healthy and I want to make sure they're breathing the best-quality air possible. That's what I do for work so it only makes sense that I do it also for my kids. I would encourage other people to do the same thing because you might be surprised at the poor quality of your indoor air.”Marks summarized the four different ventilation strategies for homeowners to enhance IAQ:• Natural ventilation: This is the easiest option, which can be done by opening a window.• Exhaust-only ventilation: You can pull air out using an exhaust fan, typically via a bath fan, and air will reinfiltrate via any openings in the structure.• Supply-only ventilation: This is referred to as mechanical ventilation where you're bringing air into a structure and letting it seep out through little micro-openings inside a home.• Balanced ventilation: You're pushing in high-quality filtered air and pulling out air at the same time. Essentially, you're controlling the point of ingress and the point of exhaust for the air.Agopian followed up by saying that when we look at exhaust-only ventilation, back 20-30 years ago it was a different story because sealing integrity wasn't as tight as it is today. There were openings around windows or doors that provided direct access to the outside. So, when you exhausted and depressurized a structure, air would come inside under the door or between cracks in the windows.He continued saying that today, because of the tremendous sealing integrity of structures, air can no longer come through those direct openings. Instead, what you have now is air coming through the structure via a complex path in between studs, through the walls and over and in between insulation. Thus, you're bringing in air that used to be clean but might not be so anymore.Agopian then said that balanced ventilation is the assured way of replacing one cubic foot of stale indoor air with one cubic foot of fresh and clean outdoor air. He stated that this is the only way to guarantee a positive displacement of internally generated contaminants.When deciding on a particular ventilation strategy, another component to consider is if energy recovery should also be applied. Many people see it as an additional cost, but this isn't the case. Agopian explained why, “With energy recovery, you're recapturing the energy that you spent a lot of money on to cool and dehumidify or heat and humidify the outdoor air coming inside. So, when you look at balanced ventilation with energy recovery, we have paybacks that can be as little as two years to about four years. When considering a structure like a home, office building, condo, school or whatever it may be, these structures are built to last 25+ years. Thus, you have an initial cost for the first two to four years and after that the energy recovery system pays you back.”Taking the case further, Agopian stated “60 CFM is what we need in order to be healthy and productive within the built environment, in which we spend 90% of our time. But how do we rationalize that? How do we go from 15-20 CFM per person up to 60 CFM? The best way to achieving that goal while maintaining energy-code requirements is balanced ventilation with energy recovery applied.”Adding to this point was Marks. “I do 40 CFM at home, but I also do energy recovery so I don't have to pay the huge penalty. I value fresh air tremendously, especially for my kids. That means I'm bringing in more air, and more air means more energy recovery. Thus, if you value fresh air you're going to want to recover energy as well.”Closing out the podcast was Agopian with a quote from a study by Lawrence Berkeley Lab: “Overall, the number of reported statistically significant improvements in health with increased ventilation rates far exceeded the anticipated chance improvements in health.” What does this mean, asked Agopian? He said this shows that increasing ventilation will improve your health similar to other positive activities. Agopian concluded, “I'm not saying stop going to the gym, don't eat well or only sleep two hours a night. What I'm saying is keep those up and increase ventilation as well because it gives you just as much of a health benefit.”

After COVID-19, the criticality of high-level indoor air quality (IAQ) is clear. With invisible, odorless and potentially deadly indoor air contaminants swirling around, it's evident that increased ventilation is essential for safeguarding occupant health. This is especially crucial in tight structures that trap contaminants indoors.However, more ventilation requires more energy, which boosts costs and runs counter to decarbonization efforts. Plus, conventional ventilation systems can be tricky and time-consuming to operate. Not anymore. That's where the combination of smart controls and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) comes in to provide an effortless, energy-efficient and cost-effective solution. This is particularly true for residential and smaller commercial—or “resimmercial”—applications.This topic was covered during the latest episode of “IAQ IQ: Indoor Air Quality & You.” Host Michelle Dawn Mooney spoke with Nick Agopian, VP, Sales & Marketing at RenewAire and Ross Trethewey, Founder and Lead Engineer at TE2 Engineering. Agopian and Trethewey made it apparent that smart controls and ERVs are a smart choice for enhancing IAQ right now and in the future. Agopian stated, “Going forward, the market and updated codes will require an increase in ventilation rates to bring more outdoor air indoors. Smart-controlled sensors can monitor indoor air contaminants and activate boost-mode ventilation when levels get too high. Thus, smart controls will become a necessity to increase ventilation, lower the concentration of indoor air contaminants and enhance IAQ for yes safety, but also better health.”

Kevin Hart from HAVEN returns to the podcast to talk about ventilation in humid climates and some best practices for working on systems that focus on the V in HVAC. HAVEN focuses on IAQ management with the use of software technology. HAVEN started off with its central air monitor, and the company then developed a central air controller to help customers make their homes healthier. Fresh-air ventilation is one IAQ, but humid climates make it tricky to bring that air in; dumping “fresh” air into the structure without taking extra precautions can lead to high indoor humidity and even microbial growth.  ERVs, HRVs, and ventilating dehumidifiers are some traditional ventilation strategies for various climates; exhaust ventilation is also quite common but can pull hot, humid air through the building envelope. HAVEN is creating a more templated approach to ventilation; HAVEN uses whole-home in-duct monitoring and local weather data to get ideas of the conditions inside and outside the home to tailor fresh-air ventilation to each individual system's needs. HAVEN has partnered with several ventilating dehumidifier manufacturers, including Santa Fe and AprilAire; many of these manufacturers also use filtration to control the quality of incoming fresh air. Kevin and Bryan also discuss: HAVEN's journey during the COVID-19 pandemic Chemical interactions in our homes (VOCs and CO2) Exfiltration and infiltration The problem with industry standards and regulations Appropriate climates for ERVs, HRVs, and ventilating dehumidifiers Using dew point to control indoor and outdoor parameters Energy savings with HAVEN's technology Does a house need to “breathe?” HAVEN app   You can learn more about HAVEN's offerings for HVAC professionals at https://pro.haveniaq.com/ and get a discount on HAVEN's product bundle at https://www.trutechtools.com/ by using the coupon code haven2022. Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

What role does ventilation play in addressing global climate change? A lot, as it turns out. In the recent episode of “Indoor Air Quality And You," host Gabrielle Bejarano, recently spoke with Nick Agopian, VP Sales & Marketing at RenewAire LLC about how the key to countering climate change is through a three-pronged attack of decarbonization, building resiliency and energy recovery ventilation.Agopian revealed that the built environment is a big part of the problem, as its responsible for about 47% of global CO2 emissions. According to Agopian, “When we take a look at what's been happening in the last couple of thousand years compared to the last 20 million years, we see that the impact we have had as humans has been 10,000 times more dramatic than the last ice age. So, when we look at decarbonization, we look at the impact that us as human beings have had on earth.”For engineers, contractors and architects, lowering a building's overall energy consumption or energy load is a great decarbonization method. But how to approach this is tricky because a major contributor to the overall energy load is mechanical ventilation. Reducing airflow indoors to lower energy use is dangerous, as it creates health and safety issues for occupants. As buildings get tighter, they seal in contaminants, causing deficient indoor air quality. Typical contaminants include off-gassing from carpeting, furniture and building materials, excess humidity and mold, odors, cooking and cleaning fumes, CO2, hair and fibers. So how can we lower energy consumption without comprising occupant health? The answer, according to Agopian, is energy recovery ventilation.Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are designed to meet decarbonization's stringent energy efficiency requirements. They can provide increased ventilation indoors without increasing the overall energy load, as ERVs reuse otherwise-wasted total energy from the exhaust airstream to condition the incoming outdoor air.But what about building resiliency, how does it fit into the story? Like decarbonization, building resiliency is a tool in addressing climate change. And like decarbonization, energy recovery ventilation can play a big role in this green-building method. Building resiliency is focused on increasing ventilation indoors to not only ensure occupant health and safety but also to protect the life cycle of building. Safeguarding buildings from moisture/mold and helping them to stay online during and after major climate events (like hurricanes, blizzards or heat waves) are some of the reasons that cognizant authorities like ASHRAE and CIBSE advocate for designing and operating mechanical systems that are focused on building lifecycles rather than just energy efficiency or occupant comfort.In sum, with energy recovery ventilation, the built environment can have increased ventilation (building resiliency) without increasing the energy load (decarbonization) and address climate change issues.Decarbonization can help reduce CO2 emissions by up to 47%.Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are designed to meet decarbonization's stringent energy efficiency requirements while still providing increased ventilation.RenewAire ERVs lower ventilation loads by up to 70%.

Join Fazale “Fuz” Rana and Jeff Zweerink as they discuss new discoveries taking place at the frontiers of science that have theological and philosophical implications, including the reality of God's existence.   The Design of ERVs For many people, the shared ERV sequences in the human and great ape genomes evince common ancestry and an evolutionary origin for humanity. Yet, new discoveries about the physiological role of ERVs—such as their contribution to the innate immune system—makes possible another interpretation of ERVs in the human genome. In this episode biochemist Fuz Rana discusses the latest insight into ERV molecular biology, exemplified by the ERV-encoded protein supressyn, and explores the question: “Can a creation model explain the occurrence of ERV sequences in the human genome?”   Resources: Evolution and Antiviral Activity of a Human Protein of Retroviral Origin  Additional Resources: Endogenous Retroviruses Help Fight Tumors Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) Protect Early-Stage Human Embryos   AI, Optimism, and Long Life In an era where AI developments show great potential and great peril, ongoing research indicates that optimism plays an important role in increased longevity and health. These results affirm a repeated refrain from Scripture that we are to rejoice, be content, and have hope in all situations. We will discuss the studies leading to this conclusion as well as make the important biblical connections.   Resources: Dual Use of Artificial-Intelligence-Powered Drug Discovery Optimism, Lifestyle, and Longevity in a Racially Diverse Cohort of Women

"IAQ IQ: Indoor Air Quality and You" podcast, host Tyler Kern chatted with Nick Agopian, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at RenewAire LLC, and Brian Simmons, RenewAire Senior Technical Sales Support Specialist, regarding ERVs and home ventilation. They discussed: Purpose of ventilation ERVs and why we need them in the HVAC industry The importance of codes in HVAC Previously, providing healthy and efficient ventilation was not the priority of the home building industry. Therefore, air quality in residential spaces lagged in comparison to commercial spaces. The energy crisis of the 1970s and 80s highlighted this gap in residential ventilation. Traditional homes were poorly insulated and prone to leaky airways, which increased the energy consumption for heating and cooling systems to optimize the air quality within the space. Energy recovery ventilation has emerged as a technology that allows contractors and home builders to provide increased ventilation without increasing energy use. “Energy recovery ventilation offers balanced ventilation in the home,” noted Agopian. All homes must be properly ventilated, most times by opening adjacent windows. However, in periods of extreme temperatures, this may be impossible. ERV removes one cubic foot of stale or contaminated air within the internal environment. It recovers the energy within the air and uses it temporarily to purify another cubic foot of outdoor air to replace the contaminated air. Therefore, ERV is a cost-effective solution that offers balanced ventilation within a closed system. The HVAC industry is regulated by codes, which are in place to ensure customers get the minimum amount of quality and design advocated as the standard required by law. For contractors and home builders, providing the bare minimum amount of ventilation required by law is hardly ideal. In a post-pandemic society, more homeowners are more conscious of the air they breathe and are asking for a higher standard of indoor air quality. As Agopian asserts, there is a need to rewrite the standards to upgrade the codes such that the goal of balanced ventilation can be achieved.” Another reason why it might be time to re-evaluate the current ventilation code is that the standard for commercial buildings is different from residential buildings. For a time, home ventilation was an afterthought within the industry. According to Simmons, “ERVs are a long-term investment, an upgrade from the usual ‘minimum'—air is clean while heating and cooling are conserved.” This is due to the difference in the intensity of the populace and activities within the space. Previously, experts thought the bathroom was the primary source of air contamination in the home. However, activities in the kitchen are the primary source of pollution—gas stoves generate an unsafe level of air pollution.  Since we have established the fact that the major source of pollution in the house is mostly the kitchen, we need to take care of our environment. Whatever air is in such places is what we breathe in. Good ventilation doesn't cost so much, at least anything for good health. HVAC specialists must take it upon themselves to educate contractors on the importance of ERVs. These contractors need to evolve and accept the new technology so they can offer it to the customers.  Finally, ERVs can be put in new and existing buildings. Installing ERVs is straightforward and can be done by HVAC companies. Maintaining an ERV is pretty easy. Here are some tips to maintain an ERV: Avoid putting oil into it Check the outside vents to remove any trapped dirt Check and replace the filters on the inside vents

"IAQ IQ: Indoor Air Quality and You" podcast, host Tyler Kern chatted with Nick Agopian, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at RenewAire LLC, and Brian Simmons, RenewAire Senior Technical Sales Support Specialist, regarding ERVs and home ventilation. They discussed: Purpose of ventilation ERVs and why we need them in the HVAC industry The importance of codes in HVAC Previously, providing healthy and efficient ventilation was not the priority of the home building industry. Therefore, air quality in residential spaces lagged in comparison to commercial spaces. The energy crisis of the 1970s and 80s highlighted this gap in residential ventilation. Traditional homes were poorly insulated and prone to leaky airways, which increased the energy consumption for heating and cooling systems to optimize the air quality within the space. Energy recovery ventilation has emerged as a technology that allows contractors and home builders to provide increased ventilation without increasing energy use. “Energy recovery ventilation offers balanced ventilation in the home,” noted Agopian. All homes must be properly ventilated, most times by opening adjacent windows. However, in periods of extreme temperatures, this may be impossible. ERV removes one cubic foot of stale or contaminated air within the internal environment. It recovers the energy within the air and uses it temporarily to purify another cubic foot of outdoor air to replace the contaminated air. Therefore, ERV is a cost-effective solution that offers balanced ventilation within a closed system. The HVAC industry is regulated by codes, which are in place to ensure customers get the minimum amount of quality and design advocated as the standard required by law. For contractors and home builders, providing the bare minimum amount of ventilation required by law is hardly ideal. In a post-pandemic society, more homeowners are more conscious of the air they breathe and are asking for a higher standard of indoor air quality. As Agopian asserts, there is a need to rewrite the standards to upgrade the codes such that the goal of balanced ventilation can be achieved.” Another reason why it might be time to re-evaluate the current ventilation code is that the standard for commercial buildings is different from residential buildings. For a time, home ventilation was an afterthought within the industry. According to Simmons, “ERVs are a long-term investment, an upgrade from the usual ‘minimum'—air is clean while heating and cooling are conserved.” This is due to the difference in the intensity of the populace and activities within the space. Previously, experts thought the bathroom was the primary source of air contamination in the home. However, activities in the kitchen are the primary source of pollution—gas stoves generate an unsafe level of air pollution.  Since we have established the fact that the major source of pollution in the house is mostly the kitchen, we need to take care of our environment. Whatever air is in such places is what we breathe in. Good ventilation doesn't cost so much, at least anything for good health. HVAC specialists must take it upon themselves to educate contractors on the importance of ERVs. These contractors need to evolve and accept the new technology so they can offer it to the customers.  Finally, ERVs can be put in new and existing buildings. Installing ERVs is straightforward and can be done by HVAC companies. Maintaining an ERV is pretty easy. Here are some tips to maintain an ERV: Avoid putting oil into it Check the outside vents to remove any trapped dirt Check and replace the filters on the inside vents

Did you know that your indoor air can be 5x more polluted than outdoor air? I've seen a lot of homeowners not paying enough attention to the air they breathe inside their homes, but it could be filled with allergens, pollutants, dust, and a lot more things we don't see that in turn could be affecting their health. It's important to take the right steps to make our homes a healthier living environment, which includes improving our indoor air quality. Luckily there are many simple solutions out there that can help improve the indoor air quality in your home such as ERVs, air purification systems, and ventilation fans. In this podcast episode, I'm joined by Sonny Pirotta, Panasonic Indoor Air Quality Expert and Bob Deeks, President of RDC Fine Homes as we talk about the importance of indoor air quality and what every homeowner should know and products you should have to improve the indoor air quality in your home!

https://youtu.be/jt5vbXnc8OoMatt and Sean discuss large-scale passive buildings and the different technologies available today to make it happen. Everything from regenerative braking on elevators, to solar panels plus battery energy storage, to ERVs and air tight construction. Watch the Undecided with Matt Ferrell episode, “How Big Can You Make a Passive House?”: https://youtu.be/J4aTcU6Fzoc?list=PLnTSM-ORSgi7UWp64ZlOKUPNXePMTdU4dYouTube version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/stilltbdpodcastGet in touch: https://undecidedmf.com/podcast-feedbackSupport the show: https://pod.fan/still-to-be-determinedFollow us on Twitter: @stilltbdfm @byseanferrell @mattferrell or @undecidedmfUndecided with Matt Ferrell: https://www.youtube.com/undecidedmf  ★ Support this podcast ★

#058 – Business, like life, has lots of uncertainties. And Casey Grey grew up accustomed to these uncertainties as a child of parents who went through divorce and remarriage four times. As the founder of The Conscious Builder, Casey believes that to be something more, one must learn how to weather uncertainties from different life aspects.Here, Casey talks about his favorite quote, what he learned from his child, why routines are necessary for entrepreneurs, and how The Conscious Builder keeps homes fresh and sustainable with ERVs.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:·         The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty that you can live with·         How did The Conscious Builder come to be?·         Casey Grey on the significance of routines·         What makes sustainable homes?·         The cheaper options are more expensive in the long-runCHECK OUT CASEY GREY:Growing up, Casey was always building - everything from Lego to tree forts. From his father, he learned the importance of teamwork through competitive team sports. From his mother, he learned the value of hard work and dedication as he watched her grow and eventually sell her business. When Casey started his construction career at the age of 17, he put his childhood lessons to work and never looked back.When Casey first started his construction company, it was just like every other company. He just wanted to do good work and make a good living. It was not until he and his wife, Natasha, attended their first Tony Robbins event in 2012 that his mindset shifted, and he started to ask himself, "Why?" Then, when he and Natasha found out they had a child, everything clicked. If he was going to tell this child that he could do anything he wanted and become whoever he wanted, he would have to lead by example. He wanted his son to be proud of him and look up to him. He wanted to be the hero in his son's eyes.That's when The Conscious Builder was born.FREE GIFT FROM GUEST:https://www.consciousbuilderacademy.com/course/top-5-things-starting-construction-businessBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEMailer Lite - Email marketing your way! Start For FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.08.29.505641v1?rss=1 Authors: Newman, A. G., Sharif, J., Bessa, P., Zaqout, S., Brown, J., Nakayama, M., Mueller, S., Böhm-Sturm, P., Ohara, O., Koseki, H., Singh, P., Tarabykin, V. Abstract: In aging cells and animal models of premature aging, heterochromatin loss coincides with the transcriptional activation of normally silenced endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). Here we show that loss of heterochromatin maintenance and de-repression of ERVs results in neurodegeneration via the Complement cascade in an age dependent manner. We discovered differential contributions of HP1 proteins to ERV silencing where HP1{gamma} is necessary and sufficient for H4K20me3 deposition and HP1{beta} deficiency is detrimental to DNA maintenance methylation. Progressive ERV de-repression in HP1{beta}/{gamma} DKO mice was followed by stimulation of the integrated stress response, the induction of Complement 3+ reactive astrocytes and increased infiltration and activation of microglia. This chronic inflammatory state coincided with age-dependent reductions in dendrite complexity and cognition. Our results demonstrate the importance of preventing loss of epigenetic maintenance, as this will be the only way postmitotic neuronal genomes can be protected and/or renewed. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by PaperPlayer

Join Hugh Ross and Fazale “Fuz” Rana as they discuss new discoveries taking place at the frontiers of science that have theological and philosophical implications, as well as new discoveries that point to the reality of God's existence. The Milky Way Galaxy's supermassive black hole is exceptionally small, about 35 times less massive than spiral galaxies of a similar size. The first-achieved image of its event horizon by the Event Horizon Telescope reveals an exceptionally quiet radiation level. What is the intensity and variability of our galaxy's supermassive black hole's radiation just outside its event horizon? What do this intensity and variability imply for advanced civilization on Earth? How much longer can we count on our galaxy's supermassive black hole being quiet enough for civilization on Earth?    For many people, the shared ERV sequences in the human and great ape genomes evince common ancestry and an evolutionary origin for humanity. Yet, new discoveries about the physiological role of ERVs suggest another interpretation of ERVs in the human genome. Biochemist Fuz Rana discusses the latest insight into ERV molecular biology and explores the question: “Can a creation model explain the occurrence of ERV sequences in the human genome?” In this episode, Hugh and Fuz discuss these important topics. 

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about ERV and HRV technologies, including their appropriate applications and limitations. HRVs are heat recovery ventilators (not to be confused with heat recovery units or HRUs), and ERVs are energy recovery ventilators. The main difference between these two lies in the type of heat they move; HRVs only move sensible BTUs, whereas ERVs move sensible and latent BTUs.  As you bring air in from outside, you're discharging roughly the same amount of air (though modern technologies allow you to manipulate the pressure a bit more). The goal of the HRV or ERV is to recover some energy from the air exiting the structure and incorporate it into the incoming airstream. The airstreams cross over each other, and there is heat transfer but not air mixing. (ERVs also allow for the exchange of moisture.) Two fans drive the direction of energy flow, and a mesh or a porous desiccant medium facilitates the interaction between the airstreams. You will get some energy savings with an HRV or ERV, but savings are dictated by the amount of air moved and the temperature differential between the airstreams. In general, you will see HRVs up north (in low-humidity markets) and ERVs down south (in higher latent-heat markets). However, even ERVs aren't very effective in conditions with low energy transfer and high moisture UNLESS they're used with a ventilating dehumidifier. Bringing in fresh air is good for indoor health and safety, as it helps dilute the presence of VOCs, viruses, and harmful gases. HRVs and ERVs help us manage the air we bring in. Bryan also covers: Integrating ERVs with bathroom ventilation Safety considerations to consider for outdoor air Positive pressurization Demand ventilation with CO2 sensors Learning about ASHRAE 62.2   If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Neil Comparetto and John Semmelhack of the Comfort Squad join Bryan to discuss high-quality value design in a high-performance home. They explain how they design HVAC systems (heat pumps) for low-load homes in ways that are affordable, efficient, and comfortable. High-performance, low-load homes need to be energy-efficient AND comfortable, and it can be a challenge to get both. Manual J calculations aren't as common as they probably should be, and it can be difficult to get accurate data about air leakage, power consumption, and radiant gains as well. So, John and Neil try to collect their own data and do aggressive load calculations to avoid the fudge factors that are all too common. The air velocity inside the ducts tends to be lower in these sorts of systems. When you have relatively low airflow in the ductwork of high-performance homes, you don't need as many ducts or for the ductwork to be particularly large. With minimalistic ductwork, supply register placement, face velocity, and throw become very important, especially because those factors are responsible for air mixing. When the duct design conditions are right and the load has been matched, you typically get long runtimes and good air mixing. In many cases, John and Neil use variable-speed motors in their outdoor units that allow for high heating performance. The capacity ranges are wide, allowing the units to run even during exceptionally low-load conditions. They also use flex ducts due to their pre-insulation, noise suppression, and inexpensiveness; they just try to keep it sealed and avoid compressing the ductwork.  Neil, John, and Bryan also discuss: Monitoring load conditions with software Design considerations for filter grilles and central returns Room pressurization and airflow testing Transfer grilles The Coanda effect and curved-blade registers Vent sizing Flex duct installation best practices Duct fittings ERVs   If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Corbett Lunsford of Home Diagnosis joins Kaleb to record a podcast about comfort investigation on TV. The two of them discuss how comfort investigation works on TV shows, what Home Diagnosis hopes to accomplish, and some building performance tips. Home Diagnosis is mostly aimed at homeowners, but HVAC technicians would also benefit from the show, as it dives into science and testing. The show promotes consumer education and contractor accountability. Diagnostics and testing are absolute MUSTS for providing the best possible solutions and transforming your business. You put yourself in another league when you take measurements and have the data to create tailored solutions. In other words, you can't manage what you can't measure, and if you're not testing, you're guessing. The current paradigm shift in the industry has to do with custom designs. Physics, chemistry, and microbiology are all important facets of applied science to consider when coming up with a custom solution. Many buildings have distinct microbiological profiles, including bakeries with yeast or cheese production or aging facilities. Natural events and human activity can change these buildings' microbiological profiles. Ventilation is part of the equation of home performance, and it's a pretty delicate one that HVAC techs can control. When it comes to ventilation, we would be wise to avoid selling products we don't understand. Ventilation solutions may also be appropriate for one structure but inappropriate for another, so we need to think about the applications of these solutions. Corbett and Kaleb also discuss: Comfort vs. efficiency vs. control ERVs vs. HRVs and humidity How the market influences custom solutions Preview of challenges in Season 3 of Home Diagnosis Microbiology of structures   Learn more about Home Diagnosis at https://homediagnosis.tv/.  If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Those were sure a bunch of expensive RVs! We're just back from the record-setting Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa and in this week's RV Podcast episode we talk about that, give you a sneak peek at the race to build eRVs and answer in-depth a question about what's needed for a toad - a vehicle towed behind an RV.

Today's show is about mysterious siding stains and air exchangers. Bill raises his concerns and clarifications about air quality as it is one thing that homeowners must start working with starting the fall season. Reuben names and distinguishes the three types of mechanical ventilation: positive ventilation strategy, exhaust-only or point-source strategy, and balanced ventilation strategy. Tessa then adds the differences between these strategies, how they work and where they are most beneficial. She also discusses the multiple variables that affect the results when testing pressure and condensation inside the house. Bill and Reuben then share about interstitial condensation. They talk about recommendations on how to manage and test mechanical systems such as ducts, ERVs, and HRVs. They also discuss the right settings for machines and systems.

Do we really need dehumidifiers when we've got VRF units? How do dehumidifiers work? Why do we need dehumidifiers now when we've never had them before? These are valid questions that deserve scientific answers and we're here to dig in. Join Kristof as he interviews David Treleven and Nikki Krueger of Madison Industries (makers of dehumidifiers, ERVs, and many other innovative indoor air quality products).

Casey Grey joins an expert panel discussion on Innovative Technologies in New Home Builds at the 2021 SMARTNet Alliance Sustainability Showcase. GOHBA Ottawa's Executive director Jason Buggraff hosts, and RND construction's Roy Narendram and Chris Wiessflog of EcoGen Energy & Build round out the panel. If you can handle some less than stellar audio, you won't be disappointed with this episodes' conversation! One audience member even gets a little spicy. 01:13 - Chris Weissflog Introduction - EcoGen Energy & Build  - passive house and retrofit  2:32  - Casey Introduction   3:17 -  Roy Nandram Introduction - RND Construction 4:10  - What makes a house efficient: Chis  5:57 - Roy  6:48 - What's most important for the building envelope:  Casey - house as a system  8:14 -  What is short cycling: Casey 8:45 Recent projects that showcase energy efficiency: Casey - 161 Year old Stone Home Retrofit 10:59 - Chris - recent projects and his own passive house - ground source heat pump 13:02 - Roy  - Ottawa's 9 First Net zero development  14:07 - House as a system  - airtight and breath: Casey 15:42  - Roy heat exchanger  16:30 -  Air Vapour Barrier Systems: Roy  17:51`- Casey assume water gets in water assembly  19:12 - Chris  22:58 - Embodied Carbon: Casey    23:48 - Different Energy Rating's/Standards: Roy  26:35 - Passive House: Chris  29:37 - Automation in energy efficiency: Roy - thermostats,  fireplaces 31:12 - Chris  33:23  Casey - house as system: Don't mess with it.  34:21  Chris - education, like purchasing a vehicle  35:29 Question: old house with addition, cold floor on piers, getting passive solar and windows, what is the best way to insulate the floor? 36:51 Casey's Answer: Airtightness, "Fresh Air", ERVs, SHGC, triple pane glass  39:38 Roy add heating option  40:46 Chris prevent thermal breakage, energy advisor, grants   44:35 Question 2: heat loss on Chris's house  45:01 carbon dioxide monitor why not use one: Chris 49:15 Roy  - ventilation  50:00 - Casey - Voc's, 4 53:14 - Question: Sustainable countertop choice: Roy 56:55 - last comments: Chris direction of building codes  58:10- Casey: How do we speak to the general public, not preach to the choir? You need to experience these houses.    The Conscious Builder Website: www.theconsciousbuilder.com  The Conscious Builder on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeThir3L7kgmChWyHnKBWVw  The Conscious Builder on Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_conscious_builder/  Roy's Website: http://rndconstruction.ca/ Chris's Website: https://ecogenenergyandbuild.ca/ GOHBA's Website: https://www.ohba.ca/members/gohba-eo/ Special thanks to the other panelists and SMARTNet Alliance for having us SMARTNet Alliance Website: https://smartnetalliance.ca/  

On the Indoor Air Quality & You podcast, we've already discussed the role of energy recovery ventilation (ERV) in high performing, single-family homes, as well as the benefits of increased ventilation. In fact, in the wake of the pandemic, air quality is more critical than it's ever been.With that in mind, multi-family homes offer even more challenges. They have unique design considerations, including those around air quality, and air quality is a preeminent safety issue as residents carry concerns about contaminants and the spread of disease.Because of multiple inhabitants and the nature of shared spaces, the construction of these projects is evolving to focus more on high performance and strategies to help builders provide healthy and high-performing homes for residents.To learn more, host Tyler Kern welcomed Gayathri Vijayakumar, Principal Mechanical Engineer at Steven Winter Associates, and Nick Agopian, VP of Sales and Marketing for RenewAire, to this episode of the show.Overall, the most important concept in creating high performing, multi-family homes begins with a shared goal to do more than the bare minimum that construction codes require.Vijayakumar explained the Indoor airPLUS program, which was established by the EPA and is thematically similar to ENERGY STAR . “The program is prescriptive and [offers] a checklist of all the things for higher performance. First, the building must have ENERGY STAR standards, then layer on the indoor air quality elements,” Vijayakumar saidENERGY STAR standards relate to requirements for energy efficiency, insulation, air sealing and lighting efficiency for both single and multi-family homes, while Indoor airPLUS turns its attention to the layering of low-emitting materials, balanced ventilation requirements, radon levels, pest management and combustion appliance use regulations on top of those standards.These standards are more critical than ever, as Agopian noted that air quality is more on consumer radars since the pandemic. “We breathe in 31 pounds of air a day. Because of the pandemic, the quality of that air is concerning. Builders and developers are motivated to build healthier homes, because they can get more dollars per square foot.”What makes multi-family builds tricky, though, is the variety of air. “It's not just air from the outside. It's from neighbors and shared spaces,” Vijayakumar explained.One of the best ways to improve indoor air quality in multi-family homes is through energy recovery ventilation. For optimal quality, ERVs replace stale air and replenish it with fresh outside air, and they do it all while lowering energy costs and boosting energy efficiency.

The typical homeowner may believe that an energy-efficient home is a high-performing one, but that's actually not the case.According to Grace and Corbett Lunsford, the co-creators and hosts of TV show Home Diagnosis, energy efficiency is simply a byproduct of great home performance.In the second part of this Indoor Air Quality IQ podcast series, “What Most People Don't Know About Higher Performing-Homes,” they rejoin host Tyler Kern and show regular Nick Agopian of RenewAire to talk in greater depth about the role that energy efficiency and chemistry have in a healthy and high-performing home."High-performing homes have wonderful byproducts, and one of those byproducts is energy efficiency, but it's not the goal," Grace Lunsford said. "The ultimate, No. 1 thing is finding control and balance and tuning your home." The Lunsfords offered a simple, 1-2-3 look at the indoor chemistry and health of a home. No. 1 is chemicals, No. 2 is particles and No. 3 is microbes, all of which can have a negative effect on indoor air quality, particularly in combination with one another.To control those three aspects, homeowners can improve their indoor air quality with balanced ventilation via energy recovery (ERVs), dehumidification strategies, and powerful air filtration as potential ways to reduce those contaminants.In particular, ventilation is key for controlling those chemicals, particles and microbes. Installing an energy recovery ventilator can help to achieve this in a high-performing home.However, it's also important to remember that everything is about balance – instead of chasing one goal, like energy efficiency, chase a healthier home."People tend to think that if something's good, then more of that would be even better,” Corbett Lunsford said. “And, it turns out, because the home is a system, if you chase after energy efficiency … you are creating side effects." If you haven't listened to the first part of this podcast episode, make sure to do so to learn more about home performance. Additionally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for even more content on indoor air quality and the factors that impact it.

Over the years, companies have sacrificed proper building ventilation for increased energy savings by creating tighter building envelopes, investing in sealing technologies, and more.However, the coronavirus pandemic reinforced a basic idea in creating safer, healthier spaces: proper building ventilation is essential to the health of employees, and therefore, the community. But with this comes greater demands for ventilation systems, many of which now need to be updated to keep up with these changes. In this episode of Indoor Air Quality IQ, host Tyler Kern is joined by RenewAire's John Schilling and Nick Agopian, the company's Regional Sales Director and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, respectively. Nishant Kanapilly, the founder of Monaire, also joined the trio to discuss how business leaders can increase ventilation in their buildings while also decreasing ventilation energy costs. “In a post-COVID environment, increased ventilation is the solution to reducing the number of transmitted diseases,” Agopian said. “Now, we realize that ventilation is crucial for life, the physiological operation of the human body, and, now more than ever, safety indoors.” Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are the best way to rationalize increased ventilation while also maintaining the electrical profile of a building. “ERVs recover energy from the exhaust airstream and use it to pretreat incoming outside air – whether that air is cold, and we warm it up, or it's hot and humid, and we cool it and dehumidify it,” Schilling said. In transferring energy from air moving through the ERV, that energy is recovered and used to precondition incoming ventilation air, creating a “win-win” situation. That relationship also works to help ventilation systems handle an increased load of outside air, bumping up the ventilation rate tremendously. Kanapilly also touted ERVs' ability to lower energy spend on heating and cooling by, for a brand-new building, up to 65% and to offer outstanding ROI. “If you put money in an ERV, you're going to get back 70% return on your money,” he said. “[You make it back] in less than two years. … After it's paid back, then, for the next 15 years that this equipment is running, you are saving.” Subscribe to the IAQ IQ podcast and stay up to date on the latest news on all things indoor air quality.

A revolution is nothing without a solution. For indoor air quality (IAQ), dilution and filtration are two components of the ventilation equation. Nick Agopian, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at RenewAire, teamed up with Armin Rudd, Principal AB Systems, LLC, to add context to this IAQ IQ conversation. Agopian said ventilation and filtration try to complement each other to achieve good indoor air quality. Rudd said he starts the IAQ process with source control by local exhausts and removes the air contaminants at the point of generation. After that, Rudd said he employs whole dwelling ventilation, which utilizes dilution. “If you have a cooking source, an oven or a stovetop, you should be ventilating and removing all source contaminants before they diffuse within the structure,” Agopian said. Balanced ventilation strategies bring in outdoor air (supply air) and exhaust out stale, indoor air (room air), which is a much better solution than simply opening a window. Energy recovery solutions (ERVs) bring further benefits, helping to optimize energy usage by passively recovering otherwise-wasted energy to temper incoming outdoor air. There are also hybrid systems available, as well, and filtration can be used to enhance balanced ventilation. With the particles found in the air one of the leading concerns in IAQ, no matter what type of ventilation system is employed, it is critical to have a high-quality air filtration system. “A hybrid system is a supply ventilation system that would activate whenever the heating and cooling was called for by the thermostat,” Rudd said. “But then maybe use an exhaust strategy to fill in all the gaps when there is no heating and cooling; essentially supplementing that supply ventilation.” Balanced ventilation is the premier solution for controlling the spread of viruses like the novel coronavirus and driving better indoor air quality, which has notable benefits in terms of better overall health for occupants, cognitive improvement, elevated productivity and more. RenewAire's high-efficiency, static-plate enthalpy-core ERVs recover total energy and provide unmatched ease of use, reliability and savings. Indoor air quality matters – and RenewAire provides balanced ventilation strategies in producing that quality with a total package of ventilation.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.07.07.191668v1?rss=1 Authors: Jönsson, M. E., Garza, R., Sharma, Y., Petri, R., Södersten, E., Johansson, J. G., Johansson, P. A., Atacho, D. A., Pircs, K., Madsen, S., Yudovich, D., Ramakrishnan, R., Holmberg, J., Larsson, J., Jern, P., Jakobsson, J. Abstract: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) make up a large fraction of mammalian genomes and are thought to contribute to human disease, including brain disorders. In the brain, aberrant activation of ERVs is a potential trigger for neuroinflammation, but mechanistic insight into this phenomenon remains lacking. Using CRISPR/Cas9-based gene disruption of the epigenetic co-repressor protein Trim28, we found a dynamic H3K9me3-dependent regulation of ERVs in proliferating neural progenitor cells (NPCs), but not in adult neurons. In vivo deletion of Trim28 in cortical NPCs during mouse brain development resulted in viable offspring expressing high levels of ERV expression in excitatory neurons in the adult brain. Neuronal ERV expression was linked to inflammation, including activated microglia, and aggregates of ERV-derived proteins. This study demonstrates that brain development is a critical period for the silencing of ERVs and provides causal in vivo evidence demonstrating that transcriptional activation of ERV in neurons results in neuroinflammation. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info