If you're a home builder, HVAC contractor or real estate developer in parts of the country that experience freezing winters, you deeply understand the challenges that come with these conditions. To maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ), buildings and homes in cold climates could benefit from Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) that can perform reliably at extreme temperatures to confidently offer homes continuing fresh air and energy savings, no matter how harsh winter gets.

To meet airtightness targets and the evolving building codes in the country's coldest regions, next-generation, advanced ERVs like Panasonic's new Intelli-Balance^® Elite and Elite Plus+ Series ERV solutions can provide year-round comfort. The latest ERVs are typically installed in basements or mechanical rooms, allowing for innovative home designs and energy-efficient construction — without compromising indoor air quality, even in temperatures as low as -22°F.

How ERVs provide cleaner air quality and energy efficiency

ERVs work by continuously exchanging stale indoor air with fresh filtered air, recovering energy from the outgoing air to maximize energy efficiency. While tightly sealed buildings and homes can trap indoor pollutants, allergens and odors, Panasonic's newly designed Intelli-Balance^® Elite and Elite Plus+ Series ERVs provide continuous fresh air changes to dilute these contaminants and create a healthier breathing environment.

The heart of an ERV is its "energy recovery core," a sophisticated air exchanger that allows stale indoor air to pass through one set of channels while fresh outdoor air passes through a separate set. This way, hot humid outdoor air in the summer is cooled and dehumidified, while in the winter, cold dry outdoor air is warmed and its moisture content balanced.

By preconditioning the incoming air, ERVs reduce the load on a home's HVAC system, leading to more consistent comfort as well as tangible energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint.

Performance that builders, HVAC contractors and homeowners can count on

The newly re-designed Intelli-Balance^® Elite series ERVs are attractive solutions to builders and homeowners alike, due to their year-round performance, now with the ability to function effectively in temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit. They also achieve an impressive 90% sensible recovery efficiency (SRE) rating and reduced cubic feet per minute (CFM) loss at static pressure.

Other features include:

• Outstanding cold climate performance: Delivers optimal performance even in harsh conditions, while lowering energy loads and boosting Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores.
• Flexible performance options: Choose from four models with CFM ratings of 110, 120, 140 and 150 cubic feet per minute to suit different project sizes and needs.
• Exceptional static pressure management: Experience minimal CFM loss under static pressure. This means better airflow and energy efficiency, leading to satisfied clients and fewer callbacks.
• Versatile installation options: Simplify workflows with one SKU for both regular and mirror installations. Save time and reduce inventory complexity with flexible solutions.
• Advanced connectivity: Offer the modern convenience of remote operation with optional Wi-Fi controller to enhance the user experience.
• Code-ready compliance: Advance modern ASHRAE Standard 62.2 while addressing ventilation and moisture management concerns, and providing homeowners with filter replacement or system-maintenance notifications.
• Energy-smart homes: Boost building value with high SRE ratings and long-term energy savings.

By installing ERVs that maintain efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ) even in subzero temperatures, builders can avoid frozen ventilation systems, reduce moisture and comfort issues and ensure consistent performance — leading to greater homeowner satisfaction.

"Panasonic carries a legacy of delivering trusted, high-performance ventilation solutions, and the Intelli-Balance Elite series is no exception," said Leon Van Oostende, Group Sales Manager at Panasonic Eco Systems. "Engineered for resilience and efficiency, this series offers professionals a reliable, easy-to-install and code-compliant solution with superior performance even in the harshest climates."

For more information on the benefits of ERVs no matter how harsh winter gets, visit IAQ.na.panasonic.com/intelli-balance.