As part of its High-Performance HVAC program, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) focuses on defining a very high efficiency dedicated outside air system (very high efficiency DOAS) configuration, including the various types of products and recommendations to designers and installers of systems. NEEA contracted with Red Car Analytics to conduct this report, which intends to build on NEEA’s focus to further develop an in-depth understanding of key efficiency parameters of very high efficiency DOAS configurations to inform further market adoption. The report evaluates an expanded set of parameters for heat recovery or energy recovery ventilation (HRV/ERV) and analyzes the impact of these expanded parameters on energy efficiency and first-cost effectiveness.
Report goals included:
- Analyzing the energy impacts of using lower or higher efficiency parameters in an HRV/ERV configuration compared to standard rooftop heat pump units and a basic efficiency HRV/ERV as defined by the Washington State Energy Code (WSEC)
- Identifying the first costs, net present value, and the payback period of lower and higher efficiency HRV/ERV configurations compared to standard rooftop heat pump units
- Outlining the additional benefits provided by each parameter and which configurations provide the best benefits
