Starchy
Oct 27, 2007, 05:43 PM
We have just come through a significant basement mold problem. In the completely finished basement, all of the exterior walls were torn out and the concrete and studs were treated for mold. Walltite polyurethane foam was sprayed on the concrete to avoid fiberglass insulation. New wallboard has just been installed and the yard has been re-graded to prevent water from coming in the windows, which was the root of the problem. Our house, a bungalow in west Quebec is 7 years old and is very tight. We heat the main floor with a wood stove and must keep a window cracked to keep it burning. The basement (2 bed rooms and my shop) is heated with electric baseboard heaters.
We are seriously considering an HRV by Venmar model 3100 with a HEPA filter. They have advised me that there is a limit to the footage of 8" flex duct than can be installed and this means that one basement bed room and our main floor office will not benefit from air circulation due to the layout of the vents for the HRV. Also, they advised me that if the house is kept at 22 oC (72 0F) and outside air is -20 oC ( 4 below zero F) that the recovered air will be 13 oC (55 oF). This will blow into one of the basement bedrooms and I think that is somewhat cool, especially for sleeping. Also, this air will be heated with electric baseboard and that costs money for this retired guy.
Questions: Are some HRV's more efficient at heat recovery than others? Is there such a thing as 240V fan assist baseboard heaters, to help move air around? Is an HRV essential?
Thanks for all replies.
We are seriously considering an HRV by Venmar model 3100 with a HEPA filter. They have advised me that there is a limit to the footage of 8" flex duct than can be installed and this means that one basement bed room and our main floor office will not benefit from air circulation due to the layout of the vents for the HRV. Also, they advised me that if the house is kept at 22 oC (72 0F) and outside air is -20 oC ( 4 below zero F) that the recovered air will be 13 oC (55 oF). This will blow into one of the basement bedrooms and I think that is somewhat cool, especially for sleeping. Also, this air will be heated with electric baseboard and that costs money for this retired guy.
Questions: Are some HRV's more efficient at heat recovery than others? Is there such a thing as 240V fan assist baseboard heaters, to help move air around? Is an HRV essential?
Thanks for all replies.