Zehnder ComfoAir 180: Revolutionizes Fresh Air Ventilation in Multi-Family Buildings
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Zehnder Comfoair180 unit
New buildings are going up all the time, along with progressively changing building codes. It can be hard to ‘design forward’ to keep up with the progression of energy efficiency. One of the biggest changes comes in the air sealing of the building envelope, calling for tighter sealing to aid in heat retention of the conditioned space. Tighter building envelopes mean little or no fresh air exchange, necessitating the need for supplemental ventilation for fresh air, and heat recovery to reduce temperature losses and maintain overall efficiency. Heat Recovery Ventilator systems like those from Zehnder are the best option for both tasks. Typical large systems used in single family homes can be bulky and difficult to design around for use in more modest sized multifamily residences, and smaller systems are generally designed for equally small spaces such as a studio apartment. Enter the Zehnder ComfoAir 180 (CA 180) with its medium size, high efficiency, and a unique installation method to hide it away. Using the CA 180 offers a chance to design around a system that is bespoke for apartments, condos, and other appropriately sized multi-family dwellings.
Zehnder Comfoair 180 fits neatly inside a kitchen Upper cabinet | Photo Courtesy of Zehnder
As mentioned, HRV systems are critical for mitigating one of the problems created by tighter building envelopes, the need for fresh air exchange. Without a way to bring in fresh air, there is a risk of the buildup of CO2 and VOCs, which can be harmful to the occupants. Other methods of bringing fresh air such as opening a window or ventilation fans can waste energy by letting cold air in during heating season, or cool air out during cooling season. An HRV alleviates this by passing the incoming and outgoing air through the heat exchanger core. The two streams of air never touch each other but pass through many small channels with a very thin membrane. This means the latent heat energy can transfer from the warm air to the cool air.
DIAGRAM OF ZEHNDER Comfoair180 installed in kitchen, over cabinets | Drawing courtesy of Zehnder
Zehnder HRVs are the most efficient in the US market, and the CA 180 boasts an efficiency rating of 89%, meaning that 89% of the heat energy can be transferred from one side to the other. The benefits of this are that less energy is needed to condition the indoor air, and the occupants receive continuous fresh air. In multi-family housing, where occupants live in close proximity and indoor pollutants can accumulate rapidly, HRV systems are especially important for maintaining occupant health and comfort. Because an HRV is constantly exchanging stale air for fresh air through filters, this aids in removing excess moisture, odors, and other airborne contaminants. New buildings contain a lot of components that off gas VOCs for quite some time, even after occupants move in. The continuous ventilation helps mitigate the buildup of these VOCs and makes for a healthier living space. Continuous ventilation, especially one that can deliver the right amount of CFM in your jurisdiction, also means you don’t need any additional noisy bathroom fans that can spike energy use. Since the air is always being exchanged, and exhaust vents are typically installed in bathrooms, moisture and odors never get a chance to linger.
One of the benefits the ComfoAir 180’s efficiency allows for is the savings it can bring to a building; these savings can be up to 50% compared with less efficient ventilation systems. This means more savings over time, a great boon for multi-family residential projects. The energy savings available from Zehnder HRVs are made possible by the use of highly efficient components such as the ECM fans, and by only running those fans at the speeds needed to keep fresh air circulating. The ComfoAir 180 can move up to 180 m3/hr., which is impressive and works fast when needed, like right after a shower with the use of a boost switch. These systems typically run at a much lower speeds than full blast though, while still able to provide ample air exchange.
Zehnder Comfoair 180 in a bathroom | Photo Courtesy of Zehnder
While they have many benefits, HRVs can present some challenges for architects to design around. Typical full sized HRVs, like Zehnder’s Q series, require lots of space for installation, sometimes even entire mechanical rooms. In smaller spaces like those in multi-family construction, there isn’t the space for a large system, and really, they have no need for something that large. The Zehnder CA 180 is the perfect fit for these scenarios, having been designed with these needs in mind.
Modern buildings and renovations are using less and less space to be as efficient as they can and pack as much as possible into the space they have. Instead of needing a mechanical room, or a cumbersome ceiling installation of the main unit (which often places it far away from outdoor walls, decreasing efficiency), the ComfoAir 180 is perfectly sized to fit in typical kitchen cabinet dimensions, allowing it to be hidden while still allowing for easy access to filters for twice yearly changes and maintenance. There are many options for the installation of the CA 180. The twin ducts coming off of the system can be adapted to any of our normal combination of manifolds, silencers, and Comfoflex which can easily be routed through walls and ceilings. When installed in a discrete location, such as the kitchen or even a bathroom cabinet, this system keeps the living space open without sacrificing valuable space.
The Zehnder ComfoAir 180 stands out among the competition and brings a lot of innovation and efficiency, while being tailored to multi-family residential buildings. The compact yet efficient design ensures that the CA 180 doesn’t sacrifice performance, savings, or occupant comfort. Architects and builders can start designing with the CA 180 in mind for the best experience, and impressive savings. The ComfoAir 180 is only available through Small Planet Supply within our USA sales territories.
Ready to get started designing and using the ComfoAir 180?
More about Zehnder systems is at our Zehnder HRV page. You can contact the Small Planet Supply USA or Small Planet Supply Canada sales staff to get your questions answered. Or if you’d like more time and detailed information, you can schedule a consultation using the button below.
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