Energy Recovery Ventilator – ConsERV™ (ERV)
What is an EVR?
A commercial Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) is a mechanical ventilation system that exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while recovering energy. Unlike traditional ventilation systems that simply expel conditioned air, an ERV system incorporates a heat exchanger that facilitates heat/moisture exchange between the outgoing and incoming air streams.
This process preconditions the fresh air, reducing the workload on the building’s main HVAC system.
This technology is crucial for commercial and industrial buildings for several reasons. By recovering thermal energy and moisture from the exhaust air, an ERV lowers the total energy usage of the building’s HVAC integration, which can lead to significant cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint. It also allows for the downsizing of air conditioning systems because it reduces the latent load on the equipment. The continuous supply of fresh, filtered air improves indoor air quality by reducing pollutants, allergens, and odors that can build up in well-insulated, modern buildings.
ConsERV - Energy Recovery Ventilator
The Conserv is a specific type of ERV that utilizes a fixed-plate design and a patented nanostructured polymer material. This design allows it to transfer both sensible heat and humidity, eliminating the need for a condensation pan and drain systems. The nonporous membranes in the Conserv form a barrier against the transfer of pollutants, odors, and other contaminants between the air streams. It is known for high performance, reliability, and is suitable for various environments, including schools, commercial offices, and medical facilities.
Most ERV systems use wheels or porous materials that can leak odors or germs back into your building. ConsERV is different. It uses a patented material called Aqualyte™.
- Zero Cross-Contamination: The Aqualyte™ membrane is solid and non-porous. It acts as a total barrier. This means smells, smoke, and even tiny hydrogen molecules cannot cross over into your fresh air.
- Viral Defense: This material is proven to deactivate over 99.9% of coronaviruses and bacteria within minutes of contact.
- No PFAS Risk: Because it relies on solid polymer nanotechnology rather than chemical coatings, it is a future-proof choice as new “Forever Chemical” laws approach in 2026.
How does the ConsERV Work?
The Conserv™ EVR works like traditional systems incorporating
Like many ERVs the Conserv uses a stale air exhaust to draw in stale, polluted air from inside the building. Simultaneously, the ERV pulls in fresh air through a Fresh Air Intake. The two air streams pass through a central component called the energy recovery core. This core is a heat exchanger with a series of channels or plates that separate the two air streams while allowing energy (both heat and moisture) to be transferred between them. The two airstreams never mix. The next step is energy transfer, , In the winter, the warm, moist indoor air passes through the core and transfers its heat and some of its moisture to the cold, dry incoming outdoor air. This pre-heats and pre-humidifies the fresh air before it enters the interior. In the summer, the cool, dry indoor air transfers its “coolness” and some of its dryness to the warm, humid outdoor air. This pre-cools and dehumidifies the fresh air before it enters the building. Finally, the now-conditioned fresh air is then distributed throughout, and the stale air is expelled to the outside.
What Benefits Does The ConsERV EVR Offer?
The ConsERV Commercial Energy Recovery Ventilator offers several key benefits for commercial and industrial buildings HVAC systems including Indoor Air Quality, Energy Savings and Comfort:
Lower Your Costs (CAPEX and OPEX):
- ConsERV Reduces HVAC system energy consumption and OPEX by 20–67%.
- CAPEX reduced to 33% by downsizing associated HVAC equipment.
- A simple payback period of less than two years is common.
- Provides increased ventilation rates without an energy penalty.
Environmental Impact:
- Contributes to lower CO2 emissions, averting approximately 28 metric tons of CO2 per 1,000 CFM of fresh air.
- Offers a direct contribution to achieving corporate carbonless and ESG goals.
Health and Wellness:
- This type of system is ASHRAE’s recommended approach for pathogen (including COVID-19) management.
- It inactivates over 99.9% of coronaviruses that contact the Aqualyte membrane.
- Can lead to a 101% average cognitive improvement by doubling the ASHRAE ventilation rate.
- Lowers or has no triggers for asthma and allergies.
Specialized Solutions for Every Industry
- Commercial Kitchens: We use ERV exhaust as “makeup air” for kitchen hoods. This stops you from wasting money heating or cooling air that just gets sucked out by the stove fans.
- Warehouse & EV Charging: Aqualyte nanotechnology blocks hydrogen. This makes it the safest way to ventilate areas where electric forklifts or vehicles are charging.
- Schools & Offices: Doubling your fresh air ventilation can improve worker productivity and student test scores by 101% on average.
Viruses and bacteria are too large to pass through the hydrophilic regions that channel water between surfaces
The Conserv™ Line of EVRs
Whether you’re designing for a residence or a large commercial facility, Conserv offers multiple configurations to meet diverse needs like rooftop and modular units or high capacity commercial models.
N Series (up to 4,200 cfm)
Catalog units with compact size, common
options, competitive pricing, superior EC
impellers, and the best enthalpy cores available.
- Hugely popular size of unit for commercial buildings
- Highly Effective Cores
- State of the art Impellers
- Wide range of Options
D, J, Z Series (up to 20,000 cfm)
Semi-custom and custom systems with durable
aluminum construction.
- Highly customizable Frame and panel construction
- Highly Effective Cores
- State of the art Impellers
- Premium Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Construction
ConsERV H75i
Our Residential HVAC Energy Recovery System.
ConsERV Core
For installation in larger custom AHUs and OEM applications
Awards & Certifications
AHR Innovation Award
AHRI Certified
Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy
US Congress Recognition for Innovation
US Department of Energy
Forbes – 12 Energy Projects to Watch
Bright Lights Award
Foster & Sullivan Best Practices Award
Febrava Innovation Award
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Aqualyte™ membrane ever need to be replaced?
No. Unlike traditional filters or wheels, the Aqualyte polymer is durable and solid. It does not support mold growth and is designed to last the life of the unit. Maintenance is simple: just change your standard air filters and vacuum the core face once or twice a year.
How does an ERV help with humidity?
In the summer, the system pulls moisture out of the hot incoming air and moves it to the exhaust stream. In the winter, it can help keep your building from getting too dry. This keeps your occupants comfortable without overworking your HVAC system.
Is ConsERV™ certified for performance?
Yes. ConsERV is AHRI-certified. In independent tests, it shows a 67% latent (humidity) effectiveness, which is the highest in its class for fixed-plate systems.
Does this system help with LEED certification?
Absolutely. ConsERV helps buildings meet LEED v4.1 standards by significantly reducing carbon footprints. For every 1000 CFM of air treated, the system avoids roughly 28 metric tons of $CO_{2}$ emissions every year.
Want More Information?
Discover how we use Adiabatic humidification in our CEA Vertical Farming Systems and Solutions by clicking here.
You can also talk with one of our experts about your project or application requirements and see how Biz-Reps can help your organization.