RenewAire Introduces the Bypass Economizer Option for Rooftop HE Series ERVs

WAUNAKEE, WI –RenewAire^®, a Waunakee, WI-based manufacturer of HVAC and indoor air quality (IAQ) products, introduced a factory-installed bypass economizer option for its HE Series’ HE07, HE10, and HE1.5X commercial rooftop energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). RenewAire’s bypass economizer options are designed to lower building energy use and costs.

With our rooftop bypass economizer option installed, days with cool outdoor air conditions can provide “free cooling” for indoor spaces. Bypass is achieved by using two dampers: the exhaust damper (normally open) and the bypass damper (normally closed).

When outdoor conditions are ideal, the exhaust damper closes while the bypass damper opens, allowing 100% of the return air to circumvent the core and exhaust out of the back of the ERV. The supply airstream continues through the ERV filter and enthalpic core without being tempered by the exhaust airstream. With the supply airstream already at ideal temperatures, the HVAC system doesn’t need to condition it, thereby reducing energy consumption.

RenewAire’s rooftop bypass economizer option is factory-installed and saves contractors from time-consuming and costly additional fieldwork beyond that of a typical ERV.  Our rooftop bypass economizer option includes low leakage motorized bypass and exhaust dampers, a bypass weather hood, and either dry bulb or enthalpic controls. This system promotes single source responsibility for commercial owners in their warehouses, schools, hospitals, and many other facilities.

Using the same cabinet as standard HE rooftop ERVs, the bypass option adds only minimal weight. Additionally, roof curbs do not change or increase in size for this system. The low-profile bypass weather hood on these rooftop systems extends less than 19″ on the back side of the unit.

RenewAire’s bypass economizer option also features a programmable controller that allows the user to select setpoints. In the field, the dry bulb controller will activate bypass when the outside air temperatures are within the selected high and low setpoints. Likewise, the enthalpic controller will operate the unit in bypass mode when the outside air temperature is above the selected low outside air temperature setpoint and when the outdoor air enthalpy is lower than the return air enthalpy.

Each bypass system is manufactured to fit its respective unit’s CFM: HE07RT 166–694 CFM; HE10RT 250–1,100 CFM; HE1.5XRT 375–1,650 CFM.

Features of the bypass economizer option include:

• Complies with IECC, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and where local building codes require a 100% outdoor air economizer mode;
• Factory installation ensures performance specifications and reduces jobsite labor costs;
• All hoods come installed with weatherproofing and bird screens;
• MERV 13 filtration is optional because the HE Series’ adjustable airflow and its EC motorized impellers feature backward curved impellers that can accommodate the increased static pressure associated with denser filter media;
• AHRI 1060-certified cores ETL listed, NEMA Class 1 rated, and all dampers and fan motors are Class 1 AMCA-certified;
• Standard 2-year warranty on factory-installed bypass and all other HE Series parts that complements RenewAire’s industry leading 10-year warranty on the static plate core technology;
• Indoor units are also available with a bypass economizer option for the HE Series line.

Contact RenewAire for more information.