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An energy recovery ventilator and method for monitoring and maintaining an environmental condition inside a structure such as a house, building, or dwelling is provided. The ventilator may include a housing having mating halves of a molded polymeric material, first and second chambers disposed withi

An energy recovery ventilator and method for monitoring and maintaining an environmental condition inside a structure such as a house, building, or dwelling is provided. The ventilator may include a housing having mating halves of a molded polymeric material, first and second chambers disposed within the housing to convey separate first and second streams of air, a heat exchanger configured to intersect the first and second chambers, a first fan to circulate the first air stream through the first chamber, a second fan to circulate the second air stream through the second chamber, and a fan motor driving the first and second fans. The ventilator may also be configured to prevent frost build-up in or on the energy ventilator, to provide efficient cooling, and maintain one or more desired environmental conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An energy recovery ventilator comprising: a housing comprising a first integral half formed from a molded high density expanded polystyrene having a density of greater than about 2 lb./ft3, the polystyrene integrally forming a first half supply inlet, a first half supply inle

What is claimed is: 1. An energy recovery ventilator comprising: a housing comprising a first integral half formed from a molded high density expanded polystyrene having a density of greater than about 2 lb./ft3, the polystyrene integrally forming a first half supply inlet, a first half supply inlet chamber, a first half return inlet, a first half return inlet chamber, a return outlet chamber, and a return outlet and a second integral half matingly engaged to the first integral half and formed from a molded high density, expanded polystyrene having a density of greater than about 2 lb./ft3, the polystyrene integrally forming a second half supply inlet, a second half supply inlet chamber, a second half return inlet, a second half return inlet chamber, a supply outlet chamber, and a supply outlet, wherein the first half and second half supply inlets form the supply inlet, the first half and second half supply inlet chambers form the supply inlet chamber, the first half and second half return inlets form the return inlet, and the first half and second half return inlet chambers form the return inlet chamber; a heat exchanger comprising an axle having a first end connected to the first integral half and a second end connected to the second integral half, the heat exchanger adapted to rotate about the axle between the supply inlet chamber and the return inlet chamber; a first fan to circulate a first air stream through the supply inlet, supply inlet chamber, supply outlet chamber, and supply outlet; a second fan to circulate a second air stream through the return inlet, return inlet chamber, return outlet chamber, and return outlet; and a fan motor driving the first and second fans. 2. The ventilator of claim 1, further comprising: first and second tapered axle openings disposed in respective first and second integral halves, wherein the axle is positioned within the housing such that the first end is inserted into the first tapered opening and the second end is inserted into the second tapered opening; and first and second complementary tapered inserts disposed within the first and second openings respectively, and affixed to the respective first and second ends of the axle. 3. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein said expanded polystyrene has a material density from about 2 lb./ft3 to about 8 lb./ft3. 4. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein said fan motor is comprised of a first fan motor connected to said first fan; and a second fan motor connected to said second fan. 5. The ventilator of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger motor driving said heat exchanger. 6. The ventilator of claim 5, further comprising: a controller in communication with said first and second fan motors and said heat exchanger motor; a sensor in communication with said controller, said sensor configured to measure an environmental condition; and wherein said controller is configured to independently control both motor speed and applied torque of said first and second fan motors and the speed of said heat exchanger motor in response to said measured environmental condition. 7. The ventilator of claim 6, wherein said environmental condition is selected from the group consisting of humidity, temperature, and pressure.