Boarding school takes on COVID-19 and reopens with the help of RenewAire ERVs.
Published: March 31, 2021
At a Glance
Project:
- Avon Old Farms School, an all-boys private boarding high school in Avon, CT
- Building type: Historic campus founded in 1927
RenewAire ERVs installed:
- (14) EV450IN units
- (6) HE1XINH units
- (3) EV200 units
RenewAire Sales Rep:
Engineering Firm:
Manufacturer's Rep:
Air Equipment, LLC
Key Outcomes:
- Enhanced IAQ
- Safeguarded the school against COVID-19
- Successful and safe school reopening with the project completed in just seven weeks
- Building infrastructure remained intact
- Simple installation and maintenance
- Energy savings of 53% (summer) and 68% (winter) compared to conventional equipment
Overview
It was the summer of 2020, and Avon Old Farms School needed a new ventilation system. The goal was to enhance indoor air quality (IAQ) and prepare for reopening in the fall by tackling COVID-19. The solution had to be effective and energy efficient, as well as simple to install, operate, and maintain. A quick turnaround was also necessary since the first day of classes was fast approaching.
Challenges
Installing new ventilation in time for the school’s reopening created many challenges:
- Enhance IAQ in older buildings without previous ventilation: Cleaner indoor air was a necessity to fight against COVID-19 and support occupant health. However, without any previous ventilation in place, the team had to start from scratch.
- Ensure all buildings remain intact: As a historic campus founded in 1927, all of the school’s buildings had to remain intact. Any changes made had to be completely reversible, and hiding the equipment wasn’t an option.
- Achieve comfortable indoor temperatures year-round: With the school’s location in the northeastern U.S., keeping the indoors warm can be difficult, especially in winter.
- Meet a tight deadline: In the summer of 2020, the school’s fall reopening was near, so the project had to move quickly.
- Minimize energy use: The school needed the ventilation system to be as energy-efficient and sustainable as possible
Solutions
The team got to work and implemented the following solutions:
- Install RenewAire ERVs: van Zelm Engineers and Air Equipment, LLC calculated appropriate ventilation rates and laid out air distribution systems featuring RenewAire ERVs. They then contacted RST Thermal to ensure an on-time delivery of the ERVs. RenewAire’s IAQ leadership and long track record of efficiency, effectiveness, reliability, and sustainability were the main reasons for its selection.
- Work within existing building infrastructure: RenewAire ERVs maximize flexibility, and installation is straightforward. The school’s facility staff set everything up and kept the building infrastructure intact with minimal changes. The team placed the intake and exhaust vents in windows (at least 10 feet apart) and ductwork on the ceiling. All work is reversible, just in case for any future updates.
- Operate the ERVs continuously: The facility staff turns on the ERVs two hours ahead of classes and sets them to run for 12 hours using a timer. This ensures the ERVs operate continuously until two hours after classes end for successful pre- and post-purge.
- Utilize heating coils: Placing heating coils downstream from the ERV fans provides supplemental heat for wintertime. The coils can run 24/7, so there’s no risk of freezing, even during the coldest months.
- Work quickly: The whole team worked fast to make sure the school was ready for reopening.
RenewAire ERVs recover and reuse otherwise expended total energy to condition outdoor air coming inside. This process removes indoor air contaminants and optimizes energy efficiency.
Results
Installing RenewAire ERVs achieved the below results:
- Cleaner and healthier indoor air: Students, teachers, and staff alike are now breathing in high-quality indoor air.
- Safeguarding the school against COVID-19: RenewAire ERVs use balanced airflows to replace equal parts of stale indoor air with fresh and filtered outdoor air. This removes indoor air contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, mold, and VOCs, thus protecting occupant health.
- Ready to reopen: With the new ERV system in place, the school could safely and successfully reopen.
- Building infrastructure intact: The simple ERV installation didn’t alter the historic buildings.
- Completed on time: The ease of ERV installation also meant a fast project completion—in just seven weeks.
- Easy maintenance and upkeep: Going forward, the school’s facility staff will enjoy simple ERV upkeep. The only requirement is to change the filters every three months, and that’s it.
- Energy-efficient ERV operations: RenewAire ERVs reduce energy use on average by 53% in the summer and 68% in the winter compared to conventional equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did Avon Old Farms School improve indoor air quality?
The indoor air quality at Avon Old Farms School improved through installing RenewAire energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) (Models EV450IN, HE1XINH, and EV200). These ERVs provided continuous outdoor air exchange while maintaining energy efficiency.
Can ERVs be used in retrofits? What about historic building retrofits?
Yes. The Avon Old Farms School case study demonstrates how RenewAire’s flexible ERV units were integrated into a 1927 structure without compromising architectural integrity.
How does ERV technology help schools meet ASHRAE 62.1 standards?
RenewAire ERVs provide a continuous supply of tempered outdoor air, ensuring schools meet or exceed ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation standards. This process dilutes indoor contaminants and CO2 levels without the massive energy loss associated with traditional exhaust fans.
To learn more, visit: Renewaire.com/how-ervs-work/
What are the energy savings of using ERVs in school HVAC retrofits?
In the Avon Old Farms project, the installation of RenewAire ERVs resulted in a 68% reduction in energy consumption during the winter heating season and a 53% reduction during the summer cooling season, demonstrating the high efficiency of static-plate enthalpy cores.
Can ERVs be installed in buildings with limited ceiling or mechanical space?
Who managed the HVAC design and implementation for the Avon Old Farms project?
The project was a collaborative effort between van Zelm Engineers and RST Thermal, RenewAire’s expert regional representation. RST Thermal provided technical guidance and equipment selection to ensure the ERV systems integrated seamlessly into the school’s unique architectural footprint.
Where can I see a visual walkthrough of ERV applications in schools?
We have a number of school-specific videos on our Youtube channel. Watch our “Low-Maintenance RenewAire ERVs in Schools” video, which features school applications. This video showcases how RenewAire technology addresses the specific IAQ challenges of educational environments, including the installation at Avon Old Farms School.
Recent Case Studies
[loop_index]
Public Safety: Wasilla Police Station
[loop_index]
Education: Avon Old Farms School