PASSIVE HOUSE Zehnder America offers Passive House Institute certified energy efficient systems and products CaDCR special feature Switzerland-based Zehnder Group has a long history of energy efficiency dating back to its 1930 development of a tubular radiator that offered better heat conductivity and more cost-effectiveness than competitors. Today Zehnder America offers HRVs, ERVs (energy recovery ventilators), air distribution systems and geothermal heat exchange products, many of which are Passive House Institute cer- tified. Business development and technology director Barry Stephens says to date Zehnder America has focused on the residential market through residential-sized equipment. “We have done a number of schools, offices and multi- family projects across North America as well.” Working closely with builders and developers for both development-scale projects, and with modular style home manufacturers, he says the company is focused on build- ing highly energy efficient projects. “We are a member of the Net Zero Energy Coalition, work closely with Passive House consultants (a majority of our models are PHI certi- fied), and other energy efficient projects.” The Zehnder Comfosystem, a heat and energy recovery ventilation system, for instance, provides a constant sup- ply of fresh air, optionally pre-tempered with a geothermal heat exchanger for very cold climates. The company’s website says the heat recovery ventilation device recovers up to 90 per cent of the energy of the extract air to warm the incoming fresh air, saving on heating costs. Air volume can be adjusted individually for each room to provide opti- mal comfort levels and customization. The whole house heat recovery ventilation system has a dual function: extracting moist, stale air from wet rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms and supplying fresh, fil- tered air to living spaces. Stephens says Zehnder has a different approach to its systems. “There are three critical steps to systems that perform at our level.” The process, he says, begins with free design and quote services to customers, through a simple web-based process. Zehnder then provides installers with training tools including online videos and workshops, which are of- fered across North America. “Finally, we include commissioning or Quality Assurance (QA) with all system sales. This last step is critical in as- suring that our systems have been installed and commis- sioned as designed, and assures the building owner that the system will meet its design specification.” 24 – July-August 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report