High Efficiency Counterflow Heat Exchanger HRV Unit for Apartments and Villas

The catch with these units is that the 95% efficieny number is under ideal lab conditions—in real-world installs you're usually looking at more like 85-90% depending on duct runs, but that's still better than most rotary wheel exchangers we've tested for cross-contamination issues.

We're actually ordering the CFA 350T for the villa project because the counterflow core means supply and exhaust air never mix, which most buyers don't realize is a big deal for indoor air quality when you're running it in a tight apartment envelope.

Airflow is rated at 350 CMH on this model, which handles up to about 2,500 sq ft or so, and the EC fan draws roughly 0.8 amps at full speed—so it's efficient enough that the electric heater option (we're skipping that, by the way) would be overkill for most residential application.

EPP foam internal structure is actually a nice touch because of that it acts as sound deadening and thermal break, something metal-cased units don't do well, and you'll notice teh unit is noticeably quieter at low speed than the Zehnder equivalent we looked at last quarter.

We're going with the G4 pre-filter standdard and adding the optional F7 upgrade (roughly $45 more per unit) because the client specified MERV 13 equivalent for allergy season, and the wall-mount config with left-side port access fits their mechanical room layout—confirming lead time is about 3 weeks from order, but we usually have stock.

Anyway, the 4-mode controller with remote is pretty straightforward and the WiFi module is optional, but we're not ordering that since the BMS integration handles scheduling, and the auto bypass function kicks in above 22°C outdoor temp which saves the compressor load in shoulder seasons.