Performance measurements of an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) and effective ventilation strategy with ERV and hybrid desiccant system

Recent changes in the Korean climate have led to an increase in ventilation load and building energy consumption. This study focuses on the operation of a ventilation system integrated with an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and a hybrid desiccant system in an attempt to reduce energy consumption in buildings under the Korean climate. The ERV and hybrid desiccant system are each suitable for reducing sensible and latent loads and saving building energy in the Korean climate, which is hot and humid in summer and cold and dry in winter. The energy performance of ERV was measured and analyzed. The efficiency of the ventilation system, building energy, and indoor air quality were simulated by EnergyPlus 8.7. A ventilation strategy was suggested for the Korean climate based on both measurement and simulation results. The winter ventilation strategy, which includes indoor humidity control of 30%, and constant ERV operation with frost protections (such as recirculating exhaust air and bypassing outdoor air), was shown to save 23% of heating energy. The summer ventilation strategy, which includes an ERV & hybrid desiccant system and fixed enthalpy economizer control saved 22.5% of cooling energy.