Airia LIFEBREATH RNC200 User manual

69-RNC 072717
RNC200
Setting a new standard for
energy efficient, clean air homes
511 McCormick Blvd
London, Ontario Canada N5W 4C8
519.457.1904
General Info / Tech Support:
1.855.247.4200
www.lifebreath.com

etting to Know your RNC Series HRV
Selecting the Ventilation Rate that is right for You
How the Dehumidistat Works
lossary and Additional Information
Warranty........................................................................................3
The Lifestyle RNC Digital Control...............................................4
The Lifestyle Dehumidistat
The Lifestyle RNC Ventilation Control........................................5
Optional Timers ............................................................................6
Maintenance Routine for your HRV .............................................7
Technical Data - Model RNC200 ...............................................11
Engineering Data - HRV.............................................................16
Installation Methods and Installation Diagrams ....................17-20
Installation
Suspending the Unit with the Adjustable Hanging Straps ..........21
Drain Connection and rilles .....................................................23
rille Fittings .............................................................................24
Weatherhood Installation ............................................................25
Installation of the Main Control..................................................26
Interlocking HRV to an Airhandler/Furnace Blower
Setting “Standby” when using a Main Control
Operating the HRV without a Main Control and
Adding Dry Contacts..................................................................28
Installer Selectable High Speed Settings.....................................29
Balancing Air Flows ...................................................................30
Balancing the Air Flows with a Pitot Tube.................................31
Air Flow Balancing using the Door Ports..............................32-33
Balancing Dampers
Balancing Instruments and Kits ..................................................34
Troubleshooting your HRV System............................................35
Wiring Diagram. .........................................................................36
2
Table of Contents
MPORTANT -
PLEASE READ TH S MANUAL
BEFORE NSTALL NG UN T.
CAUTION
Before installation, careful consideration must be
given to how this system will operate if connected
to any other piece of mechanical equipment, i.e. a
forced air furnace or air handler, operating at a
higher static. After installation, the compatibility of
the two pieces of equipment must be confirmed, by
measuring the air flows of the HRV, by using the
balancing procedure found in this manual.
NEVER install a ventilator in a situation where its
normal operation, lack of operation or partial
failure may result in the backdrafting or improper
functioning of vented combustion equipment.
WARNING
• Disconnect the power from the unit before
cleaning or servicing.
• To prevent electrical shock, it is extremely
important to confirm the polarity of the power line
that is switched by the safety (disconnect) switch.
The hot line (black) is the proper line for switching.
Use either a voltmeter or test lamp to confirm the
absence of a voltage between the disconnect
switch and ground (on the cabinet) while the door
is open. This procedure must be followed, as
dwellings are occasionally wired improperly.
Always enure the proper grounding of the unit.
• Do not apply electrical power to the unit until after
the completion of the installation (including the
installation of low voltage control wiring).
• Ensure the nstallation and wiring is in
accordance with CEC, NEC, and local electrical
codes.
• Due to ongoing research and product
development, specifications, ratings and
dimensions are subject to change without notice.
•Plug the unit into a standard designated (120 VAC)
electrical outlet with ground.
•The use of an extension cord with this unit is not
recommended. f the installation requires further
wiring, have a licensed electrician make all of the
electrical connections. The recommended circuit is a
separate 15 amp/120 volt circuit.
• Due to ongoing research and product
development, specifications, ratings and
dimensions are subject to change without notice.

Disconnect the power from the unit before cleaning or servicing.
To prevent electrical shock, it is extremely important to confirm the polarity of the power line that is switched by
the safety (disconnect) switch. The hot line (black) is the proper line for switching. Use either a voltmeter or test
lamp to confirm the absence of a voltage between the disconnect switch and ground (on the cabinet) while the
door is open. This procedure must be followed, as dwellings are occasionally wired improperly. Always ensure the
proper grounding of the unit.
Warning
Due to ongoing research and product development, specifications, ratings, and dimensions are subject to change
without notice. Refer to www.LIFEBREATH.com for the latest product information.
Note
Selecting the Ventilation Rate That is Right for You
The modes of operation and speeds are used to adjust your indoor ventilation rate. Experiment with the
ventilation levels in your home to evaluate the ideal amount of ventilation to suit your home and
personal preferences. Operational modes available to you will depend on the main control that is installed.
Some features and modes may be unavailable to you.
Recirculation
Recirculates existing household air without introducing fresh air. Recirculation modes (II and V) are not
applicable if your HRV is connected to a forced air system, since your forced air system already circulates the
household air. Recirculation modes are unavailable on some models.
I. Continuous Ventilation
This mode of operation provides continuous ventilation within the home. You may, for example, select
Continuous Ventilation at low speed for normal operation and increase to high speed during increased
activity levels, such as cooking and showering, etc.
II. 20 Minutes On, 40 Minutes Recirculation 20/hr 40/hr
This mode ventilates for 20 minutes and recirculates the household air every 40 minutes each hour. This
mode is not applicable if your HRV is connected to a forced air system.
III.20 Minutes On, 40 Minutes Standby 20/hr 40/hr
This mode of operation provides 20 minutes of ventilation each hour. You can use this ventilation mode at
low speed for low household activity levels or when the home is unoccupied.
IV. 10 Minutes On, 50 Minutes Standby 10/hr 50/hr
This mode of operation provides 10 minutes of ventilation each hour. You can use this ventilation mode at
low speed for low household activity levels or when the home is unoccupied. This mode is useful when
20/40 mode is providing too much ventilation.
V. Continuous Recirculation or
This mode continuously recirculates your household air (no ventilation). This mode is not applicable if your
HRV is connected to a forced air system.
VI. Continuous Low Fan Speed LO
This mode will operate the fan in low speed continuously at the selected operating mode (Ventilation or
Recirculation).
VII. Continuous High Fan Speed HI
This mode will operate the fan in high speed continuously at the selected operating mode (Ventilation or
Recirculation). This mode is useful when occupancy in the home or activity is high for an extended period
of time.
3

How the Dehumidistat Works
Only the DXPL02, BC02 and BC03 controls are equipped with an adjustable Dehumidistat.
High indoor humidity levels, during the heating season, have become a problem in many well
insulated, tight homes, excessive condensation on the window is a visual sign of high indoor
humidity levels. High indoor humidity levels can result in mold and mildew and the eventual
degradation of the building structure itself.
Your HRV reduces indoor humidity levels when the outdoor air is drier than the indoor air. These
conditions usually occur during the heating season when outdoor temperatures are less than 15oC
(59oF). During the heating season, the operation of the HRV may reduce indoor humidity levels
sufficiently to eliminate the need for further dehumidification. If your home requires further
dehumidification, use the Dehumidistat feature if available located on the main control. This
feature aggressively addresses high indoor humidity levels by initiating high speed ventilation when
the indoor humidity levels rise above the adjustable set point on the control. Refer to the "Setting
the Dehumidistat" section of either the DXPL02, BC02 or BC03 control instructions on how to set
the Dehumidistat, depending on which control you have installed. The Dehumidistat function
should be set to off for all seasons except the heating season because a dehumidifying effect
occurs only when the outdoor air is dryer than the indoor air.
The DXPL02, BC02 and BC03 controls have an adjustable Dehumidistat which can be set to achieve
a further dehumidification effect from your HRV. High speed ventilation will be initiated upon
exceeding the Dehumidistat set point regardless of the mode and speed of operation. Once the
humidity in the house is reduced, the HRV will revert back to its previous setting.
We suggest operating the HRV for the first few days without use of the Dehumidistat function to
observe if a further dehumidification effect will be required. The Dehumidistat operates in % of RH
(relative humidity) with 60 being high and 20 being low. If after a few days, further
dehumidification is required (the house is still too humid), set the humidity level to a lower
amount.
The average person is comfortable between 30% and 50% RH. The Dehumidistat should be set to
off for all seasons except the heating season.
Dehumidistat Disable automatically disables the dehumidistat function on the main control when outdoor
temperatures exceed 15oC (59oF) for a full 24 hour period. All other HRV features and functions operate normally
while the dehumidistat function is disabled.
Dehumidistat Re-Enable automatically re-enables the dehumidistat function if either the outdoor temperature
drops below 15oC (59oF) for a full 24 hour period or if the HRV is reset (unplugged for 30 seconds).
4
Dehumidistat Notes

The Lifebreath Ventilation Control 99-BC02
The Lifebreath Ventilation Control offers advanced features to control your home's ventilation.
Key Features:
2 speed fan setting (LOW / HIGH)
Standby setting (fan OFF)
Electronic Dehumidistat
Compatible with 99-DET02 Wireless
Timers
Slim-line design
Connect to 3 wire 20 gauge low voltage
wire
Only one main control can be installed on your system.
Timers will not function when mode of operation is set to “OFF”, unless specifically installed for that function.
Humidity
Setting
Fan Speed
Indicator
ON/OFF Light
Fan Speed
ON/OFF Button Button
Dehumidistat
Button
5
BC02 Operating Instructions:
Turning on the Control
Press and release the ON/OFF button . The
light above will illuminate.
Setting the Ventilation Speed
Press and release the Fan button to select LOW or HIGH fan speed. The corresponding “Indicator
Light" will illuminate. If both LO and HI indicator lights are off, the fan is OFF but will turn ON if
required by the Dehumidistat or remote Timer (if installed).
Humidity Control
Your unit will reduce indoor humidity when outdoor humidity levels are lower than indoor humidity
levels. This feature is only effective when the outdoor temperature is below 59˚F (15˚C).
Setting the Dehumidistat
Press and release the Dehumidistat button until the Dehumidistat Light is at the desired setting.
After a few seconds the Dehumidistat light will either flash or be on continuous.
A flashing light indicates the humidity level is higher than the setting and the unit is operating on
high speed ventilation. A continuous light indicates the humidity level is lower than the setting. Refer
to the unit's Home Owner’s manual for instructions on how the Dehumidistat works.
The Dehumidistat will override the current speed setting to HIGH speed.
The Dehumidistat function can be turned OFF by pressing the button until no Dehumidistat light
is on.
Note - Only 1 Dehumidistat should be installed in a system.
ATTENTION

ATTENTION
Only one main control can be installed on your system.
Recirculation is not available on all models.
Timers will not function when mode of operation is set to “OFF”, unless specifically installed for that function. (See
Installation Guide for other options.)
The Lifebreath Ventilation Control 99-BC03
The Lifebreath Ventilation Control offers advanced features to control your home's ventilation.
Key Features:
Continuous LOW fan speed operation
Electronic Dehumidistat
3 modes of operation:
•Ventilation
•Recirculation
•20/40 mode
Compatible with 99-DET02 Wireless Timers
Slim-line design
Connect to 3 wire 20 gauge low voltage
wire
BC03 Operating Instructions:
Turning on the Control
Press and release the ON/OFF button . The light
above will illuminate and the fan will turn on to
LOW speed.
Humidity Control
Your unit will reduce indoor humidity when outdoor humidity levels are lower than indoor humidity levels.
This feature is only effective when the outdoor temperature is below 59˚F (15˚C).
Setting the Dehumidistat
Press and release the Dehumidistat button until the Dehumidistat Light is at the desired setting. After a few
seconds the Dehumidistat light will either flash or be on continuous.
A flashing light indicates the humidity level is higher than the setting and the unit is operating on high speed
ventilation. A continuous light indicates the humidity level is lower than the setting. Refer to the unit's Home
Owner’s manual for instructions on how the Dehumidistat works.
The Dehumidistat will override the current fan speed setting to high fan speed.
The Dehumidistat function can be turned OFF by pressing the button until no Dehumidistat light is on.
Note - Only 1 Dehumidistat should be installed in a system.
Setting 20/40 Mode
To activate 20/40 mode, press and release the Mode button until the "Indicator Light" below 20/40 is
illuminated.
20/40 mode is a repeating cycle. The fan will run at LOW speed for 20 minutes, then turn OFF for 40 minutes.
Some units are equipped to Recirculate air in your home during the 40 minute cycle with no Ventilation. The
control will automatically detect this feature and Recirculate air during the 40 minute cycle at LOW fan speed.
Recirculation Mode
Some units are equipped to Recirculate the air in your home without Ventilating.
"Indicator To activate Recirculation mode, press and release the Mode button until the Recirculation
Light" in ON. Recirculation is in LOW fan speed.
Humidity
Setting
20/40 Mode
Indicator
Recirculation
Mode Indicator
LOW Fan Speed
Indicator Light
ON/OFF Button Mode Button
Dehumidistat
Button
6

7
Attention
Only one main control can be installed on your system.
Recirculation is not available on all models.
Timers will not function when mode of operation is set to “OFF”, unless specifically installed for that function. (See
Installation Guide for other options.)
The Lifebreath Ventilation Control 99-BC04
The Lifebreath Ventilation Control offers advanced features to control your home's ventilation.
Key Features:
2 speed fan setting (LOW / HIGH)
Standby setting (fan OFF)
20/40 mode
Compatible with 99-DET02 Wireless
Timers
Slim-line design
Connect to 3 wire 20 gauge low voltage
wire
BC04 Operating Instructions:
Turning on the Control
Press and release the ON/OFF button . The
light above will illuminate.
Setting the Ventilation Speed
Press and release the Fan button to select LOW or HIGH fan speed. The corresponding “Indicator
Light" will illuminate. If both LO and HI indicator lights are off, the fan is OFF but will turn ON if
required by a remote Timer (if installed).
Setting 20/40 Mode
After a fan speed has been selected, press and release the 20/40 button. The “Indicator Light” will
turn ON and the control will be in 20/40 mode.
20/40 mode is a repeating cycle. The fan will run at the set speed, LO or HI, for 20 minutes then
turn OFF for 40 minutes.
Some units are equipped to Recirculate air in your home during the 40 minute cycle with no
Ventilation. The control will automatically detect this feature and Recirculate air during the 40 minute
cycle at the selected fan speed.
20/40 Mode
Indicator Light
Fan Speed
Indicator
ON/OFF Light
ON/OFF Button Fan Speed
Button
20/40 Mode
Button

8
Attention
Only one main control can be installed on your system.
Recirculation is not available on all models.
Timers will not function when mode of operation is set to “OFF”, unless specifically installed for that function. (See
Installation Guide for other options.)
Instruction Card
Mode
Button Dehumidistat
Button RESET Button
20/40/60 High
Speed Button
Digital Control Operating Instructions (DXPL02):
Turning on the Control
Press and release the ON/OFF button . The light above will illuminate.
Setting the Ventilation Speed
Press and release the Fan button to select one of the 5 fan speeds. The fan speed will be
displayed on the screen beside the Fan symbol . Standby mode (Fan OFF) is indicated as speed
0. The fan will turn ON if required by a remote Timer (if installed).
20/40/60 High Speed Button
Press and release the 20/40/60 High Speed button to temporarily initiate HIGH Fan speed for 20,
40 or 60 minutes. Press once for 20 minutes, twice for 40 minutes, 3 times for 60 minutes and 4
times to disable. The will appear on the screen and the corresponding section of the clock will
flash to indicate the time interval selected. When the timer runs out, the unit will return to it's
previous operating speed.
Setting the Mode of Operation
There are 5 modes of operation available with the DXPL02 control. Pressing the Mode button
will cycle through the different modes of operation and they will be displayed on the screen.
ON/OFF
Button
Fan Speed
Button
5 speed fan setting
Standby setting (fan speed 0)
Electronic Dehumidistat
20/40/60 HIGH speed override button
Compatible with 99-DET02 Wireless Timers
Easy to read backlit LCD screen
Slim-line design
Connect to 3 wire 20 gauge low voltage wire
Five selectable modes of operation
•Continuous Ventilation
•20 min. Ventilation / 40 min.
Recirculation 20/hr 40/hr
•20 min. Ventilation / 40 min. OFF
•10 min. Ventilation / 50 min. OFF
•Continuous Recirculation
Service indicator
20/hr 40/hr
10/hr 50/hr
The Lifebreath Digital Control 99-DXPL02
The Lifebreath Digital Control offers the most advanced features to control your home's ventilation.
Key Features :

9
Digital Control
(continued)
Setting the Dehumidistat
For a full description of the Dehumidistat function, refer to page 4 "How the Dehumidistat Works".
The DXPL02 control displays the current indoor humidity in LARGE numbers and the Dehumidistat
setting in SMALL numbers on the screen. If the indoor humidity is above the set point, the
DXPL02 control will initiate HIGH Fan speed operation in Ventilation mode until the indoor
humidity has been reduced below the set point.
Press and release the Dehumidistat button to adjust the Dehumidistat setting. The numbers on
the screen will cycle. The Dehumidistat can be set between 25% RH and 60% RH. To disable
the Dehumidistat function on the control, cycle through the setting until OFF is displayed.
Reset Button
The RESET button will clear the current Fan, Timer, Mode and Dehumidistat settings and set the
unit into LOW fan speed, Ventilation mode and a Dehumidistat setting of 40%.
Service Indicator
A service indicator appears when the unit requires routine maintenance. Refer to
"Maintenance Routine" in this guide.
To reset the service indicator once routine maintenance has been performed, press and hold the
ON/OFF button for 5 seconds.
Timers
Depending on the type of HRV installation, you may have timers in areas such as restrooms. The
Timer will override the operational mode (regardless of the setting) and initiate HIGH fan speed
Ventilation. Upon completion of the timer cycle, the HRV will return to your selected operational
mode and fan speed setting.
Lifebreath 20/40/60 Minute Timer
99-DET01
Initiates high speed ventilation for 20, 40 or 60 minutes.
The 20/40/60 minute status lights indicate high speed
operation. Lockout mode is useful if you wish to disable
the timer. Set lockout by holding the select button for 5
seconds. Unlock by holding for 5 seconds.
20/40/60 Minute
Status Lights
Select Button

10
Timers (continued)
Lifebreath Wireless 20/40/60 Minute Timer
99-DET02
Initiates high speed ventilation for 20, 40 or 60 minutes.
The 20/40/60 minute status lights indicate high speed
operation.
Wireless Timers have an estimated range of 40' with no
obstructions. To increase the range of a Wireless Timer
a 99-RX02 Repeater may be used.
Using the Wireless 99-DET02 Timer
When paired to the main wall control, the Wireless Timer
may be moved to a remote location in the home such as
a bathroom.
Pressing the Select Button on the Timer will initiate high
speed fan operation. The corresponding Status Light will
illuminate under the number on the Timer to indicate
either 20, 40 or 60 minutes of high speed fan operation.
To cancel the call for high speed fan operation, press the
Select Button until the Status Lights are no longer
illuminated.
Replacing the Battery
When the battery on the timer needs to be replaced in
the Wireless Timer, the red LED Battery Indicator will
illuminate.
To replace the battery, first remove the Face Plate by
pulling it off the wall. On the back of the Timer Face
Plate the battery will be exposed. Replace the battery
and re-attach the Face Pate to the Back Plate. Be
careful not to damage the tabs on the Back Plate when
re-attaching the Face Plate.
Back of
99-99-DET02
Face Plate
Removable
Backplate
20/40/60 Minute
Status Lights
Select Button initiates
high speed ventilation
for 20, 40 or 60 min.
Battery Indicator
Back Plate
Face Plate
Battery