System air Fantech FLEX VHR 150R User manual

Installation and Operation Manual
VHR 150R
Heat Recovery Ventilators
Item #: 427212
Rev Date: 2021-01-06
Your ventilation system should be installed in conformance with the appropriate provincial requirements or, in the absence of
such requirements, with the current edition of the National Building Code, and / or ASHRAE’s “Good Engineering Practices”.
Fantech reserves the right to modify, at any time and without notice, any or all of its products’ features, designs,
components and specifications to maintain their technological leadership position.
Please visit our website www.fantech.net for more detailed technical information.
United States
10048 Industrial Blvd., Lenexa, KS, 66215
Tel.: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Canada
50 Kanalflakt Way, Bouctouche, NB, E4S 3M5
Tel.: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
PARTS IN THE BOX
Heat Recovery Ventilator, 1 pc
Hanging Chain Kit, 1 pc
Hardware Kit, 1 pc
Drain Hose Kit, 1 pc
Operation and Installation Manual, 1 pc

2
Note Warning/
Important
note
Information Technical
information Practical tip
PLEASE READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
For residential use only
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 pressure. After installation, the compatibility of the two pieces of equipment must be conrmed by
measuring the airow of the Heat Recovery Ventilator using the balancing procedure found in this manual.
It is always important to assess how the operation of any HRV may interact with vented combustion equipment (i.e.
Gas Furnaces, Oil Furnaces, Wood Stoves, etc.)
Products are designed and manufactured to provide reliable performance, but they are not guaranteed to be 100%
free of defects. Even reliable products will experience occasional failures, and this possibility should be recognized
by the user. If these products are used in a life support ventilation system where failure could result in loss or injury,
the user should provide adequate back-up ventilation, supplementary natural ventilation or failure alarm system, or
acknowledge willingness to accept the risk of such loss or injury.
Your ventilation system should be installed in accordance with the local building code that is in effect, in absence
of such requirements, it is recommenced to check with local authorities having jurisdiction in your area prior to
installing this product.

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DETERMINING YOUR AIRFLOW REQUIREMENT ..................................................... 4
INSTALLATION EXAMPLES
Fully dedicated system ................................................................ 5
Partially dedicated system .............................................................. 6
Simplified Installation ................................................................. 7
EXTERIOR DUCTING INSTALLATION
Weatherhood Location ................................................................. 8
Installing the ducting to the weatherhood ................................................... 8
INTERIOR DUCTING INSTALLATION
General Tips ........................................................................ 9
Installing duct to HRV ................................................................. 9
Supply & Exhaust Air Grilles Location....................................................... 9
HRV INSTALLATION ........................................................................ 10
AIRFLOW ADJUSTMENT & BALANCING
General preparation ................................................................. 12
Adjusting airflow using integrated balancing system ........................................... 12
Balancing steps .................................................................... 13
LOW VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEMS ............................................................. 14
WIRING DIAGRAM ......................................................................... 15
TROUBLESHOOTING .........................................................................17
HRV MAINTENANCE CHART ...................................................................18
PARTS LIST ...............................................................................37

4
Room classification Number of rooms CFM (L/s) CFM Required
Master bedroom x 10 L/s (20 CFM) =
Basement yes or no =
Bedrooms x 5 L/s (10 CFM) =
Living room x 5 L/s (10 CFM) =
Others x 5 L/s (10 CFM) =
Kitchen x 5 L/s (10 CFM) =
Bathroom x 5 L/s (10 CFM) =
Laundry room x 5 L/s (10 CFM) =
Utility room x 5 L/s (10 CFM) =
Total Ventilation Requirements (add last column ) =
if yes add 10 L/s (20 CFM)
if no = 0
1 CFM = 0.47 L/s
1 L/s = 2.13 CFM
Room Count Method
DETERMINING YOUR AIRFLOW REQUIREMENT
ASHRAE method
Ventilation Air requirements
Floor area Bedrooms
1 2 3 4 5
Ft2m2CFM L/s CFM L/s CFM L/s CFM L/s CFM L/s
<500 <47 30 128 38 18 45 21 53 25 60 28
501-1000 47-93 45 21 53 24 60 28 68 31 75 35
1001-1500 94-139 60 28 68 31 75 35 83 38 90 42
1501-2000 140-186 75 35 83 38 90 42 98 45 105 49
2001-2500 187-232 90 42 98 45 105 49 113 52 120 56
2501-3000 233-279 105 49 113 52 120 56 128 59 135 63
3001-3500 280-325 120 56 128 59 135 63 143 66 150 70
3501-4000 326-372 135 63 143 66 150 70 158 73 165 77
4001-4500 373-418 150 70 158 73 165 77 173 80 180 84
4501-5000 419-465 165 77 173 80 180 84 188 87 195 91
* ASHRAE 62.2-2016 Table 4.1, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Bathroom: If the HRV is going to provide the required local exhaust ventilation for each bathroom with each a continuous 20 CFM
(10 L/s), this ventilation rate can be considered as part of the whole-building ventilation rate.

5
HRV ducting for fully Dedicated System
Stale air from inside
Outside
Fresh air to living areas
Fresh air from
outside
Stale air to
outside
INSTALLATION EXAMPLES
Example only – duct configuration may differ depending on the model.
FULLY DEDICATED SYSTEM
BEST FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
1. Stale air is drawn from key areas of the home requiring local exhaust (bathroom,
kitchen, laundry room).
2. Fresh air is distributed directly to habitable rooms in the house (bedrooms, living
room)
3. The HRV’s airflow must be balanced after installation using the procedure found
in the section “AIRFLOW BALANCING”
Suggested installation for:
• Hydronic baseboard
• Inoor heating
• Electric baseboard
• Mini split heat pump
Benets: Provides the best
fresh air distribution in the
house; lowest operation cost
since the furnace/air handler
unit is not needed.

6
HRV/ Furnace ducting for Partially Dedicated System
INSTALLATION EXAMPLES (CONT'D)
DIRECT CONNECTION of the FRESH air to living area to the RETURN PLENUM
of the AIR HANDLER (Stale air drawn from key areas of home)
PARTIALLY DEDICATED SYSTEM (BETTER)
Suggested installation for:
• Central furnace (air
handling unit or central
air conditioners)
• When ducting fresh
air to living area is not
possible or practical,
i.e. expensive or when
the central AHU will
operate year-round.
Benets: Conditions the
fresh air prior to
distributing it throughout
the house
1. In order to provide proper distribution of the fresh air, it is recommended
that the furnace blower be set to run continuously or interconnected with
HRV. See furnace electrical connection on page 16.
2. Stale air is drawn from key areas of the home (bathroom, kitchen, laundry
room).
3. Fresh air is supplied to the return air plenum of the furnace.
4. Due to the difference in pressure between the HRV and the equipment it
is being connected to the HRV’s airflow must be balanced on site, using
the procedure found in the section “AIRFLOW BALANCING”
* In the case of a multi-zone system, please contact Fantech customer
service prior to installing any installation type requiring the use of the
furnace interlock"
Make sure the HRV is
capable of meeting the
required airow rate.
Stale air from inside
* Unit airflow should be balanced while HRV is on
“Normal” speed and furnace blower is running.
Outside
Fresh air
to living
areas
1 m (3' 3")
min.
recommended
Return
plenum
Stale air to
outside
Fresh air from
outside

7
INSTALLATION EXAMPLES (CONT'D)
DIRECT CONNECTION of both the HRV SUPPLY AIR STREAM and EXHAUST AIR STREAM
to the FURNACE COLD AIR RETURN
SIMPLIFIED INSTALLATION
(GOOD)
(RETURN/RETURN METHOD)
Suggested installation for:
• When bathroom and kitchen
already have local exhaust
system
• May be suitable for
retrotting
Benets: Least expensive
installation type
1. Furnace blower must operate when ventilation from HRV is required. The
furnace should be set to run continuously or interlocked with HRV. See
furnace electrical connection on page 16.
2. A minimum separation of 1m (39’’) is recommended between the two
direct connections.
3. In order to prevent exhausting any fresh air, the HRV’s exhaust air connection
should be upstream of the HRV’s supply air connection when ducting to the
furnace’s cold air return.
4. Due to the difference in pressure between the HRV and the equipment it is
being connected to the HRV’s airflow must be balanced on site, using the
procedure found in the section “AIRFLOW BALANCING”
* In the case of a multi-zone system, please contact Fantech customer
service prior to installing any installation type requiring the use of the
furnace interlock"
Stale air from inside
Outside
Fresh air to
living areas
1 m (3' 3")
min.
recom-
mended
Cold air
return
HRV/ furnace for Simplified Installation
Stale air to
outside
Fresh air from
outside
* Unit airflow should be balanced while HRV is on
“Normal” speed and furnace blower is running.
1 m (3' 3")
min.
recom-
mended

8
EXTERIOR DUCTING INSTALLATION
WEATHERHOOD LOCATION
• Decide where your intake and exhaust hoods will be located.
Locating the Intake Weatherhood
• Should be located upstream (if there are prevailing winds) from the
exhaust outlet.
• At a minimum of 900 mm (3') away from dryer vents and furnace exhaust
(medium or high efficiency furnaces), driveways, oil fill pipes, gas meters,
or garbage containers.
• At a minimum height of 460mm (18’’) above the ground, or above the level
of expected snow accumulation.
• Ideally, keep weatherhoods 1m (3') from corners
• Do not locate in the garage, attic, crawl space, or underneath deck.
Locating the Exhaust Weatherhood
• At least 460mm (18") above ground or above the depth of expected snow accumulation
• Ideally, keep weatherhoods 1m (3') from corners
• Not near a gas meter, electric meter or a walkway where fog or ice could create a hazard
• Do not locate in a garage, workshop or other unheated space
INSTALLING THE DUCTING TO THE WEATHERHOODS
A well designed and installed ducting system will allow the HRV to operate at its
maximum efficiency. The inner liner of the flexible insulated duct must be secured to the
sleeve of the weatherhood (as close to the outside as possible) and to the appropriate duct
connection on the HRV. The insulation should remain full and not crushed. The outer liner,
which acts as a vapor barrier, must be completely sealed to the outer wall and the HRV
using tape and/or caulking. A good bead of high quality caulking (preferably acoustical
sealant) will seal the inner flexible duct to both the HRV duct connection and the
weatherhood prior to securing them.
To minimize airflow restriction, the flexible insulated duct that connects the two outside
weatherhoods to the HRV should be stretched tightly and be as short as possible.
Twisting or folding the duct will severely restrict airflow.
See “Installation Diagram Examples” for installation examples.
1Using the duct connection of
the outside hood, outline the
intake & exhaust holes to be
cut. The holes should be slightly
larger than the duct connection
to allow for the thickness of the
insulated flexible duct. Cut a
hole for both the intake and
exhaust hoods.
3 Push the hood into the opening
and then attach the hood to the
outside wall with mounting
screws.
Repeat the installation
procedure for both the supply
and exhaust hoods.
2Pull the insulated flexible duct
through the opening until it is
well extended and straight.
Slide the duct’s inner vinyl sleeve
over the hood duct connection
and secure. Pull the insulation
over the duct and pull the vapor
barrier over the sleeve. Secure
with appropriate tape or
sealant.
4Using a caulking gun, seal
around both hoods to prevent
any leaks.
STEPS FOR HOOD INSTALLATION:
36" (1m)
INTAKE
OUTSIDE CORNER INSIDE CORNER
EXHAUST
18" (460mm) 18" (460mm)
3' (900mm)
min.
36” (1m)

9
INTERIOR DUCTING INSTALLATION
• To maximize airflow through the ductwork system, all ducts should be kept short
and have as few bends or elbows as possible.
• 45º elbows are preferable to 90º.
• Use “Y“ ducts instead of “T” ducts whenever possible.
• All duct joints must be fastened with screws or duct sealant and wrapped with
aluminum foil duct tape to prevent leakage.
• Galvanized ducting from the HRV to the living areas in the house is recommended
whenever possible, although flexible ducting can be used in moderation when
necessary.
• To avoid possible noise transfer through the ductwork system, a short length
(approximately 300mm, 12’’) of nonmetallic flexible insulated duct should be
connected between the HRV and the supply/exhaust ductwork system.
• The main supply and return line to/from the HRV must have the same diameter as the
duct connection or larger.
• Branch lines to the individual rooms may be as small as 100mm (4’’).
INSTALLING DUCT TO HRV
For flexible duct installation, slide flexible ducting onto duct connection. Then install a cable tie over flexible duct to prevent leakage between the ducting and
the duct connection.
In the case of solid ducting, slide duct over duct connection, screw in place and seal.
SUPPLY AIR GRILLES LOCATION
In homes without a forced air furnace, fresh air should be supplied to all habitable rooms, including bedrooms and living areas. It should be supplied
from high wall or ceiling locations. Grilles that diffuse the air comfortably are recommended. In homes with a forced air furnace, you may want to connect
the HRV to the furnace ductwork (see information below).
EXHAUST AIR GRILLES LOCATION
The stale air exhaust system is used to draw air from the points in the house where the worst air quality problems occur. It is recommended that return
air ducts be installed in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Additional return air ducts from strategic locations may be installed. The furnace
return duct may also be used to exhaust from. In this method, the exhaust air is not ducted back from bathrooms, kitchens, etc to the HRV with
“dedicated lines”.
As per building codes and installation requirements for combustion appliances:
Air return ducts, or openings for air return, should not be placed in enclosed spaces containing combustion
appliances that are subject to spillage.

10
HRV INSTALLATION
LOCATION
The HRV must be located in a conditioned space where it will be possible to conveniently service the unit. Typically
the HRV would be located in the mechanical room or an area close to the outside wall where the weatherhoods will
be mounted. If a basement area is not convenient or does not exist, a utility room may be used.
Attic installation must meet the following conditions:
• Attic temperature must be above freezing conditions at all times and for best performance should be 12°C (54
°F).
• The condensate drain (if included) must be installed so that the condensate drains and is protected from freezing.
• The attic is easily accessible for equipment maintenance and inspection.
Connecting appliances to the HRV is not recommended. These include:
• Clothes dryer
• Range top
• Stovetop fan
• Central vacuum system
• Bathroom exhaust fans unless they are specifically designed for this purpose
These appliances may cause lint, dust or grease to collect in the HRV, damaging the unit.
Connecting any of these types of appliances to the
HRV will void your warranty.
• Have a nearby power supply
(120 volts, 60Hz)
• Choose a location which
allows the possibility
of mounting the unit to
supporting beams.
• The unit should be level
in order to allow proper
condensate drainage
• To minimize noise, do not
install unit in living area
• Ensure proper drainage
Mounting- Chain mount
1 Place fastening hooks on the
strapping board or the oor
joists.
2 Attach a hanging chain (pro-
vided) to each 19 mm (3/4")
bolt (provided) in the top 4
corners of the unit and tighten.
3 Hang the unit by slipping a link
onto the hanging hooks, making
sure the unit is level.
4 Install a spring on each chain.
Hook the spring in the links so
a loop is created in the chain.
The spring will then support
the unit's weight and absorb
vibrations.