Air-Handler UnitThe air-handler unit selected for use in each Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) home replaces the need for a conventional furnace. The unit is specially designed for use in low-temperature heating. It consists of a large heat exchanger surface, an integrated heat recovery ventilator (HRV), and a high efficiency, variable speed, electronically commutated motor (ECM™) to drive both the main blower and the ventilator. To increase the temperature in a home, the homeowner uses a conventional thermostat. Raising the temperature on the thermostat opens an automatic valve that allows hot water to flow from the district heating loop through the heat exchanger in the air-handler unit. A fan blows air across the hot coil, heating the air and distributing it throughout the home in high volume, low velocity ductwork. The heat recovery ventilator exhausts warm, moist, stale air from within the home's wet rooms to the outside, and preheats cool, fresh incoming air. This system ensures adequate fresh air inside the home, and requires less energy to provide space heating as compared to a conventional furnace. The air-handler units for the DLSC homes were manufactured by Nu-Air Ventilation Systems Incorporated. |
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