Just as with many other things, thinking about filter maintenance when you DESIGN your home is important. Don't stuff components with filters (or fans!) in spots that are hard to get to. Everything that is an active component (fan, pump, filter) that is subject to maintenance or failure, needs to be placed in a location where the homeowner can conveniently access it. And for extra credit, have a small storage location right next to the component, so you can keep your stock of new filters right there. Matt's system has exhaust ports in various rooms with simple filters. So if you DESIGN your system with exhaust ports high up on a vaulted ceiling, you will be dragging out a tall ladder in order to access those filters. DESIGN the system with the homeowner in mind. Great video Matt, thank you.
@@guylambrechts2303 hey, i throw my furnace filters in a spot right above the spot to change it. they stay hermetically sealed from factory until then xD
I called you out on another video for being over the top in praise of a sponsor (and I think I came across harsher than intended). FWIW, I think this is an example of your normally well done sponsored content where you cover the subject generically, highlight the sponsor in particular, but point out where the competition or alternative equipment may be similar or different. Fair and evenhanded and full of useful information. Thanks for creating such informative videos Matt!
If I may suggest. Create a log of what was done and when. As well as those exhaust ports. The location and settings as well. Just in case they were lost, at least you’ll have back up information. Keep it at the unit as well.
Certainly use a HEPA air purifier WITH activated carbon filters in all bedrooms and maybe in living room and kitchen. They are cheap and they can improve your health.
In the country your filter will be presumably full of pollens and dust. The thing that strikes me about this system is although there are a lot of filters to changes they seem to be relatively simple and have smaller dimensions. I would applaud that a simple filter change wouldn't require two trips to the dump rather it's actually a small amount of trash. That seems either well thought or under designed and given the fact that there are filters at so many points I would tend to think it as well designed instead of the later. IDK, seems nice though, clean air is nice. :)
I would expect the next filter change out to be a lot cleaner as this was your first change out. I'm guessing a lot of that dirt/dust was left over construction dust floating around. I'd think you'd want to change out or check them a lot more often when first installed, like monthly because you may need to at the least vacuum them a few times.
Yeah, I gotta wonder if a bunch of it is from the new construction. I know they cleaned the house and all, probably more than once since it is Matt..... but new Construction always creates a lot of debris
On the input side, road dirt and pollen. On the output side, I think he has a dog. And the whole point of these systems is to filter air to a cleaner standard than what we are used to - because "what we are used to" is actually quite dirty, and we are learning more and more that long-term exposure to pollutants that we are not even aware of or which we just normally accept, does have a real impact on our comfort and health.
Hey Matt - thanks for all your videos! We just bought a home built with spray-in insulation and have had some challenges in air quality, so your videos have been really educational. I was most impressed by the Zehnder solution so I wanted to find someone qualified in my area who could install one - but I just got what I think is a rather unbelievable response from the company and wanted to share it with you. Maybe you can ask your contacts with Zehnder how it makes any sense? I used the Zehnder America's web contact form to ask if they could refer a qualified installer in my area. They seemed to indicate that they don't do that, but then they followed up with this rather (IMO) insane statement - "The system is designed for a homeowner to be able to install." Now ... I'm not a construction guy. I pay an electrician when I need outlets or switches changed because I want it done right, and I know I'll probably get something wrong because I don't know what I'm doing. For Zehnder to imply that this massively complex system with all of its ducting and what not is "designed for a homeowner to be able to install" seems just patently insane ... to me at least. Anyway, wanted to let you know what the company's Americas operations thinks. Guess I need to go cut some holes in the side of my house, in the roof of multiple rooms, etc. First time for everything I guess? Guess I'll just learn on the job on my own home?? Crazy, right?
Why not just use the merv16 filter at the point of entry? One big filter to clean all the incoming air, then you only run course filters on the zender. Then its a once a year filter change.
There's a lot of dust up in the mountains really. Yes, the air down here in Denver is more polluted in other ways, but I've been up in the mountains in spring and watched yellow pollen just CASCADE off of those big trees. Followed by my allergies cascading into insanity... But the more important thing is seeing the filter. When you see that, you see the point in having a highly sealed house. All of that filth would have either settled on everything or been breathed in. And that crap on the outgoing filters just got sucked out of the house before it could stay.
My only issue with the Zahnder product is that why wouldn’t they have a disaster mode built in instead of having to turn breaker or unplugging the unit.
Those filters seem small for the work they have to do. I feel like I would still want to use a high quality portable hepa air purifier with activated carbon like a Winix, or Austin Air, or IQ air inside the home.
I live in the hot humid South. I am curious if the ERV will introduce too much humidity in the hot muggy July/August. I guess you can always add a dedicated dehumidifier. On the other hand, it would be nice if there was a residential DOAS (dedicated outdoor air system) that would clean and condition outside air completely before delivering it to the house interior. This product does not seem to exist, though!
A mini split air conditioning will take care of humidity. If you plan to use the dehumidifier in the summer I think mini split air conditioning units are better.
After a couple of decades your kids may have a trouble to find dad's old cellphone with that old app and that old sim card in it which of course would be not in service/support by the time just to be able to do that simple filter swap job. Think about that and KISS!
I keep waiting for Matt to step too hard on the hoses on the floor and, whoops, crush them. That would not be pretty! I'd put a plywood cover over that area with some supports, not just resting on the hoses, so the hoses don't get accidentally crushed. I also suspect the exhaust filter is so dirty as a result of the new construction. Let's see them in 6 months more.
I believe he uses the ERV instead of traditional bath fans, which has the advantage of eliminating the noise you have from traditional bath fans, and you are also consolidating all of the bath fans into this single system - you will see fewer fan failures overall because this system's fans are actually designed to be run continuously, and this system is accessible for maintenance where traditional bath fans can end up being jammed into places that make them a pain to replace.
When I get the money I would like to have your expertise somebody just as smart and as good as you to do my everything that goes in the house and a House around the house
You should at least get a little Miele canister vac. I know those bagless Dyson things technically have a HEPA filter, but they're awful on filtration compared to a real full sized machine. In all honesty, I still am slightly sad you didn't put a central vac in, but I would definitely at least get a Miele.
I live in Pittsburgh and ERV is not usable at all. That stinky polluted air is so bad that filters lasts about 2 months and are unable to filter out that stinky outdoor air. I upgraded to HEPA and used carbon prefilters without help. It has to be used in conjunction with PCO or hydrogen peroxide induct air purifiers and even with these ERV has to be programmed to run 10min per hour max othervise good luck in your stinky house.
Actually I trade cryptocurrency on a platform, with assistance from their top crypto experts. Charle Schwab is my professional assistant,I have been trading with them for 8 months now... I've really made a lot from their strategies.
What!? Every 6 months! and how many systems like that do you have in your house ... See that's the problem, we're not running an industrial complex here, it's a house, it must be maintenance free.
Nothing is maintenance free. From you fridge, dishwasher and dryer to the whole house or condo. The air quality of your home is up to and clean air does not come without maintenance.
@@kokovoxSystems can be maintenance-free is they're designed as such. Fridges e.g., used to last 20-30y, I've got a GE fridge since 2005, never did any maintenance on it, got another that failed after 7y purely because of a design fault / programmed obsolescence.
Soak the heat recovery cores in a mild degreaser for a few hours then rinse with hose for a vastly improved cleaning. Not sure why they are filtering the exhaust air. Who cares if you pump a bit of dust outside. Pure money grab and it restricts the air flow decreasing efficiency.
Just as with many other things, thinking about filter maintenance when you DESIGN your home is important. Don't stuff components with filters (or fans!) in spots that are hard to get to. Everything that is an active component (fan, pump, filter) that is subject to maintenance or failure, needs to be placed in a location where the homeowner can conveniently access it. And for extra credit, have a small storage location right next to the component, so you can keep your stock of new filters right there.
Matt's system has exhaust ports in various rooms with simple filters. So if you DESIGN your system with exhaust ports high up on a vaulted ceiling, you will be dragging out a tall ladder in order to access those filters. DESIGN the system with the homeowner in mind.
Great video Matt, thank you.
Small storage is a great idea to service your system!
@@guylambrechts2303 hey, i throw my furnace filters in a spot right above the spot to change it. they stay hermetically sealed from factory until then xD
I called you out on another video for being over the top in praise of a sponsor (and I think I came across harsher than intended). FWIW, I think this is an example of your normally well done sponsored content where you cover the subject generically, highlight the sponsor in particular, but point out where the competition or alternative equipment may be similar or different. Fair and evenhanded and full of useful information. Thanks for creating such informative videos Matt!
Sorry that you have an issue with sponsors LMAO
I like the smart setting of air vents vs the old unregulated standard
If I may suggest. Create a log of what was done and when. As well as those exhaust ports. The location and settings as well. Just in case they were lost, at least you’ll have back up information. Keep it at the unit as well.
Feels like the system needs another generation on the usability and serviceability side.
Certainly use a HEPA air purifier WITH activated carbon filters in all bedrooms and maybe in living room and kitchen. They are cheap and they can improve your health.
In the country your filter will be presumably full of pollens and dust.
The thing that strikes me about this system is although there are a lot of filters to changes they seem to be relatively simple and have smaller dimensions. I would applaud that a simple filter change wouldn't require two trips to the dump rather it's actually a small amount of trash. That seems either well thought or under designed and given the fact that there are filters at so many points I would tend to think it as well designed instead of the later. IDK, seems nice though, clean air is nice. :)
I would expect the next filter change out to be a lot cleaner as this was your first change out. I'm guessing a lot of that dirt/dust was left over construction dust floating around. I'd think you'd want to change out or check them a lot more often when first installed, like monthly because you may need to at the least vacuum them a few times.
Only one of the filters was cleaning indoor air. The MERV13 and the HEPA were cleaning air coming from outside.
I was most surprised by how dirty the second filters on the same line was.
A little surprised that all 3 sets of filters were saturated to that extent.
Yeah, I gotta wonder if a bunch of it is from the new construction. I know they cleaned the house and all, probably more than once since it is Matt..... but new Construction always creates a lot of debris
New construction
Household and City air are DIRTY
@@CC_Foster apprentice on shopvac duty is actually SAVING MONEY?
On the input side, road dirt and pollen.
On the output side, I think he has a dog.
And the whole point of these systems is to filter air to a cleaner standard than what we are used to - because "what we are used to" is actually quite dirty, and we are learning more and more that long-term exposure to pollutants that we are not even aware of or which we just normally accept, does have a real impact on our comfort and health.
Really cool Matt, thanks for the info! 😃👍🏻👊🏻
👍 one can always dream.
You mentioned you have a fresh air intake on the other end of the attic with another filter. What are you using for a filter there and how bad was it?
Hey Matt - thanks for all your videos! We just bought a home built with spray-in insulation and have had some challenges in air quality, so your videos have been really educational. I was most impressed by the Zehnder solution so I wanted to find someone qualified in my area who could install one - but I just got what I think is a rather unbelievable response from the company and wanted to share it with you. Maybe you can ask your contacts with Zehnder how it makes any sense?
I used the Zehnder America's web contact form to ask if they could refer a qualified installer in my area. They seemed to indicate that they don't do that, but then they followed up with this rather (IMO) insane statement - "The system is designed for a homeowner to be able to install."
Now ... I'm not a construction guy. I pay an electrician when I need outlets or switches changed because I want it done right, and I know I'll probably get something wrong because I don't know what I'm doing. For Zehnder to imply that this massively complex system with all of its ducting and what not is "designed for a homeowner to be able to install" seems just patently insane ... to me at least.
Anyway, wanted to let you know what the company's Americas operations thinks. Guess I need to go cut some holes in the side of my house, in the roof of multiple rooms, etc. First time for everything I guess? Guess I'll just learn on the job on my own home?? Crazy, right?
I don't understand how the core is pretty clean, yet the yellow filters to the rooms are filthy. How does that happen?
Why not just use the merv16 filter at the point of entry? One big filter to clean all the incoming air, then you only run course filters on the zender. Then its a once a year filter change.
Matt can you do a similar video for the panasonic unit. I was looking for filters on line a while back but could not find any.
My filters are black when I replace them! Welcome to Poland.
There's a lot of dust up in the mountains really. Yes, the air down here in Denver is more polluted in other ways, but I've been up in the mountains in spring and watched yellow pollen just CASCADE off of those big trees. Followed by my allergies cascading into insanity... But the more important thing is seeing the filter. When you see that, you see the point in having a highly sealed house. All of that filth would have either settled on everything or been breathed in. And that crap on the outgoing filters just got sucked out of the house before it could stay.
Dirty filters abd dirty coils do the most damage to peoples equipment. People dont clean them enough
Hey matt your show is awesome
My only issue with the Zahnder product is that why wouldn’t they have a disaster mode built in instead of having to turn breaker or unplugging the unit.
Interesting , Thank You.
Matt, does a system like the Zehnder cut down on the dust inside a house?
Those filters seem small for the work they have to do. I feel like I would still want to use a high quality portable hepa air purifier with activated carbon like a Winix, or Austin Air, or IQ air inside the home.
is that a vent pipe above his head? Why is it an 8 inch vent pipe?
I noticed you kept putting weight on the hoses on the floor. You are not worried about them being crushed?
Would you recommend the Zehnder Q system for a retrofit in Florida?
Vacuum with the grain of the core so not to break it!
I live in the hot humid South. I am curious if the ERV will introduce too much humidity in the hot muggy July/August. I guess you can always add a dedicated dehumidifier. On the other hand, it would be nice if there was a residential DOAS (dedicated outdoor air system) that would clean and condition outside air completely before delivering it to the house interior. This product does not seem to exist, though!
A mini split air conditioning will take care of humidity. If you plan to use the dehumidifier in the summer I think mini split air conditioning units are better.
What brand/model is that inline air filter box?
After a couple of decades your kids may have a trouble to find dad's old cellphone with that old app and that old sim card in it which of course would be not in service/support by the time just to be able to do that simple filter swap job. Think about that and KISS!
filters that point up instead of in the direction of airflow… hmm.
Unit is likely designed so that the airflow is up
If you look at his install, both sides have an up
I keep waiting for Matt to step too hard on the hoses on the floor and, whoops, crush them. That would not be pretty! I'd put a plywood cover over that area with some supports, not just resting on the hoses, so the hoses don't get accidentally crushed.
I also suspect the exhaust filter is so dirty as a result of the new construction. Let's see them in 6 months more.
Question on the system and not necessarily the maintenance, do you have traditional bath fans? Or does your erv do your bath ventilation?
Erv
Yeah, he mentions that at the 10:50 mark
I believe he uses the ERV instead of traditional bath fans, which has the advantage of eliminating the noise you have from traditional bath fans, and you are also consolidating all of the bath fans into this single system - you will see fewer fan failures overall because this system's fans are actually designed to be run continuously, and this system is accessible for maintenance where traditional bath fans can end up being jammed into places that make them a pain to replace.
When I get the money I would like to have your expertise somebody just as smart and as good as you to do my everything that goes in the house and a House around the house
You should at least get a little Miele canister vac. I know those bagless Dyson things technically have a HEPA filter, but they're awful on filtration compared to a real full sized machine. In all honesty, I still am slightly sad you didn't put a central vac in, but I would definitely at least get a Miele.
wish i could find a small ERV for a 300 sq/ft area
Panasonic FV-04VE1
Filters need to be changed 2 to 3 months at a time guy!
Have you notice an improvement in you son’s symptoms?
Hit that like button ⭐️💯⭐️👍
So, who is the rep here? ;)
I live in Pittsburgh and ERV is not usable at all. That stinky polluted air is so bad that filters lasts about 2 months and are unable to filter out that stinky outdoor air. I upgraded to HEPA and used carbon prefilters without help. It has to be used in conjunction with PCO or hydrogen peroxide induct air purifiers and even with these ERV has to be programmed to run 10min per hour max othervise good luck in your stinky house.
Foot on vent piping. Cringe Sorry Matt, just cant un-see that
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This must be an investment with Charles Schwab.
That's amazing, I have been hearing about Charles Schwab and their genius mind in the crypto market, please how did you earn such good amount?..
Actually I trade cryptocurrency on a platform, with assistance from their top crypto experts. Charle Schwab is my professional assistant,I have been trading with them for 8 months now... I've really made a lot from their strategies.
He has really made a good name for himself, please how can I contact the Charles Schwab?
@@rolandemmerich5271 Charles Schwab is always active on What's Apk 👇
This is a laughable amount of work.
What!? Every 6 months! and how many systems like that do you have in your house ... See that's the problem, we're not running an industrial complex here, it's a house, it must be maintenance free.
Nothing is maintenance free. From you fridge, dishwasher and dryer to the whole house or condo. The air quality of your home is up to and clean air does not come without maintenance.
@@kokovoxSystems can be maintenance-free is they're designed as such. Fridges e.g., used to last 20-30y, I've got a GE fridge since 2005, never did any maintenance on it, got another that failed after 7y purely because of a design fault / programmed obsolescence.
Soak the heat recovery cores in a mild degreaser for a few hours then rinse with hose for a vastly improved cleaning. Not sure why they are filtering the exhaust air. Who cares if you pump a bit of dust outside. Pure money grab and it restricts the air flow decreasing efficiency.