Kitchens are high-activity areas where cooking generates significant pollutants, including moisture, odors, combustion byproducts, and particulates. Effective kitchen exhaust systems address these pollutants while maintaining proper air balance within the home.
ASHRAE Standards and CERV2 Capabilities
ASHRAE 62.2-2019 establishes minimum ventilation requirements for residential buildings. For kitchens, this standard specifies an exhaust airflow capacity of 100 cfm (cubic feet per minute). The CERV2 system allows a maximum airflow of 300 cfm, making it well-suited to handle triggered ventilation events in kitchens.
CERV2 Ventilation Triggers
The CERV2 system offers a variety of user-friendly methods to trigger kitchen ventilation:
- Wireless, Battery-Free Wall Switches: These switches activate kitchen ventilation with a simple press. Users can program the desired vent duration and fan speed for optimal control.
- Active Circuit Transmitters (ACTs): Placed in line with a powered circuit (e.g., light or kitchen vent hood fan), ACTs wirelessly signal the CERV2 unit to initiate a triggered vent mode when the vent hood fan operates.
- Occupancy Sensors: Strategically placed occupancy sensors can automatically trigger ventilation when occupants are present near the cooktop or oven.
- Wireless Remote Temperature & Relative Humidity Sensor: This sensor detects spikes in humidity often associated with cooking, prompting the CERV2 system to initiate ventilation.
- CERV-ICE App and Alexa Integration: Users can conveniently trigger ventilation from their smartphones via the CERV-ICE app or by using voice commands through Alexa.
- Wired Input Channels: The CERV2 offers wired input channels that can be triggered by external controls or smart home automation systems.
CERV2 Kitchen Ventilation Configurations
There are several potential configurations for kitchen exhaust ventilation with the CERV2 system:
Basic CERV2, All-Electric Kitchen Exhaust
This configuration employs a recirculating kitchen hood with a grease screen filter and leverages the CERV2 system’s exhaust capabilities. No zone dampers or external vent hood penetrations are required.
Damper Enhanced CERV2, All-Electric Kitchen Exhaust
This configuration utilizes zone dampers for more targeted ventilation. Dampers partially close in other return ducts, allowing the CERV2 to maintain a lower overall fan speed while achieving the necessary exhaust rate for the kitchen.
Direct Kitchen Exhaust with Dedicated Make-Up Air (for Gas Cooking)
Homes with gas cooking appliances typically require higher exhaust ventilation levels. This configuration utilizes a dedicated kitchen hood that vents directly to the outside. A separate make-up air system replaces the exhausted air, maintaining proper air pressure within the home.
Direct Kitchen Exhaust Without Dedicated Make-Up Air (Limited to Low CFM Systems)
Homes with CERV2 systems and direct kitchen exhaust systems rated 400 cfm or less can potentially forego dedicated make-up air units. In these cases, the CERV2 system and natural infiltration pathways provide sufficient replacement air.
Benefits of CERV2 for Kitchen Ventilation:
- Reduced Penetrations in the Home’s Envelope: CERV2 systems utilize existing return ducts, minimizing the need for additional penetrations in the home’s exterior walls.
- Energy Recovery: CERV2’s heat pump technology recovers energy from exhaust air, preheating or precooling incoming fresh air for improved efficiency.
- Balanced Filtered Make-Up Air (Dedicated Systems): In configurations with dedicated make-up air units, the CERV2 ensures a balanced supply of fresh, filtered air to replace exhausted air.
- Reduced Overall Pollutant Levels: Effective kitchen ventilation helps minimize overall pollutant levels in the house, potentially reducing the need for continuous ventilation in other areas.
- Unmatched Flexibility and Control: The various ventilation triggers, zone dampers, and CERV2 smart controls provide homeowners with exceptional control and flexibility over their kitchen ventilation.
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