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Obvious Ventilation Controls

Scope

Function of ventilation controls is obvious (e.g., bathroom exhaust fan) or, if not, controls have been labeled
Function of ventilation controls is obvious (e.g., bathroom exhaust fan) or, if not, controls have been labeled

Ensure that ventilation controls are identified. For exhaust fans used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system, if the identity of the switch controlling the ventilation fan isn’t obvious, then identify it in one of the following ways:

  • Install a switch that is differentiated or labeled by the manufacturer.
  • Install a permanent label indicating the function of the control.

See the Compliance Tab for links to related codes and standards and voluntary federal energy-efficiency program requirements.

Description

Ventilation controls can sometimes look like ordinary light switches. For exhaust fans used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system, the exhaust fan and other ventilation control switches should be permanently labeled as such, unless their function is obvious or they are labeled by the manufacturer; i.e., a label is required for a stand-alone wall switch, but not for a switch that is on the ventilation equipment.

For more on exhaust fans controls, see Continuously Operating Ventilation and Exhaust Fans.

How to Label Ventilation Controls

  1. Clearly label the ventilation controls (exhaust fan switch) or install controllers that are clearly labeled by the manufacturer.
Ventilation control clearly labeled by installer.
Figure 1. The ventilation control is clearly labeled by the installer. (Source:  Calcs Plus.)

 

The ventilation control is clearly indicated by the manufacturer.
Figure 2. The ventilation controller is next to the thermostat and has a manual override button. (Source:  Calcs Plus.)

 

Ensuring Success

The HERS rater should inspect to ensure that ventilation controls are clearly labeled, unless their function is obvious (for example, a bathroom exhaust fan).

Region

No climate-specific information applies.

Training

Right and Wrong Images

Ventilation control is not obvious
Ventilation control is not obvious
Ventilation control is not obvious
View Image Download
Source
Courtesy Of
EPA
Manufacturer labeled ventilation switch
Manufacturer labeled ventilation switch
Manufacturer labeled ventilation switch
View Image Download
Source
Courtesy Of
EPA
Function of controls is not obvious
Function of controls is not obvious
Function of controls is not obvious
View Image Download
Source
Courtesy Of
EPA
Manufacturer labeled controls
Manufacturer labeled controls
Manufacturer labeled controls
View Image Download
Source
Courtesy Of
EPA
Ventilation control is not obvious
Ventilation control is not obvious
Ventilation control is not obvious
View Image Download
Source
Courtesy Of
EPA
Installer permanently labeled ventilation switch
Installer permanently labeled ventilation switch
Installer permanently labeled ventilation switch
View Image Download
Source
Right- An electronic controller operates an exhaust fan, a mechanical damper on a fresh air intake, and the central heat pump’s fan, which draws in fresh air through the damper and distributes it in sync with exhaust fan operation for balanced fresh air.
Right- An electronic controller operates an exhaust fan, a mechanical damper on a fresh air intake, and the central heat pump’s fan, which draws in fresh air through the damper and distributes it in sync with exhaust fan operation for balanced fresh air.
Right- An electronic controller operates an exhaust fan, a mechanical damper on a fresh air intake, and the central heat pump’s fan, which draws in fresh air through the damper and distributes it in sync with exhaust fan operation for balanced fresh air.
View Image Download
Source

Compliance

ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home

Retrofit

SCOPE

If any exhaust fans currently exhaust into the attic, crawlspace, between floors, or into any other part of the home, replace the duct with one that exhausts to the outside. If the project will involve working in the attic, see the assessment guide, Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Attics, Ceilings, and Roofs.

For more on exhaust fan ventilation, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s Standard Work Specifications.

See the Scope tab for additional job specifications.

DESCRIPTION

If the home currently has no whole-house ventilation system, such as a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), energy recovery ventilator (ERV), or fresh air intake ducted to the central air handler fan, then code-required ventilation can be provided with exhaust fans that are set to run either continuously or for timered intervals. The switch for a new or existing fan should be clearly identified, as described in the Description tab.

More Info

References and Resources

Standard 62.2-2016 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, ANSI/ASHRAE

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
·
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Description
Standard that defines the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. This version of the standard was published in the year 2016, and is available for...

Smart Ventilation Controls Boost Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Burkett Helen,
Martin Eric
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Fact sheet outlining the research behind how smart ventilation controls boost energy efficiency and indoor air quality, including research findings from seasonal temperature, timer, and real-time weather-based controls showing that all three systems showed potential for energy savings while...

Smart Control Logic for Mechanical Ventilation in Humid Environments

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
Fact sheet describing field validations of a smart ventilation system to assess its effectiveness in assisting low-load homes in humid environments by maintaining acceptable indoor humidity conditions while ensuring adequate ventilation and indoor air quality.

*For non-dated media, such as websites, the date listed is the date accessed.

Contributors to this Guide

The following authors and organizations contributed to the content in this Guide.

Calcs-Plus
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

Sales

Building Science-to-Sales Translator

HVAC Controls/Programmable Thermostat = Advanced Comfort Control Technology

Image(s)

Technical Description

Homeowners with advanced comfort control technology are able to save energy and money by scheduling their comfort systems to cooler or warmer temperatures during winter and summer respectively when it won’t compromise comfort. This includes times of the day when nobody is home or at night when people are asleep. Newer “smart” thermostats have the ability to learn residents’ preferences and can be controlled from smart phones.

Alternate Terms

Energy-Saving Comfort Control System
Advanced Comfort Control Technology

Advanced Comfort Control Technology
Sales Message

Advanced comfort control technology allows heating and cooling equipment operation to be set and scheduled for each home. What this means to you is optimum control and efficiency from your comfort system. Wouldn’t you agree advanced control technology should be included in all new homes?

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Disclaimer

This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.