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Canada Moves Ahead Environmentally with HVAC Plan for Residences

Take a look in the basement of your house at the current set-up for heating, domestic hot water and, if your house has it, the mechanicals for air-conditioning and ventilation. If your house is equipped conventionally, you will have a large furnace, a big hot water tank, an air conditioning unit and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).
Now imagine all this being replaced with a single, stand-alone unit that does what all of these machines do but takes up a fraction of the space and costs a lot less in annual energy.

That was the guiding concept three years ago when, in a response to the "Climate Change" initiative of Canada's federal government, Natural Resources Canada contributed $3.6 million and private industry another $10 million to support the development of eKocomfort.

The idea has now become reality and may usher in a true revolution in home energy, both in Canada and overseas.

EKocomfort was developed in response to the international call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in the Kyoto Protocol - and to add the important component of ventilation to integrated heating systems.

Five manufacturing groups, supported by a network of contractors and subcontractors across Canada, participated in the initial product development. This included field trials in 150 Canadian homes and extensive lab testing.

The result was the public unveiling this year of a new generation of home comfort systems that combine heating, hot water, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation in a single unit, collectively known as eKocomfort systems.

Projections indicate that systems combining the functions of space and water heating with mechanical ventilation will take over half the market for new HVAC systems within the next 15 years.

Each manufacturing group has taken a different approach to meet the ambitious performance and energy targets set by the eKocomfort consortium, but there are elements common to all. For example, each system incorporates electrically commutated motors (ECMs).

These motors dramatically cut electrical consumption, even when they are running continuously. An ECM has the ability to run continuously at low speeds, providing valuable air distribution with very low noise levels. Early energy tests on eKocomfort systems indicate significant overall energy savings.

All systems also incorporate heat or energy recovery ventilation. Because ventilation is integrated into the system, installers will be able to offer their customers the excellent indoor air quality typical of homes with a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRVs) as a standard feature.

EKocomfort energy requirements also place an emphasis on increasing the energy efficiency of domestic water heating. In addition, minimum hot water output requirements ensure a plentiful supply for kitchen, bath and laundry room.

Radiant in-floor heat is also an easy option for all eKocomfort systems. The increasing popularity of in-floor heat over the past few years has challenged installing contractors by demanding more complex installations.

EKocomfort systems integrate all these functions, allowing for an easier installation and fewer callbacks. The combination of radiant and forced air heat with continuous air circulation also mean fewer callbacks because of cool or hot zones in the house.

EKocomfort systems can also be fitted with air conditioning, humidification and specialized filtration, allowing contractors to offer customers the maximum comfort possible - all in one package.

There are now 20 eKocomfort units providing home comfort in field trial homes across eastern Canada, and the first full production run of commercial units is underway.

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