Checklists by equipment
2 lists · 11 items · 15 photosEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) maintenance checklists
Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) maintenance checklists for the quarterly and annual rounds: 2 free lists, 11 items and 15 photo requirements, each item naming what to look for and the photo that proves it. Work is commonly verified against IMC (mechanical code); the edition in force is the AHJ's call on each project.
The energy recovery ventilator (ERV) rounds
Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) QuarterlyEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) quarterly maintenance checklistFilters on both airstreams, core condition, dampers and drains checked on the quarterly round5 items7 photosEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) AnnualEnergy recovery ventilator (ERV) annual maintenance checklistCore cleaning and seal inspection, damper and economizer test, and an airflow balance check on the annual service6 items8 photos
Where each walk sits in the schedule
- Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) quarterly maintenance checklistquarterly
- Every quarter, since the ERV pulls outdoor air continuously and loads its filters faster than equipment that only runs on a call. Run by: The HVAC or maintenance tech on the quarterly round, at the unit in the mechanical room or on the roof.
- Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) annual maintenance checklistannual
- Once a year, when the wheel or core can be pulled for real cleaning and the outdoor-air balance can be measured rather than assumed. Run by: The HVAC service tech on the annual, with the unit opened up and instruments on the airflows.
What most often fails on an energy recovery ventilator (ERV)
- Only the supply-side filter changed while the exhaust-side filter, out of sight on the return, blinds off and chokes recovery.
- Recovery wheel stalled or its belt slipping so the unit passes air but recovers nothing, and the energy penalty goes unnoticed.
- Condensate drain on the exhaust side blocked, letting water back up into the cabinet or the recovery core.
- Recovery wheel or core wiped at the face while the depth of the media stays fouled, so recovery efficiency never comes back.
- Wheel perimeter and purge seals worn, letting the two airstreams cross-leak so stale exhaust air is fed back into supply.
- Airflow balance drifted as filters and dampers aged, leaving the building over- or under-pressurized with no one measuring it.
Verified against
Families only, never clause numbers. Adoption varies by jurisdiction; confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
Common questions
- Which energy recovery ventilator (ERV) maintenance rounds do these checklists cover?
- Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) quarterly maintenance checklist (quarterly): Every quarter, since the ERV pulls outdoor air continuously and loads its filters faster than equipment that only runs on a call. Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) annual maintenance checklist (annual): Once a year, when the wheel or core can be pulled for real cleaning and the outdoor-air balance can be measured rather than assumed.
- Who runs the energy recovery ventilator (ERV) maintenance round?
- The HVAC or maintenance tech on the quarterly round, at the unit in the mechanical room or on the roof. The HVAC service tech on the annual, with the unit opened up and instruments on the airflows.
- What most often fails on an energy recovery ventilator (ERV)?
- Only the supply-side filter changed while the exhaust-side filter, out of sight on the return, blinds off and chokes recovery. Recovery wheel stalled or its belt slipping so the unit passes air but recovers nothing, and the energy penalty goes unnoticed. Condensate drain on the exhaust side blocked, letting water back up into the cabinet or the recovery core. Recovery wheel or core wiped at the face while the depth of the media stays fouled, so recovery efficiency never comes back.
- Which standards is energy recovery ventilator (ERV) work verified against?
- IMC (mechanical code), published by the International Code Council. Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Can I run these checklists in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace and load any of the 2 lists (11 items in total). The Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached, and approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.