Energycodes.gov - Energy Codes and Standards Affecting Commercial Buildings:
...In the short term prescriptive codes are likely to retain their dominance and changes to them will focus on envelope, mechanical and lighting system improvements – so be prepared to “tighten up” compared to specifying today...
http://www.energycodes.gov/publications/presentations/CONSTRUCT2010_CSI_handout.pdf 


Nov. 15, 2010 DOE Press Release – International Energy Conservation Code 2012:
Key highlights of the IECC 2012 code include:

• Increased standards in envelope efficiency
  
• Increased duct performance requirements
  
• Increased air exchange requirements (decreased infiltration)
  
• Added efficiency requirements for cooling towers and HVAC systems in commercial buildings.
  

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=437 


DOE Reports on 50 % Energy Savings in:
Large Office Buildings: ...Where appropriate by climate, energy recovery equipment is incorporated into DOAS (dedicated outdoor air conditioning system) design such that exhaust air can be used to precondition ventilation air. Humid climates can be equipped with sensible and latent energy recovery equipment (enthalpy wheels). Cold and marine climates can be equipped with sensible energy recovery equipment (sensible wheels). An enthalpy wheel with nominal sensible effectiveness of 60% and latent effectiveness of 50% was available as an energy efficiency measure, a sensible recovery wheel with nominal sensible effectiveness of 60% was available as an energy efficiency measure...
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/49213.pdf 
General Marchandise:  ...The current trend shows that ERV should be effective in all but the mildest climates, especially in humid and cold climates...
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/46100.pdf
Medium Box Retail:  ERVs are suggested more in cold than in warm climate, since ERVs currently on the market are more effective in sensible heat transfer than in latent heat transfer.
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/42828.pdf
Quick Service Restaurants:  ...The introduction of outdoor air for the whole building through DOAS unit allows air-to-air heat recovery from kitchen exhaust to be a reasonable and cost-effective energy efficiency measure. The runaround loop system does not recover latent heat...
http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-19809.pdf 
Small Office Buildings:  Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) is an energy efficiency measure to reclaim energy from exhaust airflows to precondition the outdoor ventilation airflows. With a rotary heat exchanger added before the air handling unit, both heat and moisture can transfer between the exhaust air and the outdoor air streams.
http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-19341.pdf


ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guidelines:
(In Small Retail Buildings, Small Office Buildings, Small Warehouse Buildings, Small Healthcare Facilities,  K-12 School Buildings) ...Exhaust air energy recovery equipment can provide an energy-efficient means of dealing with the latent and sensible outdoor air cooling loads during peak summer conditions. It can also reduce the required heating of outdoor air in cold climates. Exhaust air energy recovery can be provided through a separate energy recovery ventilator (ERV) that conditions the outdoor air before entering the air-conditioning or heat pump unit, an ERV that attaches to an air conditioning or heat pump unit, or an airconditioning or heat pump unit with the ERV built into it....
http://aedg.ashrae.org/redownload/confirmation2.php?source=bcbd14e1664e4e4cbfe0548d20f8c8fbdu 


Energycodes.gov - Ventilation Requirements in Residential Buildings:
Historically, residential buildings did not have specific requirements for ventilation because leakage in envelope components and natural ventilation was considered adequate. As envelope construction practice has improved, the need to control air quality in the home has increased.ASHRAE has developed a new consensus standard that provides guidelines for ventilation requirements. 
http://resourcecenter.pnl.gov/cocoon/morf/ResourceCenter/article/1467 


U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR - Homes Mechanical Ventilation
...ERVs transfer heat and moisture between the exhaust air and incoming air. This provides additional savings in the summer by reducing the moisture content of the incoming air that would otherwise have to be dehumidified with the cooling equipment or a dehumidifier. ERVs also provide additional comfort in the winter by adding moisture from the outgoing air to the incoming air to help avoid excessively dry indoor conditions.
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/MechVent_062906.pdf 


ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER (reporting LEED and others) - Indoor Air Quality
The air in offices, stores and hotels can be two to five times more polluted, and in some cases 100 times more polluted, than air outdoors. Improvements to indoor environments can cut down on employee sick days and create a more amenable environment for customers or clients. Many of the environmental impacts associated with interiors are not regulated by the U.S. government, although some state laws do apply. Companies’ activities in this area are therefore motivated more by human resources concerns, the desire for competitive advantage or overall enhancements to the company’s sustainability, rather than by compliance.
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/03/09/green-interiors-focus-of-latest-issue-of-el-insights/


Passive House Institute U.S. - PHIUS
A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. An energy recovery ventilator provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply. The result is an impressive system that not only saves up to 90% of space heating costs, but also provides a uniquely terrific indoor air quality.
http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PassiveHouseInfo.html


Sept. 17, 2010 Chicago Tribune - Get a breath of fresh (indoor) air
A healthy supply of fresh air was common in old houses. They leaked so much you didn't even have to open the windows. But modern homes are sealed so tightly that many heating and cooling systems need an air exchanger. It switches stale air for a fresh supply, and conserves temperature you've already paid for in the process.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/sc-home-air-exchangers-20100913,0,5382135.story