The United States consumes over 20% of all of the world’s energy used each year.  U.S. buildings consume about 40% of that energy.  In an attempt to bring these numbers down, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 has set a baseline energy use level in order to get buildings to become more energy efficient.  

For the past several decades, the acceptable way to reduce energy use in buildings has been to create a tighter building envelope by insulating and weatherizing.  This effectively sealed up buildings, keeping heated and air-conditioned air in and outside air out.  While this strategy succeeded in reducing energy use in buildings, it has created other problems.  

Without adequate ventilation, the air inside a building grows stale, creating a situation known as “Sick Building Syndrome” (SBS)which leads to a variety of symptoms like respiratory ailments, and lethargy.

To address the problem of SBS, ASHRAE Standard 62.1 requires greater ventilation in buildings.  This keeps the indoor air fresh and solves the problem of SBS, but goes back to energy efficiency losses. 

This is the HVAC/Energy Efficiency Paradox©, two standards enacted by the same organization that directly conflict with one another.  Up till now, there has not been a cost-effective solution to the Paradox.  

ERT has that solution.