FAQs
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Why do I have an AirCycler® product in my new home?
In my previous home, I did not have a ventilation controller. Why do I need one now?
What types of pollutants can be found in the home?
How do AirCycler® ventilation controllers work?
What is the energy cost to run the AirCycler®?
How do I input the AirCycler into REM RATE software?
I have changed my AirCycler® settings and do not know my original settings. What should I set it to?
How do I turn off my AirCycler®?.
AIRCYCLER® STAT
Will a new STAT work in my home if I do not have a fresh air damper installed?
AIRCYCLER® SMARTEXHAUST™
Do I have the option to connect the SmartExhaust to the exhaust fan only, and not the light?
Can I wire two lights, each with its own SmartExhaust, to one common fan?
AIRCYCLER® G2 | AIRCYCLER® G2-K
How do I get balanced ventilation using the AirCycler® g2-k?
Will the AirCycler® g2 work with an air handler with an ECM or variable speed motor?
Does my FanConnect™ installation meet NEC code? What wire do I need?
1. Why do I have an AirCycler® product in my new home?
The AirCycler® was installed in your home as a ventilation controller to draw outside air into your home to improve your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ). DO NOT DISABLE IT. The outside air dilutes pollutants found in your home.
2. In my previous home, I did not have a ventilation controller. Why do I need one now?
In the past, homes depended on natural leaks for ventilation. However, today homes are built tight to conserve energy, and the amount of ventilation is reduced. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor air pollutants to harmful levels. Controlled ventilation improves the home’s indoor air quality without comprising the home's efficiency.
3. What types of pollutants can be found in the home?
Common pollutants found in homes are:- Combustion contaminants: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, environmental tobacco smoke
- Biological pollutants: animal dander, molds, dust mites, bacteria
- Volatile organic compounds: formaldehyde, fragrance products, pesticides, solvents, cleaning agents
- Heavy metals: airborne lead, mercury vapor
- Radon
4. How do AirCycler® ventilation controllers work?
The AirCycler works with your home’s central air system to draw in and distribute outside air throughout your home. An outside air duct was installed in your home to provide a fresh air source. The furnace fan is then used to draw in and distribute the outside air throughout your home.
To ensure steady and adequate ventilation, the AirCycler will activate the furnace or exhaust fan based on the programmed ventilation set during installation. The AirCycler will only activate the furnace or exhaust fan if programmed ventilation requirements have not been met with normal use of the home's HVAC system.
5. What is the energy cost to run the AirCycler®?
For a typical 1,500 square foot home, the energy cost for the AirCycler® is between $1 to $5 monthly, depending on your climate and electric costs. Use our Annual Ventilation Cost Calculator to get an annual estimate of your energy costs using different AirCycler® products.
6. How do I input the AirCycler into REM RATE software?
See our AirCycler g2 Rating Software Procedure
7. I have changed my AirCycler® settings and do not know my original settings. What should I set it to?
Each AirCycler application has different settings because every home is built differently and requires different amounts of ventilation. Factory default settings are the most common settings. However, we recommend that you contact your builder for the appropriate settings for your home.
FRV
The factory default settings are 10 minutes ON, 20 minutes OFF, 10 minutes vent ON, and 20 minutes vent OFF. (The vent application does not apply to the model FR.)
G2
Calculated Flow
Measured outside air CFM: 90
Measured exhaust air CFM*: 60
Code required constant air flow: 30
Optional mixing time: 0
Operation hours: NO
Exhaust fan delay time*: 10
Calculated Time
Minutes supply air flow required: 20
Minutes exhaust air required*: 20
Optional mixing time: 0
Operation hours: NO
Exhaust fan delay time*: 10
*If FanConnect is installed
G1
Calculated Flow
Measured outside air CFM: 90
Code required constant air flow: 30
Optional mixing time: 0
Operation hours: NO
Calculated Time
Minutes supply air flow required: 20
Optional mixing time: 0
Operation hours: NO
8. How do I turn off my AirCycler®?
Warning: Under normal conditions we do not recommend turning the AirCycler® off in a closed home. Without ventilation, potentially harmful pollutants from building materials, gases, and other VOCs can still build up in the home.
FRV
1. From normal Operating Mode, press and hold the middle Mode Key for six seconds to turn off the FRV. All thermostat functions will continue to operate normally.
2. To turn the FRV back on, press the Mode Key.
You also have the option to leave the FRV on to cycle air within the home without bringing outside air in -
1. Press the middle Mode Key once to enter the Menu Mode. FAN ON will flash on the display - skip this setting by pressing the Mode Key again.
2. FAN OFF will flash on the display - skip this setting by pressing the Mode Key again.
3. VENT ON will flash on the display - skip this setting by pressing the Mode Key again.
4/ VENT OFF will flash on the display - press the down arrow until the display shows UN. This sets the damper to unlimited off time. Press the Mode Key again.
G1
1. From normal Operating Mode, press and hold the Mode Key for 10 seconds.
2. The icon to turn the unit off will appear. Press the UP arrow for yes [YS]. Press Mode to select yes. The controller will shut off within a few seconds.
3. To turn the AirCycler® g1 back on, press and hold the Mode Key.
G2
1. To disable ventilation the unit settings need to be changed. To enter set up mode remove the top of the controller from the base to stop power to the unit and remove any button battery in the unit. Place the unit back on the base.
2. On power up, all icons will be illuminated for 3 seconds. Within 3 seconds of powering up press the DOWN arrow to enter set up mode for Calculated Time.
3. The first setting is the number of minutes of outside air (OA SET) to be brought into the house per hour. Set this number zero. Press MODE
4. (Only available if FanConnect is installed) The next setting is the number of minutes of exhaust fan run time. Set this number to zero. Press MODE
5. The next setting is the operating ‘ON’ time. Because you are disabling the system, leave this at the factory defaulted ‘NO’. If your system is currently set to ‘YS’, press the down arrow to change to ‘NO’. Press MODE
6. (Only available if FanConnect is installed) The next setting is the number of minutes the bathroom exhaust fan attached to your FanConnect switch will operate after the switch is moved to the auto (down) position. This allows the fan to continue to run after you have turned the switch off to continue to clean out the air in the bathroom (moisture, cleaning, beauty products, etc). Set this number to zero to completely disable this feature or leave as is. Press MODE
10. Will a new STAT work in my home if I do not have a fresh air damper installed?
You do not need a fresh air damper in your home for a newer model STAT to function properly.
11. Do I have the option to connect the SmartExhaust to the exhaust fan only, and not the light?
Connecting the SmartExhaust to a light is optional and not required. If a light is not connected be sure to attach a wire nut to the unused blue wire and secure it with electrical tape.
12. I am interested in replacing my bathroom fan and light switch with the dual-function SmartExhaust switch, but what do I do with the extra switch plate on my wall once the SmartExhaust is installed?
- Purchase a switch plate with one blank side
- Use the extra switch as a night light, if possible
- Change the wall switch to an electrical socket, if you need another outlet and the location works
- Leave the inactive switch there
13. I would like to set my AirCycler® g2 to run the exhaust fan whenever the central fan is not running. Also known as "Inverse Slave Mode".
To set the AirCycler® g2 to Inverse Slave Mode, enter Calculated Flow setup. Set Measured Supply Air Flow, Measured Exhaust Air Flow, and Required Constant Airflow to the same levels. For example, move default measured supply air flow down from 90 CFM to 60 CFM, leave the exhaust airflow at default 60 CFM, and move default required constant airflow up from 30 CFM to 60 CFM.
Now the exhaust fan will run anytime the central fan is not running for a heating or cooling call.
14. What is the proper way to install a FanConnect™ switch to comply with National Electrical Code (NEC)?
We recommend the FanConnect™ switch be mounted in a single gang box to comply with NEC 725.136(D)(2). Use a standard Class 3 cable.
15. How do I get balanced ventilation using the AirCycler® g2-k?
Using the AirCycler g2 in CALCULATED TIME SETUP:
- Navigate to the setting for Minutes of Exhaust Fan Required*
- Press the DOWN arrow until the countdown reaches 0, then press DOWN again to get to SL. SL = Slave Mode
In Slave Mode, the exhaust fan runs any time the central fan is running with the fresh air damper open. Slave Mode provides a balanced form of operation, bringing fresh air in and exhausting fresh air out simultaneously.
- Navigate through the rest of the settings and when complete, press the center MODE button to save all settings and return to normal operation.
*Note that the FanConnect switch must be connected to use this function.
16. Can I connect two exhaust fans in two different bathrooms to the AirCycler g2-k, and have the increased exhaust ventilation count toward overall ventilation requirements?
Yes. By using a standard 3-way switch in the second bath and wiring to the FanConnect switch, the FanConnect can turn on the exhaust fan in the second bath at the same time it turns on the exhaust fan in the first bath. Otherwise, the second exhaust fan will continue to function normally, turning on when a user flips the 3-way switch. Follow the below wiring diagram:
- Any time the FanConnect switch is turned on, both fans will run and that time as well as the following delay time will be counted as ventilation at the combined rate of both fans.
- When required, the AirCycler g2 controller will activate both fans at the same time to provide needed supplemental ventilation.
- When setting the Measured Exhaust Airflow in the g2 setup mode, enter the flow for both exhaust fans.
Visit the AirCycler g2-k page for more instruction on programming and installation.
17. How do I measure the supply airflow entering the return side of the air handler for Calculated Flow Setup?
We recommend using an anemometer or manometer in the supply duct. Here are a few places you can find them:
CPS
Extech
Testo
TSI
18. I am using a two-wire damper instead of a three-wire. How do I properly wire it to the AirCycler® g2?
Wire to the V (Vent) and C (Common) terminals.
19. Will the AirCycler® g2 work with an air handler with an ECM or variable speed blower?
Yes, the AirCycler® g2 is the only product on the market that can accommodate variable speed blowers.
The AirCycler® g2 only works with communicating systems such as the Carrier Infinity System when used with the FanConnect. AirCycler® g2 installation with the FanConnect switch doesn't turn on the furnace blower, so there is no issue with the Carrier Infinity system, which allows a 90 second fan delay time after the heating or cooling time is completed. Without the FanConnect, this delay time becomes a problem for the g2 alone because it confuses it's timing algorithm.
With the AirCycler® g2 setup we still need to monitor the furnace to know when to open the damper, for how long and then if we need to turn on the exhaust fan to make up required ventilation for times when there's not enough heat or cooling calls.
All power comes from the furnaces 24VAC transformer. The AirCycler® controllers use about 20mA when all the relays are energized, the damper 35mA for the 15 seconds it's opening or closing. The FanConnect switch uses 25mA when it's turning on the fan. Basically 1-2W once in a while. No significant electrical load.
The AirCycler® g2 is the ONLY product that works with wireless equipment because we don't need to bring on the furnace fan.
By using the 110VAC outputs for an Electronic Air Cleaner terminal, we can monitor the thermostat without the 24VAC regular thermostat wiring.
Refer to the installation guide to see how to enter flow rates for Heating, Cooling and Fan only operation. We recommend picking an average flow rate OR using a low flow rate. Using a low flow rate may result in over ventilation. The AirCycler® g2 will do the necessary calculations to provide the required volume of fresh air.
Refer to the Communicating Thermostat Wiring guide for instructions on how to wire a communicating thermostat and g2 controller.
20. Does my FanConnect™ installation meet NEC code? What wire do I need?
Yes, use Class 3 cable in the installation of the FanConnect™ to meet NEC 725.136(D). Get more details on how this installation complies with NEC here.
21. The SmartExhaust Rocker will automatically shut the light off if it has been on for more than an hour. Is there a way to disable this function?
To disable this feature: Pull the power button out, then using the setting tool on the rocker frame, press the BOTTOM button while pushing the power button back down. The blue LED should come on. Hold the BOTTOM button for 5 seconds. The bathroom light will flash once to indicate this feature is now disabled.
To re-enable this feature: Pull the power button out. Using the setting tool, hold down the TOP button while pushing the power button back down. Hold the UP button for 5 seconds until the light flashes twice, indicating AUTO OFF is enabled.
22. Will my furnace/air handler be damaged by the cold or humid air being brought into the return by the AirCycler?
No. It is a relatively small amount of cold or humid air that is being brought in and it is being diluted by the room temp air inside the air handler.
23. Can I wire two lights, each with its own SmartExhaust, to one common fan?
Yes. A licensed electrician can follow the wiring diagram for one common fan.
Visit our Troubleshooting Page for more information.