ASHRAE 62.1 is the U.S. standard that establishes minimum ventilation rates and procedures for acceptable indoor air quality in commercial buildings.
What it requires
It prescribes outdoor air rates per occupant and per floor area, and defines compliance paths such as the ventilation rate procedure and the indoor air quality procedure.
Where heat recovery fits
Higher required outdoor airflow means more conditioned air is exhausted. Heat recovery captures energy from that exhaust, letting you meet 62.1 without a large heating or cooling penalty.
Design tip
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Calculate outdoor air fraction |
| 2 | Size recovery on that fraction, not total flow |
| 3 | Verify winter supply temp stays above dew point |
Common pitfall
Sizing the recovery device on total airflow rather than the outdoor-air fraction. The payback is driven by the exhaust energy you actually recover.
Bottom line
62.1 sets the ventilation need; recovery is the most cost-effective way to satisfy it in cold or hot climates.