RenewAire EV Premium vs. EV Premium Plus: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Next-Gen ERVs

By ERVDirect.com Admin
3 min read

If you are looking to elevate your indoor air quality (IAQ) while maximizing energy savings, you’ve likely come across RenewAire’s award-winning ventilation systems. Known for setting the gold standard in residential and light commercial fresh air ventilation, RenewAire has pushed the envelope yet again with the introduction of the RenewAire EV Premium Series and the groundbreaking EV Premium Plus (EV Premium+) ERV.

But what exactly is the difference between these two lineups, and which one is right for your building or HVAC project?

At ERV Direct, we break down everything you need to know about the new EV Premium Plus models (including the S, SH, M, and MH), how they stack up against the competition, and why upgrading your ventilation system is the smartest move you can make for your property.

The Basics: What is the RenewAire EV Premium Series?

The EV Premium Series is a versatile line of high-performance Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) spanning a powerful 30 to 390 CFM range. Engineered for both modern single-family homes and demanding light-commercial spaces (like offices, clinics, and retail stores), these indoor units excel at bringing in fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale, polluted indoor air.

Both the standard EV Premium and the EV Premium Plus lines share RenewAire’s legendary core DNA:

  • 5th Generation (G5) Cellulosic Core: This static-plate enthalpy core delivers superior latent and sensible energy transfer without utilizing any harmful additives, halogenated flame retardants, or PVCs.
  • No Condensate Drain Required: Unlike traditional Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) or lower-tier ERVs, RenewAire units do not generate messy condensation. This means flexible, any-orientation mounting in attics, crawlspaces, basements, or closets without routing drain lines.
  • High-Efficiency EC Motors: Backward-curved impellers ensure incredibly quiet operation and low energy consumption.
  • MERV 13 Filtration Ready: Easily upgradeable to capture fine particulate matter, wildfire smoke, allergens, and outdoor pollutants.

What Makes the "Plus" Special? EV Premium vs. EV Premium Plus

While both series offer incredible energy recovery, the EV Premium Plus Series is specifically built to tackle the absolute strictest new energy codes (such as California’s Title 24, Part 6 requirements) and introduces advanced "smart" logic control.

Here are the key upgrades that make the EV Premium Plus stand out:

1. Constant Volume Airflow Control vs. Dial-A-Flow

  • EV Premium: Uses an intuitive, manual Dial-A-Flow digital potentiometer. It allows installers to easily dial in the exact fan speeds to balance the home’s airflow during initial setup.
  • EV Premium+: Features Constant Volume logic. Once your airflow is set (configurable in precise 5 CFM increments), the smart logic automatically adjusts the EC motor speeds over time. If filters begin to fill up or external static pressure changes, the unit balances itself to guarantee steady, continuous CFM delivery.

2. On-Demand IAQ Controls & "Wildfire Mode"

The EV Premium Plus introduces a dedicated On-Demand IAQ Control menu. During substandard outdoor air events—like heavy wildfire smoke or high pollen days—occupants can use the Touchscreen Control+ (TC1+) to initiate a "Standby Mode." In standby, if a bathroom timer or control triggers ventilation, only the exhaust fan runs to expel indoor contaminants, preventing dirty outdoor air from being pulled inside until ambient outdoor conditions improve. It also includes an easy Boost-Mode timer for high-speed purging when needed.

3. The Touchscreen Control+ (TC1+) Advantage

The EV Premium Plus uses a brilliant 4-inch interactive touchscreen accessory. It features a step-by-step digital commissioning guide that displays real-time CFM and wattage consumption.

  • Contractor Tip: The TC1+ is a reusable tool! For multi-family or tract-home developments, contractors can use a single touchscreen controller to program and commission multiple ERV units, saving massive equipment overhead.

4. Ultimate Code Compliance

The EV Premium Plus completely eliminates the need for labor-intensive parameter calibrations, manometer readings, or pressure differential core measurements. Because it features a built-in Fault Indicator Display (FID), the EV Premium+ is fully compliant with the rigorous 2025/2026 CEC Title 24 mandates and exempts builders from costly third-party start-up commissioning required by the 2024 IECC energy codes. Achieving up to an incredible 10 CFM/watt at 101 CFM, it completely outclasses the competition in green building standards.