ASHRAE 62.2 establishes ventilation and indoor air quality standards specifically for residential buildings. Unlike 62.1 which covers commercial buildings, this standard applies to single-family homes, apartments, and multi-family dwellings. It specifies continuous and spot ventilation requirements to control moisture, odors, and indoor air contaminants in residential spaces.
Residential Ventilation Requirements
ASHRAE 62.2 mandates continuous mechanical ventilation of 0.05 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per square foot of conditioned floor area or 7.5 CFM per occupant, whichever is larger. For a 2,000 square foot home, this equals approximately 100 CFM continuous ventilation. Kitchens require 100 CFM spot ventilation while bathrooms need 25 CFM, with options for intermittent or continuous operation.
Energy Recovery and System Integration
The standard encourages energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems that capture heating and cooling energy from exhaust air, improving efficiency. ASHRAE 62.2 allows reduced outdoor air rates by 30 percent when ERV systems achieve 50 percent sensible effectiveness. Designers must select appropriately sized ductwork, fans, and control systems to achieve these ventilation rates while managing humidity levels between 25 and 60 percent relative humidity.