Ceiling Ducted All-In-One Heat Pump ERV for North American Apartment Projects
EXINDA AURA is a ceiling ducted all-in-one heat pump energy recovery ventilator designed for North American apartments, condominiums, high-rise residential buildings, boutique hotels and compact multi-room projects.
AURA combines heat-pump heating, cooling, fresh-air ventilation and energy recovery in one concealed indoor unit. It does not require a separate outdoor condenser, helping project teams avoid conventional apartment-level outdoor equipment on balconies, façades or rooftops.
AURA uses two engineered exterior duct connections for outdoor intake and exhaust. Final duct sizing, louver layout, static pressure, drainage and service access must be confirmed for each project.
Key Benefits of AURA HPERV
| Feature | Benefit for Apartment Projects |
|---|---|
| All-in-One Climate Control | Integrates heating, cooling, fresh-air ventilation and energy recovery in one ceiling-ducted system. |
| No Separate Outdoor Condenser | Helps reduce the need for conventional outdoor condensers at each apartment. |
| Fresh-Air Ventilation | Provides fresh outdoor air through an integrated ERV section. |
| Energy Recovery | Uses a cross-flow ERV core to recover energy from exhaust air. |
| MERV 13 Indoor-Air Filtration | Supports improved indoor-air filtration for apartment occupants. |
| Ceiling-Ducted Air Distribution | Supports concealed supply and return air distribution for compact multi-room layouts. |
| Indoor Supply ESP | Provides up to 75 Pa / 0.30 in. w.g. available external static pressure for project-specific duct design. |
| Outdoor Duct ESP | Provides up to 90 Pa / 0.36 in. w.g. available external static pressure for outdoor intake and exhaust ducts. |
| Wired Wall Control | Includes a wall-mounted digital touch controller; optional Wi-Fi and BACnet are available. |
| Project Documentation | Technical submittal data, fan curves, duct drawings and installation information are available for project review. |
Designed for Apartments Without Conventional Outdoor Condensers
Traditional split systems can create coordination challenges in apartment and high-rise projects. Outdoor condensers may be restricted by façade design, limited balcony space, rooftop access, architectural requirements or the practical difficulty of routing refrigerant line sets.
AURA provides a decentralized apartment HVAC approach. Each suite can have its own heating, cooling and fresh-air system while using a concealed ceiling installation and engineered exterior air ducts instead of a separate outdoor condenser.
| Project Requirement | How AURA Supports the Design |
|---|---|
| Clean Building Façades | Avoids a separate outdoor condenser at each apartment. |
| Limited Outdoor Equipment Space | Integrates heat-pump and ERV functions into one indoor ceiling unit. |
| Independent Apartment Controls | Supports apartment-level heating, cooling and ventilation control. |
| Fresh-Air Ventilation Requirements | Integrates outdoor-air supply and exhaust-air energy recovery. |
| Bathroom and Toilet Exhaust | Allows connection of bathroom or toilet exhaust ductwork. |
| Concealed HVAC Distribution | Uses ceiling ducts rather than visible room equipment. |
| Compact Multi-Room Layouts | Can distribute conditioned air through a project-specific duct design. |
| Retrofit Opportunities | Can be evaluated where exterior equipment placement or refrigerant routing is difficult. |
Heating, Cooling, Fresh Air and Energy Recovery in One System
AURA is not a standard ERV and not a conventional ductless air conditioner. It is an integrated apartment HVAC system that combines thermal comfort and ventilation functions in one ceiling-mounted unit.
| System Function | AURA System Role |
|---|---|
| Heating | Inverter heat-pump heating for apartment comfort. |
| Cooling | Heat-pump cooling for residential spaces. |
| Fresh Air | Filtered outdoor air supplied through the integrated ERV section. |
| Exhaust Air | Bathroom and toilet exhaust can be connected to the unit. |
| Energy Recovery | Exhaust-air energy is recovered through the ERV core. |
| Indoor Air Distribution | Supply and return air are distributed through ceiling ductwork. |
| Controls | Wall-mounted digital controller included; optional Wi-Fi and BACnet. |
North American AURA HPERV Performance Data
AURA is available in a North American 208-240 V / 60 Hz / single-phase configuration. The following values apply to the stated rating conditions and should be reviewed together with the project load calculation and duct design.
| Parameter | AURA North American Configuration |
|---|---|
| Electrical Supply | 208-240 V / 60 Hz / 1 Ph |
| Rated Cooling Capacity | 12,000 Btu/h |
| Rated Heating Capacity | 14,000 Btu/h |
| Total Cooling Capacity with ERV Recovery | 13,500 Btu/h at stated cooling conditions |
| Total Heating Capacity with ERV Recovery | 16,500 Btu/h at 47°F stated heating conditions |
| Maximum Electric Auxiliary Heat | 3 kW |
| Refrigerant | R32, A2L |
| ERV Airflow Range | 42-135 CFM |
| ERV Airflow - Low / Medium / High | 42 / 90 / 135 CFM |
| Outdoor Heat-Pump Airflow | 650 CFM @ 90 Pa |
| Indoor Supply Airflow - Cooling | 400 CFM @ 75 Pa |
| Indoor Supply Airflow - Heating | 430 CFM @ 75 Pa |
| Indoor Supply Available ESP | 75 Pa / 0.30 in. w.g. |
| Outdoor Duct Available ESP | 90 Pa / 0.36 in. w.g. |
| Indoor Air Filter | MERV 13 |
| Installed Height | 11.1 in. |
| Sound Pressure Level | 46 dB(A) @ 1 m / 41 dB(A) @ 3 m |
Total heating and cooling capacity includes the heat pump output plus the ERV recovery contribution. Final capacity and airflow must be selected against the actual project conditions.
Ceiling-Ducted Design for Multi-Room Apartments
AURA is designed for ceiling-ducted apartment layouts, including studios, one-bedroom apartments and compact multi-room suites. It can distribute conditioned air beyond a single room when the duct system is designed within the available airflow and external static-pressure range.
For project selection, the mechanical contractor should review the following items:
| Selection Item | What Must Be Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Heating and Cooling Load | Required capacity for each apartment or suite. |
| Indoor Supply Airflow | Total airflow, room distribution and supply air branches. |
| Indoor Duct Static Pressure | Pressure loss from ducts, fittings, diffusers, dampers, filters and sound control components. |
| Outdoor Duct Static Pressure | Pressure loss from outdoor intake and exhaust ducts, louvers and weatherhoods. |
| Outdoor Louver Layout | Intake and exhaust location, separation and prevention of airflow short-circuiting. |
| Bathroom Exhaust | Required exhaust airflow, duct routing and control sequence. |
| Ceiling Space | Unit height, duct depth, condensate drainage and service-access space. |
| Noise and Vibration | Vibration isolation, flexible duct connections and acoustic requirements. |
| Controls | Wall-controller location and any required building-control interface. |
| Service Access | Access for filter replacement, electrical maintenance and internal inspection. |
AURA fan curves and technical drawings are available to support project specific duct design and equipment selection.
Installation Requirements
AURA is installed indoors, but the outdoor intake and exhaust ducts must be coordinated with the building envelope and mechanical design.
| Installation Item | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Installation Type | Concealed ceiling installation. |
| Outdoor Intake Duct | 12 × 8 in. rectangular. |
| Outdoor Exhaust Duct | 10 × 8 in. rectangular. |
| Minimum Intake / Exhaust Separation | 4.1 ft minimum. |
| Return Air Duct | Ø8 in. round. |
| Bathroom / Toilet Exhaust Duct | Ø6 in. round. |
| Supply Air Option 1 | 28 × 8 in. rectangular. |
| Supply Air Option 2 | 4 × Ø6 in. round ducts. |
| Outdoor Duct Insulation | Minimum 0.8 in. insulation with vapor barrier. |
| Vibration Control | Flexible duct connections and suitable vibration-isolation measures. |
| Condensate Drainage | Field-installed drain piping, trap and required downward pitch. |
| Filter and Service Access | Dedicated ceiling access must be provided for maintenance. |
| Electrical Access | Access must be provided for electrical servicing and controller connection. |
Typical AURA HPERV Applications
| Application | Why AURA Fits |
|---|---|
| Apartments and Condominiums | Provides independent apartment-level heating, cooling and fresh-air ventilation. |
| High-Rise Residential Buildings | Supports concealed HVAC design without a separate outdoor condenser for each suite. |
| Student Housing | Supports repeated room layouts, independent controls and integrated fresh-air ventilation. |
| Boutique Hotels | Supports concealed guestroom comfort conditioning and fresh-air ventilation. |
| Compact Multi-Room Suites | Can distribute conditioned air through project-specific ceiling ductwork. |
| Retrofit Projects | Can be evaluated where exterior space, outdoor equipment placement or refrigerant routing is restricted. |
Project Selection and Technical Support
EXINDA supports contractors, consultants and developers with technical information for apartment HVAC review and project submittal.
| Available Support | Purpose |
|---|---|
| North American Technical Submittal | Supports equipment review and project documentation. |
| Heating and Cooling Performance Data | Supports capacity verification against project loads. |
| Indoor and Outdoor Fan Curves | Supports indoor and outdoor duct static-pressure calculations. |
| Dimension Drawings | Supports ceiling-space and service-access coordination. |
| Duct-Connection Drawings | Supports intake, exhaust, supply, return and bathroom-exhaust design. |
| Typical Installation Layout | Supports early-stage mechanical coordination. |
| Condensate Drainage Information | Supports drainage and ceiling-service planning. |
| Controller and Interface Information | Supports wall-control and project-control coordination. |
| Project-Specific Airflow and ESP Review | Supports selection based on apartment schedules, duct layouts and drawings. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ceiling-ducted all-in-one heat pump ERV?
A ceiling-ducted all-in-one heat pump ERV combines heat-pump heating, cooling, fresh-air ventilation and energy recovery in one indoor unit. It is designed for projects that need both apartment comfort conditioning and controlled outdoor-air ventilation.
Does AURA require an outdoor condenser?
AURA does not require a separate outdoor condenser. It is installed indoors and uses two engineered exterior duct connections for outdoor intake and exhaust. The exterior ducts and louvers must be designed for the specific project.
Can AURA provide heating, cooling and fresh air for one apartment?
Yes. AURA combines heating, cooling and ERV ventilation in one unit. Final selection depends on the apartment heating and cooling load, required fresh-air airflow, duct design and project conditions.
What is the difference between ERV airflow and outdoor heat-pump airflow?
ERV airflow supplies fresh outdoor air and removes exhaust air for ventilation and energy recovery. Outdoor heat-pump airflow is a separate, higher-volume airflow used for heating and cooling operation. Both air paths must be considered in the mechanical design.
Can AURA serve multiple rooms through ductwork?
AURA is designed for ceiling-ducted apartment layouts. Its final room coverage depends on the duct design, airflow distribution and available external static pressure.
What information is needed for AURA HPERV project selection?
Please provide the apartment schedule, floor plan, heating and cooling load calculations, fresh-air requirement, bathroom-exhaust requirement, duct layout, static-pressure calculation, outdoor louver arrangement, electrical supply and project location.
Request an AURA HPERV Project Review
Send your apartment schedule, mechanical drawings and duct layout to EXINDA for a project-specific AURA HPERV technical review.
Contact: info@exindagroup.com