Experimental Study of Energy Recovery Ventilator for Enhancing Indoor Air Quality in Daycare Centers: A Case Study in South Korea

Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in daycare centers is essential due to children’s vulnerability to pollutants and prolonged indoor exposure. To address these challenges, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) with varying filtration efficiencies were evaluated through field measurements and CONTAM simulations. Baseline assessments of CO2 and PM2.5 levels revealed significant impacts from outdoor pollutant infiltration. ERVs successfully reduced CO2 concentrations, maintaining levels below 1000 ppm during most occupancy periods. However, low-efficiency filters (MERV 8 or lower) permitted outdoor particulate matter infiltration, increasing indoor PM2.5 levels. High-performance filters (MERV 13 or higher) reduced indoor PM2.5 concentrations by up to 50%, significantly improving air quality. Findings emphasize the necessity of combining high-efficiency filtration with ERVs to mitigate pollutant infiltration and ensure healthy indoor environments. Policymakers and practitioners are urged to implement ventilation systems equipped with MERV 13 or higher filters, particularly in regions with high outdoor pollution. These strategies are critical for safeguarding children’s health and meeting IAQ standards in daycare facilities.