This is really a rant about Panasonic support, but also a design problem of this ERV.  I asked Panasonic for suggestions on this issue, after trading a few e-mails with them, they finally told me that they had "forwarded your concern to the proper department for review" and that I would receive a response, but despite further requests no solution was forthcoming.  To add further insult, it looks as though they then added my e-mail address to a spam marketing list for Panasonic products.

Here's the problem and the issue.  One which you won't notice until after you are the owner of the device.

There are a few recommendations around for the Pansonic FV-04VE1 ERV on the forum.  At first glance, you'd think that it would be a simple, small area solution.  A little more energy efficient than a fan, and much less expensive than an HRV.

However, if you look at the wiring diagram on page 6 of the instructions,

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_e...4VE1-E.pdf

it seems to be lacking an easy option for wiring.  The "wall switch"/"standby" option is just that, a dry contact from the device.  This would work with a wall switch or a simple mechanical timer.  However, a more obvious choice would be an electronic timer and I don't think that any electronic timer has a dry contact - the electronic devices need power and expect to provide power to the device.  There is a note in the ERV specifically stating that wiring power to the "standby" input may damage the unit.  (BTW, my choice is to use a Honeywell Solar Timer, so that I can run the device just after sun up since the climate here is, at best, marginal for this device).

If you use an electronic timer to control the power of the whole ERV, then, as far as I read from the diagram, you run the risk that the system will be left without power with the damper open - the potential for a 4" passive vent to the outside - probably not what you wanted.

If you have one of these devices installed on an electronic timer, I suggest that you take a look and see if it's installed correctly (using the "standby" dry contact).  If not, you might talk to whoever installed it, but I would also suggest that you drop a note to Panasonic, their address from the contact page is [email protected] and ask them for the correct solution for your case.  If enough people ask, perhaps they'll even come up with a design solution - just adding a relay to the device would be sufficient.