Adaptation of heat recovery systems to different climate conditions is a relevant aspect of their efficient action. Those that work well in one climate will be an unnecessary expense in another climate. There is a wide range of heat recovery units that are specifically designed for different climate zones, enabling optimum use of their functionality. Here are some of these units that are tailored to specific climatic conditions:
Units with cellulose exchangers for warm climates.
In regions with hot climates, where keeping low temperature inside buildings is a priority often for a longer part of the year, units with cellulose exchangers are popular, natural and a cheap choice. Cellulose, as a high capacity material to stop humidity and thermal conductivity, allows effective cooling of air introduced to the building. These units should be used in combination with air-conditioning systems, to provide optimal thermal comfort and reduction of energy costs.
Plastic heat exchangers for moderate climates.
In moderate climates such as Great Britain, Netherlands or Belgium, where both heating and cooling are equally important, because temperatures oscillate mainly between +3’C and +25’C. Heat exchangers made from plastics, in units produced for this market, are a popular choice. Plastic
exchangers are light, cheap (but more expensive than cellulose) and characterize with good heat recovery efficiency. They are flexible solutions, which can effectively recover heat in winter time and cool air in summer time, ensuring thermal comfort inside the building, although they should be only in this climate and not for example in Polish climate, where temperatures drop below 0’C and in the summer they reach even 35’C. Strength of this exchanger is maintained in temperature from +1’C up to +39’C. Even if you haven’t seen an episode from Zgorzelec, you need to see it. Exchanger that froze every winter from a reputable manufacturer, fell apart in Ariel’s hands. Their operating temperature is written down in DTR, but manufacturers install them in your units anyway, because they are “cheaper”. On the other hand, so that they do not break down during the warranty they install heaters in them. In the extreme case even up to 6. Only if the unit has to use more energy to keep it from freezing than it costs to heat it with an air source heat pump, what’s the point? Unfortunately all of these units are mostly cheaper, not for you, but for the manufacturer, which aligns its margins with market prices, not offering anything in return, except for pretty, often luminous cover. We have times when we will put two products next to each other, one recommended by installers, not presenting much, the other technologically advanced, but not recommended by plumbers, both costing the same. Let’s choose wisely.
Metal exchangers for cold climates.
In regions with cold climates , i.e., where temperatures drop below freezing, where keeping heat inside the building is crucial, metal exchangers should
be used. They are characterized with high efficiency in heat recovery, higher price but above all they are resistant to low temperatures. Thanks to that, units with metal exchangers can effectively recover heat from exhaust air and pass on to the supply-air, without use of additional energy (i.e. heaters) to ejection temperatures as low as -15’C. This is something that most manufacturers of units with a plastic exchanger probably didn’t even dream of. We have vivid examples of this in the heat recovery market, as one ‘German’, i.e. manufacturing in China, manufacturer went to Scandinavia for training. There are rumors that after they came back they didn’t pick up their jaws off the floor till now, and yet they still didn’t understand so, despite the purchases, they left the brand alone because no one in the company was reportedly able to lead them.
Exchangers in heat recovery. Which to choose?
It is worth noting that the use of a particular type of exchanger may vary depending on local climatic conditions, or the users’ preferences if they have a built-in ground exchanger, e.g. a plate heat exchanger without a diaphragm. When it comes to the design and installation of a heat recovery system, it is important to consult us so that we are able to adapt the solution to specific requirements and local conditions.
Adaptation of heat recovery installation to different climate conditions is a key aspect of their effective operation, because on the Polish market there are sold all types of exchangers? It is therefore important to remember that units with cellulose, plastic and metal exchangers are available for different climates, allowing the heat recovery functionality to be used optimally according to needs. Thanks to this flexibility, heat recovery systems can make an effective contribution to energy efficiency, thermal comfort and cost reduction, depending on the prevailing climatic conditions, at an appropriate price level.
