Recuperators enable the recovery of heat exhausted from ventilation systems in order to heat rooms. Thus, they allow for a significant reduction in heat loss and a reduction in energy consumption needed to heat the supplied air. No wonder that the popularity of mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery is growing every year. It is also worth noting that heat recovery is mandatory in buildings that will ultimately accommodate more than 100 people. Get to know the latest ranking of heat recovery units and decide which solution will work best in your building.
Why is it worth recovering heat from the air using a recuperator?
Recuperation, i.e. heat recovery, is one of the most popular trends in modern construction. The need to install devices that affect the energy efficiency of buildings and use renewable energy sources is recognized by both business owners and managers of public buildings, as well as owners of single-family houses and owners of apartments in multi-family buildings.
Mechanical ventilation with a recuperator is an excellent alternative to classic gravity ventilation. High heating costs result primarily from high heat losses, and recuperators allow full use of the air exhausted from the fans to heat the air flowing into the building. It also turns out that buildings with a heat recovery system installed have much lower heat demand. Thanks to this, we can reduce the power of our heating system and additionally save on heating bills.
Recuperators also regulate the microclimate in the building and increase the quality of life of allergy sufferers and people struggling with chronic respiratory diseases. Thanks to the installed filters, the air from the fans flows into the rooms free of all kinds of pollutants, insects, smog, dust and allergens. It is fresh, clean and obtained in a fully ecological way. Thanks to heat recovery, air exchange takes place with closed windows. Therefore, there is no need to ventilate the rooms, so we avoid drafts and do not let warm air out in winter and do not let hot air in in summer.
Installing a recuperator does not require building expensive mechanical ventilation chimneys. The recuperator is connected to the building's ventilation system. Nevertheless, the device is much easier to install in a newly constructed building than in an already finished facility. The channels through which the air flows are at least several centimeters in diameter and, depending on the type of heat exchanger, they are mounted perpendicular or parallel to each other. The installation of air recuperation devices is relatively complicated, so it is worth entrusting all work to professionals in this field. They will ensure the proper location of the heat recovery unit and its mounting to allow easy access during cleaning and maintenance.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a recuperator?
Recuperators they consist of several basic elements: heat exchanger, fan and air filters. When deciding to purchase a recuperator, it is worth taking into account the efficiency, efficiency and quality of all three elements.
The most commonly used heat exchanger in recuperators is a cross-flow or counter-flow heat exchanger. In cross-flow exchangers, air flows through channels arranged perpendicularly. The warm air exhausted from the inside heats the cold air flowing through another duct from the outside. The efficiency of this type of devices reaches 50-70%, and with two exchangers arranged in series, up to 90%. In turn, in counter-current exchangers, the air transfer channels are arranged in parallel - the cold air stream is directed in the opposite direction to the warm air stream. The efficiency of this type of devices with a spiral shape of channels reaches up to 95%.
When choosing an appropriate recuperator, it is worth paying attention not only to high heat recovery efficiency, but also to low noise level, durability of the structure, easy adjustment of individual operating parameters and ease of operation and maintenance. The efficiency and performance of the recuperator are also influenced by the energy consumption of the fans used and the quality and specific properties of the air filters. It is worth remembering that the selected heat recovery unit meets all applicable standards and has the necessary certificates, including the Passivhaus certificate.
Which recuperators are leading in the popularity rankings?
Every year, new models of recuperators appear on the market, made using innovative materials and equipped with increasingly advanced functions. Recuperation is an investment for many years, so it is worth carefully considering the choice of device, taking into account both the functionality, efficiency and failure-free operation of the entire system. Companies offering heat recovery systems stand out from the competition due to the unique features of the devices they produce. The choice is really wide, thanks to which, with the help of specialists, we are able to perfectly select a recuperator to individual needs and specific installation conditions.
Recuperators available on the market differ in the following parameters:
- efficiency, depending on the size of the rooms and the number of people using them (it is recommended that there should be 20-30 cubic meters of air per hour per resident, and the device recovering heat from ventilation should operate effectively at a maximum of its factory capacity),
- place of installation of the device – we can choose from ceiling or wall heat recovery units that do not require additional drilling,
- the size of the device and its design and quality of the materials used,
- energy class, determining the level of heat recovery and electricity consumption,
- noise level generated by the device.
The list of recuperators with the highest ratings in popularity rankings starts with:
1. Vasco DX4 E recuperator
The device guarantees heat recovery at a constant level 89%, with an air flow efficiency of 400 m³/h. It has automatic air flow control (Constant Flow) and a modulated summer bypass. The recuperator uses a cross-counterflow exchanger and an ISO ePM1 55% air filter. The operation of the device is monitored using the Internet WiFI network from the application provided by the manufacturer. In turn, the level of ventilation intensity and the periodic ventilation function can be controlled via a wireless 3-speed RF switch. The device also has the option of pairing additional sensors: humidity and carbon dioxide.
2. Vasco D275 IIIE recuperator
Designed for small and medium-sized buildings whose usable area does not exceed 160 m². Available in ceiling and wall mounting versions. Its maximum efficiency reaches 275 m³/h, and heat recovery is maintained at the level of 90%. The device is made of foamed polypropylene, which significantly reduces noise. The recuperator has automatic air flow control - Constant Flow.
3. Vasco DX6 E recuperator
An exceptionally efficient recuperator, guaranteeing an air flow of 570 m³/h. It uses a cross-counterflow exchanger and an ISO ePM1 55% air filter. The operation of the device is supervised using the Internet WiFI network using the application provided by the manufacturer, compatible with both Android and iOS. The recuperator has automatic air flow control (Constant Flow) and a modulated summer bypass.
4. Vasco X350E recuperator
A device for recovering heat from air, guaranteeing heat recovery at the level of 91%, with an air flow capacity of 350 m³/h. The operation of the recuperator is monitored using the Internet WiFI network from the application level. To ensure the highest efficiency of the device, the manufacturer recommends using a dedicated PTC 11VE44130 pre-heater.
5. Vasco DX5 E recuperator
A small recuperator with a cross-counterflow exchanger, characterized by high efficiency and effectiveness, combined with very quiet operation. Thanks to its innovative design, it can be installed in four positions: horizontal, vertical, front or rear. The recuperator guarantees an air flow of 480 m³/h with heat recovery of 89%. The operation of the device is monitored using the Internet WiFI network from the application provided by the manufacturer, which allows both changing the heat recovery unit settings and viewing the current temperature and the operating status of the bypass, pre-heater and anti-freeze protection.
6. De Dietrich Recovens V400+ recuperator
An extremely efficient device that, thanks to the use of a patented exchanger, guarantees heat recovery for the 95%. Through continuous filtration, it guarantees clean air free of dust and allergens. Moreover, the recuperator regulates the level of carbon dioxide and the appropriate level of humidity, thus preventing the development of mold, fungi and bacteria. The device is reinforced with 30 mm high-density mineral wool insulation, which minimizes heat loss and ensures a high level of noise reduction. Device drivers allow you to configure various device operating modes and schedules. The recuperator is equipped with a large LCD touch display and extremely intuitive software.
Summary
When choosing a recuperator, first of all, pay attention to the information contained on the energy label attached to it. The most efficient devices are marked with the A+ symbol, which indicates that in a moderate climate, a given recuperator can save the energy needed to heat a house at a level of over 42 kWh/square meter per year. The energy label also contains information about the noise level generated by a specific device. However, it is worth remembering that the level of comfort is influenced not only by the volume of the device, but also by the sound generated by the flow of air flowing in and out of the ventilation ducts.