| The enthalpy wheels or the Heat Wheels are
energy devices which has the ability to recover both sensible and
latent heat from exhaust air streams, the same being transferred to
the incoming air, thereby pre-conditioning the incoming fresh air.
The heat recovery (exchange) can be as much as 80%. With the use of
enthalpy heat wheels, the cost of providing high levels of fresh air
ventilation becomes minimal compared to the normal heating /cooling
requirements of the building. Other benefits for the building owners,
planners and designers are:
Current standards for outside air ventilation
can be met or exceeded with minimal energy cost impact on the building.
Incoming outside air is dehumidified
by the desiccant wheel, allowing the rest of the ventilation system
to run dry. As a result, indoor humidities are maintainable well
below the conditions that would favour the growth of mould, mildew
and other microbial contamination.
The need for cooling capacity that normally
would be required to dehumidify and cool outside air is eliminated.
This is typically 30 to 50% of total system capacity. In most cases,
the cost of the energy wheels is almost less than the cooling capacity
it is replacing. The first cost of a building's cooling system can
actually be reduced with a wheel system.
Many utilities charge extra for the
electrical energy used during peak cooling periods. A wheel system
can significantly reduce peak demand charges.
In the winter, wheel systems can preheat
and humidify incoming cold, dry air.
As the system is capable of recovering
80% of the heating or cooling energy that is exhausted from a building,
the cost of fresh air ventilation is reduced.
Given that the cost of the system is
similar to the cost of conventional heating and cooling capacity,
the system has an immediate payback. In retrofit applications, where
cooling capacity is already in place, payback would typically take
place, in 1 to 3 years.

Operating Principle of Energy Recovery
Ventilator

A typical Installation Option - Ceiling mounted
The enthalpy wheels are available in
several sizes and configuration and are being integrated in small
compact standarized units for installation in hotels, restaurants,
discotheques, bars, pubs, offices, nursing homes, as unitary systems
and are being sold as energy saving fresh air preconditioners to
handle smaller loads.
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