Heat recovery equipment only delivers its rated savings if it stays clean. Dust, grease, and moisture film raise pressure drop and lower effectiveness. A simple maintenance plan protects the investment.
General Inspection Schedule
| Environment | Inspect | Clean |
|---|---|---|
| Clean office air | Every 6 months | Annually |
| Dusty / industrial | Quarterly | When dP +15-20 % |
| Greasy (kitchen, booth) | Monthly | As needed |
Cleaning by Type
- Plate exchanger: Pull cores, vacuum or wash with mild detergent, rinse, dry, reassemble. Avoid high-pressure jets that bend plates.
- Rotary wheel: Use the manufacturer’s wash cycle or soft brush; never soak the drive motor.
- Heat pipe: Wipe fins; check for bent tubes; verify no freeze damage seasonally.
- Run-around coil: Flush the glycol loop, check concentration, top up as needed.
What to Measure
- Pressure drop across the core vs baseline.
- Supply-air temperature rise vs design.
- Fan current (rises with clogging).
- Visible dust or film on plates/fins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pressure-wash plates?
Only with a wide fan nozzle at low pressure; high pressure dents plates and ruins the seal surface.
How do I know it is time to clean?
When measured pressure drop exceeds baseline by 15-20 % or effectiveness drops below spec.
Why a Maintenance Plan Pays
A clogged core can lose 15-30% of its effectiveness and push fan energy up with it. A scheduled inspection costs far less than the lost savings plus emergency downtime. Log pressure drop at commissioning as the baseline, then trend it monthly in harsh environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pressure-wash plates?
Only with a wide fan nozzle at low pressure; high pressure dents plates and ruins the seal surface.
How do I know it is time to clean?
When measured pressure drop exceeds baseline by 15-20% or effectiveness drops below spec.
Specify the right heat exchanger
Our engineers size the core to your airflow, temperature and pressure-drop budget, and select plate, rotary or heat-pipe recovery by application. Read the heat exchanger guide or contact us for a specification.
Related products
Plate, wheel or pipe recovery for HVAC and ventilation.
Stationary, high-surface-area cores for air and liquid.
High-effectiveness energy recovery for large airflows.
Passive, fully separated streams for clean applications.