Table of Contents
- Server racks produce a steady, high-temperature exhaust airflow. Outside air must often be cooled before entering the white space. Plate or heat-pipe exchangers transfer heat with no cross-contamination. Recovered heat can pre-heat offices, domestic hot water, or adsorption chillers.
- Factor Plate Exchanger Rotary Wheel Cross-contamination risk Very low Low with purge sector Moisture transfer Sensible only Enthalpy possible Efficiency 70–85 % 75–85 % Maintenance Low Moderate Best fit Cool/dry climates Humid climates
- Match exchanger capacity to IT load and airflow (CFM or m³/h). Design for N+1 redundancy if cooling is critical. Integrate with the building management system for variable-speed fan control. Include filtration upstream of the heat exchanger to protect fins and plates. Browse air-to-air heat exchanger products suitable for data center retrofits and new builds.
- Does heat recovery affect cooling redundancy? No, if the system is designed as a pre-cooling stage. Chillers or CRAC units remain as backup. Can recovered heat be reused? Yes. It can pre-heat make-up air, domestic water, or drive absorption cooling, depending on temperature level.
Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity for cooling. Much of that energy leaves the facility as low-grade waste heat. By using air-to-air heat exchangers, facilities can pre-cool incoming ventilation air with exhaust air, reducing the load on mechanical cooling and improving Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).
- Server racks produce a steady, high-temperature exhaust airflow.
- Outside air must often be cooled before entering the white space.
- Plate or heat-pipe exchangers transfer heat with no cross-contamination.
- Recovered heat can pre-heat offices, domestic hot water, or adsorption chillers.
| Factor | Plate Exchanger | Rotary Wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-contamination risk | Very low | Low with purge sector |
| Moisture transfer | Sensible only | Enthalpy possible |
| Efficiency | 70–85 % | 75–85 % |
| Maintenance | Low | Moderate |
| Best fit | Cool/dry climates | Humid climates |
- Match exchanger capacity to IT load and airflow (CFM or m³/h).
- Design for N+1 redundancy if cooling is critical.
- Integrate with the building management system for variable-speed fan control.
- Include filtration upstream of the heat exchanger to protect fins and plates.
Browse air-to-air heat exchanger products suitable for data center retrofits and new builds.
Does heat recovery affect cooling redundancy?
No, if the system is designed as a pre-cooling stage. Chillers or CRAC units remain as backup.
Can recovered heat be reused?
Yes. It can pre-heat make-up air, domestic water, or drive absorption cooling, depending on temperature level.