An air handling unit (AHU) conditions outdoor air before it enters a building. Without recovery, that outdoor air must be heated or cooled from scratch every hour. Adding a heat recovery core to the AHU is the single highest-impact energy measure for ventilation systems.
Where the Exchanger Sits in an AHU
The recovery core is placed in the exhaust-to-supply air path, usually after the filters and before the supply fan. In modular AHUs, it drops into a dedicated section sized for the core dimensions.
Matching Exchanger Type to AHU Duty
| AHU duty | Recommended core |
|---|---|
| General office fresh air | Counter-flow plate or enthalpy wheel |
| Laboratory / hospital (clean) | Plate (no carryover) |
| High humidity climate | Roue rotative d'enthalpie |
| Retrofit, limited space | Heat pipe or run-around coil |
Integration Tips
- Keep face velocity in the 2–3 m/s range for balanced efficiency and pressure drop.
- Add bypass dampers for free cooling in mild weather.
- Use EC fans to capture part-load savings.
- Specify easy-access doors for core cleaning.
Voir notre modular AHU solutions for recovery-ready configurations.
Factory assembly and casing quality matter as much as the core itself. Specify a casing leakage class per EN 1886 so recovered air is not lost to the mechanical room, and confirm the core section has tool-free access doors for service. Place the filter stages ahead of the recovery core to protect it, and keep the supply fan after the core to avoid pressurizing the exhaust side. For clean applications, verify that face velocity and core bypass meet the required air-change rates. Commission the unit with the building management system so the bypass opens on cool days and the recovery core carries the heating or cooling load the rest of the year. Explore modular AHU solutions with recovery-ready sections in standard sizes.
Questions fréquemment posées
Can I retrofit an existing AHU?
Yes, if there is physical space and a matching exhaust duct. Heat pipes and run-around coils are the most retrofit-friendly.
Does recovery hurt IAQ?
No. Plate and heat-pipe cores keep streams separate; only enthalpy wheels transfer a little moisture, which is managed by purge sectors.
Questions fréquemment posées
Can I retrofit an existing AHU?
Yes, if there is physical space and a matching exhaust duct. Heat pipes and run-around coils are the most retrofit-friendly.
Does recovery hurt IAQ?
No. Plate and heat-pipe cores keep streams separate; only enthalpy wheels transfer a little moisture, which is managed by purge sectors.
Spécifiez le bon échangeur
Nos ingénieurs dimensionnent le noyau selon votre débit, température et budget de perte de charge, et choisissent la récupération par plaque, rotative ou caloduc selon l'application. Lisez le guide de l'échangeur , ou contactez-nous pour une spécification.
Produits connexes
Récupération par plaque, rotative ou caloduc pour le CVC et la ventilation.
Noyaux stationnaires à grande surface pour l'air et le liquide.
Récupération d'énergie à haute efficacité pour grands débits.
Courants passifs et totalement séparés pour applications propres.