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.