文章目录
- Confirm there is a dedicated exhaust and a matching supply. Measure airflow (m³/h or CFM) and temperature profiles. Note operating hours — recovery only pays where runtime is high.
- Constraint Best fit Exhaust far from supply Run-around coil No cross-contamination allowed Plate or heat pipe Humidity control needed Enthalpy wheel Tight mechanical room Heat pipe (compact)
- Add a bypass for mild-weather free cooling. Interlock with existing BMS via dry contacts or BACnet. Use variable-speed fans to follow load.
- Before commissioning, baseline energy use. After 3–6 months, compare to confirm payback matches the model.
- Do I need to replace the AHU? Usually not. Add-on cores or remote run-around coils can be fitted around existing equipment. What is the biggest retrofit risk? Undersized ducts causing high pressure drop; verify static pressure before specifying.
Retrofitting heat recovery into an existing building is different from designing new. Space, duct layout, and control integration usually drive the choice more than peak efficiency.
- Confirm there is a dedicated exhaust and a matching supply.
- Measure airflow (m³/h or CFM) and temperature profiles.
- Note operating hours — recovery only pays where runtime is high.
| Constraint | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Exhaust far from supply | Run-around coil |
| No cross-contamination allowed | Plate or heat pipe |
| Humidity control needed | Enthalpy wheel |
| Tight mechanical room | Heat pipe (compact) |
- Add a bypass for mild-weather free cooling.
- Interlock with existing BMS via dry contacts or BACnet.
- Use variable-speed fans to follow load.
Before commissioning, baseline energy use. After 3–6 months, compare to confirm payback matches the model.
Do I need to replace the AHU?
Usually not. Add-on cores or remote run-around coils can be fitted around existing equipment.
What is the biggest retrofit risk?
Undersized ducts causing high pressure drop; verify static pressure before specifying.