Heat recovery comes in two broad forms. Air-to-air exchangers move heat directly between two air streams. Air-to-water devices (like run-around coils or exhaust water heaters) transfer heat into a fluid loop that can serve distant or mixed loads. Side-by-Side Factor Air-to-Air Air-to-Water Streams Two air ducts Air + water/glycol loop Distance Short (cores co-located) Long […]
Plate vs Rotary vs Heat Pipe: How to Choose a Heat Exchanger
Choosing the right air-to-air heat exchanger depends on airflow, temperature, humidity, installation space, and contamination risk. This guide compares the three most common technologies. Quick Comparison Feature Plate Exchanger Rotary Wheel Heat Pipe Efficiency High (70–85 %) High (75–85 %) Moderate (50–70 %) Moving parts None Motor/bearings None Cross-contamination Very low Low with purge Zero […]