Energy Recovery Systems

Introduction to Energy Recovery Systems

Building owners can use energy recovery systems to recover the hot or cold air exhausted from a building and use it to heat or cool incoming air. Energy recovery system benefits include reduced energy consumption, improved indoor air quality, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Common types of energy recovery systems include heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). HRVs only transfer temperature while ERVs transfer temperature and moisture. 

How Energy Recovery Systems Work

Energy recovery systems typically use a series of plates or a rotating wheel to transfer or recover energy between the air exhausted from a building to the ventilation air coming into the building. This reduces the amount of energy that is needed to heat or cool the air being brought into the building for ventilation. 

Average Lifespan: 20-30 years

Typical Payback Period: 3-10 years

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