AIC is the leading manufacturer of world class heat exchangers. It is our endeavor to provide the best product at the best price without any compromise on the quality. We also believe in educating our customers and visitors about various aspects of heat exchangers so that they can take well informed sound decision when buying one for domestic or industrial application. In this section we will discuss various features of Air to Air heat exchangers.
But first let us start by understanding what exactly an Air to Air heat exchanger is. The air to air Heat exchanger uses two air streams for heat transfer. It is a typical system used in Air conditioners. The counter flow type of Air to Air heat exchanger allows the flow of air parallel to each other but going in opposite directions. Whereas the cross flow Air to Air heat exchanger has these two air flows running perpendicular to each other. Remember there is no cross contamination of the two air flows and only heat is exchanged in this process.
According to their functionality and way of working, these heat exchangers can be classified as Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) or Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs).
Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs)
HRVs are conventional systems that are also known as mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems. They use counter flow and cross flow of two air streams to cool or warm the confined interiors depending on the requirement of the user. It uses the heat of the escaping stale air from the confined space to preheat the incoming fresh air.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)
ERVs use advanced technology and their emphasis is on heat transfer aided by energy recovery. What this system does is that it re-captures the energy contained in escaping building or room air and uses it to pre-condition the incoming fresh air. But do not confuse economizers with ERVs. They are two different systems working on two different methods. However, both of them help in conserving, re-capturing and using energy that would otherwise go waste.
Difference between HRV and ERV
The first and foremost is the very age of these technologies. HRVs are considered traditional whereas ERVs are more modern and technologically more advance. Typical efficiency of HRVs is from 50-70% but some ultra modern systems using cutting edge design can give over 90% of efficiency. ERVs not only capture the heat but also some amount of humidity which makes the confined space ambient and reasonably humid during winters. This mechanism is reversed in summer when the humidity is high outdoors and needs to be kept at bay.
The best way to choose between these Air to Air heat exchanger systems is to determine the weather pattern in your region. If the winters are too dry, go for an ERV as it will conserve the already existing moisture inside the house. Again, if the summers are really humid then ERV will be your best choice as HRV would transfer more humidity from outside, thus making the interiors highly humid during summer time.