Heat ExchangerHeat Exchanger
Heat exchangers keep a balance of heat or energy to your filtered air space.
The heat exchanger maintains an equilibrium of indoor comfort. On hot days heat is kept out, on cold days heat is kept inside, exactly what you want. Any air filtration system serious about maintaining efficiency (see passive house) while achieving top-notch filtration, needs some form of heat exchange. The heat exchanger captures heat energy from outgoing exhaust air and uses that energy to pre heat and condition fresh air (drawn in and filtered from outside) before entering the dwelling. Dirty exhaust air and fresh clean air never mix in what is referred to as cross flow.
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) is used in both centralised and decentralised ventilation systems and the membrane used to conduct heat can be made out of a variety of different materials; metal (aluminium), plastic or even paper varieties exist.
Where humidity needs to be managed, Enthalpy or Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) exchangers work to maintain a required humidity.
Whether ERV or HRV systems work best in your climate, a good quality ventilation unit will always have condensate drainage, which removes any excess moisture that can build up in the system from time to time.