Heat Recovery Units

Since the introduction of the Energy related Products (ErP) regulations, the need to improve the efficiency of air handling solutions has driven demand for commercial heat recovery units that can fit increasingly tighter space, budgets and project timescales. With these factors having an influence on purchasing decisions, Jibin Kurian, national product manager for AHUs at FläktGroup UK, discusses the benefits of ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions. Before ErP legislation was introduced, heat recovery technology was often an option to accompany air handling units in commercial applications. Nowadays, the requirement to comply with energy efficiency standards means that heat recovery units with air treatment capability are the norm. But as costs, timescales and space for new and retrofit projects become increasingly squeezed, specifiers are looking to off-the-shelf solutions to address these challenges. Simple and standardised For projects where a simple rather than bespoke system fits the bill, it is possible to choose an off-the-shelf heat recovery unit provided that the air flow rate required is known. This negates the need for a technical expert to get involved in the design stage along with complex calculations and specifications, thus simplifying the procurement process. Lead times for standardised products are also shorter, enabling manufacturers to deliver their units to fit tight project timescales. Once on site, installation is also much easier. When a project is completed, system designs and project processes featuring the same standardised heat recovery unit can be replicated for similar developments further down the line. At FlaktGroup, we offer a range of standardised heat recovery units to cater for 0.1 up to 6 m3/s: the eCO PREMIUM, eQ PRIME, eQ TOP, eCO TOP and eCO SIDE. They all come fully packaged with controls that are compatible with any central BMS system; eCO units come with ISY teq mini controls whilst more advanced controls come integrated with eQ products. They are all designed to ‘plug and play’ with no further programming required - so after the units have been installed, only air balancing and controls commissioning needs to be carried out on site. Space saving As lettable space increasingly becomes a premium in commercial buildings, architects and designers are coming under pressure to allocate minimal area for heat recovery units and their associated ductwork. This is where our eCO PREMIUM unit, which comes with a plate heat exchanger offering up to 85% heat recovery, come into its own. Thanks to its compact design, it can be installed into ceiling voids and connect to existing infrastructure in that area. With all circular connections on the short sides of the unit, lifting devices, and the ability to fit through existing doorways, it makes light work of installation to save project time as well as space. Although our eCO TOP and eCO SIDE products are not designed to fit into the ceiling void, they also have small footprints, with connections on the side or top to link easily to a spiro duct system. Our eQ PRIME product, whose performance is Eurovent certified, also has a compact design and is available in eight sizes. What’s more, quick and reliable installation is possible with integrated controls and mounted VSD’s and cables for fast start up. Where there is no internal space for the heat recovery units, or when there is dedicated plant area on a building rooftop, products such as the eCO Premium and eQ PRIME are suitable to be located externally. These products come with high strength, anti-corrosive mechanical construction suitable for external mounting with a pitched roof. Low noise Apart from space, other site requirements should not be overlooked either. For example, educational institutions often require low noise levels to maintain an optimum learning and teaching environment. With a maximum noise level of 20dB at 3m, our eCO PREMIUM solution emits the lowest noise levels in the market. Conclusion With energy efficiency and IAQ currently at the top of the regulatory agenda, it is important for HVAC professionals to stay up to speed with the latest developments. By specifying off-the-shelf heat recovery units, designers can deliver ‘fresh’ air even where natural ventilation is not an option, whilst meeting space and project timescale requirements. For more information on FläktGroup’s range of heat recovery units. visit www.FläktGroup.com. or email uksales@flaktgroup.com

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