Household recuperator: what is it and what is it for

To ensure that the heat, which is removed through ventilation, was not wasted, recuperators were invented. These are heat exchangers that take heat from the air coming out of the room, and pass it back to the flow coming from the street. Thanks to the domestic recuperator can reduce the cost of heating a home from 30 to 70%, depending on the time of year, the area of the room and other factors.

How a recuperator works

Let's look at the example of a plate recuperator. It consists of several metal or plastic partitions. Warm air passes through the middle plate and heats it, while streams from the street, passing above and below it, take heat, and their temperature increases.

Household recuperators most often have copper or ceramic plates as heat exchangers. The body is round, in the form of a cassette. Inside the individual channels through which the air flows. The streams do not mix. The device is mounted in the wall.

Some models are equipped with a cellulose filter that absorbs excess moisture and gives it away if necessary, if a humidity sensor is installed. Heat exchangers can freeze at sub-zero temperatures, so heat accumulators and bypass valves are installed on them.

Another type of recuperators is rotary. It has an air-permeable heat exchanger, which is alternately cooled and heated. Flows from the room and from the street go through the same channel. This technology increases the efficiency of the recuperator and eliminates condensation. However, part of the air from the room is mixed with the fresh air from the street and returned to the room. Rotary models do not freeze, so they are suitable for regions with low winter temperatures.

Additional functions of recuperators:

• Humidity sensor - monitors the level of dampness in the air. When it gets too dry, moisture evaporates from the paper filter and saturates the air flow entering the room.
• CO2 sensor - detects excess carbon dioxide in the room, and the inflow of fresh air from the outside is increased.
• VOC sensor - reacts to the presence of volatile chemical compounds: aldehydes, alcohols, etc.
• Air filter that traps insects and dust.
• On/Off switch - is designed to turn the unit on, off, and adjust its settings.
• Wi-fi control - this is a wall or remote control. Wireless operation of the recuperator via a smartphone is possible. Such equipment is available in expensive advanced models.

Recuperator for the home serves an area of 20-25 m2. Choosing a model, take into account the height of the ceilings, the layout, the load of space with furniture, the number of people who use the room.

Advantages of household recuperators

Such energy-saving equipment provides several positive effects:

• Up to 97% of the heat from the air is transferred to the cold stream, heating it.
• No need to ventilate because the supply air comes from the street.
• Low electricity consumption - the recuperator only takes a few watts.
• Works quietly.
• The air is filtered and purified.
• Household recuperator can be installed in a living room or in a business space - in a store or office.
• Normalizes the humidity in the room. You don't have to buy a dehumidifier or humidifier.

Recuperators are used not only in winter to preserve heat. In summer, the air from the street is cooled in it from the cooler flow coming out of the room. Also this device filters the air and replaces ventilation.