Recuperator – what is this device and why is it so important?

Technology has significantly improved our quality of life, in a good way, of course. We have access to a wide range of equipment that provides more comfort and helps us live more sustainably. One such example is the heat recovery unit.

Today, when installing new homes or renovating old ones, heat recovery is becoming as important as long-established systems: heating, lighting, etc.

We will help those considering purchasing a heat recovery system make a decision by answering key questions: what is a heat recovery system, how does it work, why is it worth installing it, and what benefits does it provide?

Recuperator – what is it and why is it important in the home?

Looking at a recuperator, we would describe it as a quadrangular device with four ventilation openings. However, a recuperator should be understood as a system, not a single item.

Recuperator – a ventilation system device that ensures continuous air circulation indoors: it supplies fresh air from outside and removes bad air from indoors, while preserving heat.

When answering the question of what a recuperator is, it is worth emphasizing its sustainability - the system takes care of ventilation of rooms by reusing up to 95 percent of the heat removed from the rooms along with the used air.

What are the most important elements of a heat exchanger?

Main parts of the heat exchanger:

• FansThey blow and pull air, so they are one of the most important elements. The quality of the recuperator is greatly influenced by the power of the fans and the design of the motors.
• Heat exchangerEnsures temperature exchange between the air supplied from the outside and the air removed from the premises.
• Air filters. Their purpose is to clean the air supplied from the outside and removed from the premises. They are usually installed in such a way that they can be easily accessed, since the filters are either replaced or cleaned. This is worth paying attention to when considering, which recuperator to choose, because higher quality filters are usually not cleaned, they need to be replaced, and the price is considerable. So when purchasing a recuperator with such filters, consider the future costs.
• Housing. What we see from the outside. The housing houses the aforementioned parts of the heat exchanger and connects them together.

What is the operating principle of a heat exchanger?

Generally speaking, a recuperator is part of a recuperation system, which is temperature exchange occurring between two air flows (leaving the premises and entering from outside). 

How is this happening? The air leaving the premises transfers its heat to the air flow that is entering from outside at that time. The latter transfers its lower temperature back to it. The heat exchanger in the recuperator is responsible for this exchange.

Who needs a recuperator?

The main purpose of a heat recovery unit is to ventilate rooms while maintaining the temperature in them. However, the device has many more advantages:

• Recuperators additionally filters the air coming from outsideby removing pollutants from it.
• These devices are indoors regulates humidity levels, which is extremely important in the context of mold development and a comfortable microclimate.
• Helps reduce heating costs, because the energy of the air removed from the premises is used, thus reducing the energy demand for heating.
• Recuperation system especially relevant in airtight, energy-efficient homes. However, if you live in an apartment or want a simpler solution without ducts, it is worth considering mini recuperator, which ensure the supply of fresh air in smaller spaces.

In addition to energy efficiency, these devices significantly contribute to a healthier microclimate: they remove dust, pollen, and allergens from the air, maintain proper humidity balance, and reduce the risk of mold and respiratory diseases.

What is the difference between a recuperator and regular ventilation?

Many people, lacking more knowledge about modern ventilation solutions, think that a recuperator and a conventional ventilation system are the same. However, in fact, they are two different solutions that differ in both their operating principle and efficiency.

Normal ventilation

Indoor ventilation is the process by which indoor air is removed to the outside and fresh air from the outside is supplied to the inside of the premises.The key task of a ventilation system is to ensure constant exchange of outdoor and indoor air, while simultaneously purifying the air of harmful substances. This exchange ensures the removal of carbon dioxide and air pollutants from the air.

By the way, ventilation of rooms should not be confused with cooling, which is also often done. Devices such as air conditioners and fans can move air indoors, effectively reduce the temperature and ensure comfort, but they do not clean the air, so cooling should definitely not be equated with the operation of ventilation systems.

Ventilation with a recuperator

The recuperator also ensures the entry of fresh air from outside into the premises, but It differs from conventional ventilation in that it also warms the air coming in from outside, using as much of the heat energy already present in the premises as possible.

This is a very sustainable and economical solution, as the heat recovery unit ensures ventilation of the premises by returning a large part of the energy for reuse.

Are you looking for a quality recuperator?

As we have already discussed, a properly selected heat recovery unit has a significant impact on indoor air quality and comfort. If you are looking for reliable equipment for your home, take a look at Recuperators offered by OroTech – various models are offered, so you will definitely find the right one for your individual needs.