Annual Energy Performance of an Air Handling Unit with a Cross-Flow Heat Exchanger

Abstract

Heat recovery from ventilation air is proven technology resulting in significant energy savings in modern buildings. The article presents an energy analysis of an air handling unit with a cross-flow heat exchanger in an office building in Poland. Measurements were taken during one year of operation, from 1 August 15 to 31 July 16, covering both heating and cooling periods. Calculated annual temperature efficiency of heat and cold recovery amounted to 65.2% and 64.6%, respectively, compared to the value of 59.5% quoted by the manufacturer. Monthly efficiency of heat recovery was from 37.6% in August to 68.7% in November, with 63.9% on average compared to 59.5% declared by the manufacturer. Cold recovery was from 63.3% in April to 72.8% in September, with 68.1% annually. Calculated recovered heat and cold amounted 25.6 MWh and 0.26 MWh, respectively. Net energy savings varied from −0.46 kWh/m2 in August, when consumption by fans exceeded savings, to 5.60 kWh/m2 in January.

Peculiarities of thermal calculation of cross-flow plate air recuperators

“…The use of organized supply ventilation systems with the installation of heat recovery devices is the only energetically, economically and socially justified method of significant (up to 60-80%) reduction of heat costs of heating systems and air conditioning systems. It allows you to use the heat of exhaust air as a secondary energy resource (SER) [4][5][6].…”