The best recuperators of 2022 for home, office, apartment: description, advantages, installation

Supply and exhaust ventilation of a house is when fresh air from outside the building comes inside, displacing exhaust air. In this way, the air space in the premises is purified, plus the standard oxygen concentration is ensured.

But at low temperatures outside, incoming air masses reduce the temperature inside the house. To prevent this from happening, a recuperator is installed in the ventilation network. And to increase operating efficiency, you need to use only the best recuperators.

What is a recuperator

This is equipment in which the supply and exhaust air flows are separated by a metal wall. The incoming air has a lower temperature and the outgoing air has a higher temperature. To raise the temperature of the first, it is necessary for the second flow to give up its thermal energy before being released into the street.

Since this cannot be done directly, without intermediaries, heat is transferred through the metal. Because it has the highest thermal conductivity. And the thinner the metal wall and the larger its area, the more efficient the transmission.

It turns out that the recuperator is a simple heat exchanger. The main purpose of its creation is to save on heating costs. Because the supply air is heated without using any energy.

This system can only operate in a supply and exhaust ventilation network. If there is one in the house, then installing a ventilator in it will not be difficult.

For a private home, recovery is an opportunity to help the main heating. During its operation, thermal energy savings amount to up to 6 kW per day. This depends on 3 factors:

• the number of people living in the house;
• number of rooms in the house;
• how many living rooms are in the building, how many utility and service rooms are there?

Manufacturers offer heat exchangers with high efficiency - 70-80%. The temperature of the air that leaves the recuperator into the house depends on this indicator.

There are special formulas that can be used to calculate the temperature indicator taking into account the efficiency of the device. One of them: t=efficiency x (t1-t2) + t2, where:

• t1 – temperature inside the rooms;
• t2 – outdoor temperature.

For example, if it is 0º outside, +22 ℃ inside the house, efficiency is 75%, then the temperature of the air coming from the recuperator will be: t=0.75 x (22-0) + 0 = 16.5 ℃.

Taking into account different heat losses, this figure in reality will be less. Approximately – +15 ℃.

Advantages and disadvantages of recuperators

A ventilation network with a recuperator has its strengths:

• assistance to the home heating system without additional energy investments;
• saving money on heating;
• ease of installation and maintenance;
• almost zero costs for operating the recuperator;
• full automation of processes;
• the equipment operates quietly;
• long service life.

Among the disadvantages of the recuperator, the following should be highlighted:

1. The heat exchanger inside the ventilation system creates aerodynamic resistance. But it is not large - up to 100 Pa. Still, you need to choose a fan for the system taking this indicator into account.
2. A ventilation network without a recuperator costs less than with one. Plus, the complexity of maintenance increases. Not by much, but there is an increase. Although all this is compensated by receiving additional heat without investment.
3. In some types of recuperators, there is a possibility of air flow leaks - air from the exhaust circuit can enter the supply circuit. For private housing construction this is not so critical. But if ventilation with a recuperator is installed in infectious diseases hospitals and special laboratories, then this drawback can be dangerous due to the entry of viruses and pathogens into the building. Therefore, at such facilities, equipment of the freon type or with an intermediate coolant is installed.
4. Some types of recuperators have large dimensions. For example, lamellar. Therefore, adequate space is required for their installation.

Types of recuperators

Manufacturers offer 5 types of recovery units:

• lamellar;
• rotary;
• with intermediate coolant;
• freon;
• chamber

The first two are used in private housing construction. They are independent energetically. Easy to install and maintain. The price is low compared to other models and types.

Plate recuperator

The name of the device was given according to its design features. The main heat exchange element is several plates, between which air passes from 2 circuits of the ventilation system: supply and exhaust.

The plates are located in a special closed box. Gaps are left between them. The plates form cells through which air moves. The movement occurs in a checkerboard pattern. In one cell the air flow moves from the supply circuit, in the next from the exhaust circuit, then from the supply circuit, and so on alternately.

Air flows from different circuits do not mix. They contact each other through plates made of material with high thermal conductivity. Through it, thermal energy is transferred from the air from the exhaust network to the air from the supply network.

To prevent the recuperator itself from becoming clogged with dust over time, it has filters installed. One is on the inflow side, the other is on the exhaust side. In any case, the air enters the rooms of the house purified.

The temperature difference in the 2 circuits, especially in winter, causes condensation to form. For this purpose, a tray is installed in the recuperator, connected to the house sewer system.

The condensation formed on the plates increases the thermal conductivity of the plates themselves. Equipment efficiency increases dramatically.

Plate recuperators do not have the highest efficiency. It does not exceed 65%. Suitable for private houses. After all, recovery is just an addition to the heating system.

Operating efficiency can be increased by adding an additional cassette of plates to the recuperator, thereby increasing the contact area of ​​media with different temperatures. The larger the area, the more intense the heat transfer occurs.

The advantages of the model can be added:

• the absence of rotating, moving parts, multi-level or multi-block assemblies, which guarantees long-term operation of the device;
• no units requiring power supply.

Flaws:

• in winter, the heat exchange unit is covered with ice inside and out, which reduces efficiency;
• difficult to make with your own hands.

Manufacturers have recently begun to combat the first disadvantage effectively. To do this, the unit uses the “defrost” mode. This is a separate channel operating in inflow mode. It is a bypass, passing in addition to the recuperator.Cold air from the street is supplied directly to the rooms of the house, reducing the temperature inside for a while. The lower the temperature, the lower the air humidity. Ice formation is reduced accordingly.

There is another option. For this purpose, instead of metal plates, plates made of hygroscopic cellulose are used. The latter absorbs moisture well, passes it through itself and releases it to the air flows of the supply circuit. This type of recuperator is recommended for installation in residential buildings.

Rotary

The name of the recuperator comes from the word “rotor”. This is a part in the form of a shaft that rotates about its axis. Such a shaft is present in a rotary recuperator. It has a large number of plates or pipes installed on it. Their location is along the axis of the shaft.

Structurally, the result is a cylinder with a large number of longitudinal gaps. Air from 2 circuits passes through them.

Operating principle of a rotary recuperator:

1. Cold air from the street and warm air from the rooms of the house pass through the plate cylinder.
2. Each medium has exactly half a cylindrical part.
3. Warm air heats its part.
4. The rotor rotates and moves the heated half into position when cold air passes into the rooms.
5. Here, the heated plates give off heat to the cold air, causing the temperature of the latter to become higher.
6. At this time, the second half is heated, which then moves into place.
7. The rotor part of the recuperator works continuously without stopping, in a cyclic mode.

The uniqueness of the design is that the heated air also draws humidity into the rooms, which remains in the form of condensation on the walls of the plates. This eliminates the need to install humidifiers in the building. The efficiency of the rotary model is higher - up to 80%.

At the same time, you can regulate the efficiency and intensity of heat transfer. To do this, you need to reduce or increase the rotor speed. The faster the shaft rotates, the intensity of heat transfer decreases. And vice versa. If we compare the plate design and the rotary one, the latter is more compact.

Speaking about high efficiency, it must be noted that not everything is so smooth with this indicator. It's all about the design of the recuperator itself. When the rotor rotates, some of the air from the exhaust system remains in the cylinder and is returned through the inflow back into the premises.

To reduce this effect, manufacturers install purge sectors in the design. Their task is to expel the remaining air from the exhaust circuit back into the hood. But with the air flow, heat also escapes into the hood. Hence the decrease in efficiency. It's small, but present.

The design of the rotary recuperator itself is complex. In addition to the cylinder on the shaft, it includes a housing, a belt drive and a motor. The unit is energy dependent. And although the engine power is small, there is a problem with frequent power outages, especially in suburban villages. No power - the recuperator does not work.

The recuperator has rotating parts. This reduces service life and increases maintenance difficulty. And although there are no problems with the latter, everything can be done with your own hands; most consumers use the services of specialists. And these are expenses.

Recuperator with intermediate coolant

Structurally, these are 2 classic heat exchangers connected to each other by pipes and shut-off valves. The essence of the unit’s operation is that one heat exchanger is installed in the ventilation duct of the exhaust system, the second in the supply system. Water or an aqueous glycol solution moves inside.The movement is provided by a circulation pump.

It turns out like this:

• the water in the heat exchanger installed in the exhaust network is heated by air from the house;
• it is pumped through pipes to the second heat exchanger, where it transfers thermal energy to the air from the street;
• after which it moves through another pipe into the first heat exchanger;
• the process is repeated.

Advantages of the model:

• the streams will never be able to move;
• exhaust and inflow pipelines can be located far from each other;
• Installation of heat exchangers and pipes can be carried out in a vertical or horizontal position.

There is only one drawback of a recovery unit - low efficiency due to the intermediate coolant. It is 45-55%. The fork is wide, because the efficiency in this case depends on the speed of movement of the coolant, and therefore on the speed of pumping. The unit is energy dependent.

Chamber

The simplest design. A valve is installed inside the chamber body. It rotates around its axis, opening one part of the chamber, then another. Air from the hood enters one part, heating the walls and space. The damper then moves and opens the heated half to cold air from outside. At this time, the second part heats up. And everything repeats with the movement of the valve.

The efficiency of the chamber recuperator is up to 80%. But it has several disadvantages:

• rotating parts;
• mixing of flows due to which efficiency is reduced and odors are transmitted.

Freon

This is the most expensive type of recuperator and is structurally complex. The heat transfer technology is based on the physical capabilities of the refrigerant. In this case, freon. It boils quickly at low positive temperatures and also quickly condenses, releasing large thermal energy.

The freon recuperator is a coil installed vertically. Its lower part is blown by warm air coming from the premises of the house. The top one is cold from the street.

At the bottom, freon boils from heating, turns into steam, and moves to the top. Here it encounters cold air and condenses, releasing heat. The latter is transmitted through the walls of the coil to the street air. Having turned into liquid, freon falls to the lower part under the influence of physical forces. The process is repeated.

Compact recuperator for apartments

All of the above units are used for installation in private homes. They are bulky and require free space for installation. Therefore, most often they are installed in the attic, where ventilation ducts are laid.

For apartments, manufacturers produce separate recuperators - breathers. There are several models. The simplest is a unit that works for exhaust and air supply alternately.

Variability is 40-70 seconds. For example, for 40 seconds the air from the room is removed outside, heating the channel through which it flows. The next 40 seconds are the opposite - cold air is pumped into the house from the street, passing through a heated duct, heating up.

Such breathers can also work either only for inflow or only for exhaust.

Another model with 2 channels: exhaust and supply. But they are all compact. They don't need a ventilation system. They are installed in a through hole made in the wall.

The inside of the device is closed with a grille in a beautiful frame. On the outside there is only a grille. Inside the pipe housing there is a duct fan that drives air flow back and forth. Works well in combination with air conditioning.

Recuperators of this type are not the best.Located only in one room, they create problems in others. Apartment buildings have a central ventilation network.

The recuperator is its competitor, which creates either a vacuum or pressure at one point. Accordingly, in other rooms the flows operating through the lines of the ventilation system are disrupted. The most unpleasant moment in this situation is stagnation of air in distant rooms.

What to look for when choosing

There are several indicators and characteristics that are criteria for choosing a recuperator. The most important is air exchange. This characteristic is embedded in sanitary norms and rules that apply to all objects, regardless of purpose.

For each room, a complex calculation is made taking into account 3 factors:

• volume;
• ceiling height;
• number of windows.

That's why ventilation system are calculated by narrow-purpose specialists. They will also take into account the presence of a recuperator in the network. The easiest way to choose air exchange for residential premises is 30 m per person³/hour. This is the minimum value. The optimal is 60 m³/hour. For the kitchen, bathroom and other service rooms the value is greater.

If 4 people live in a house, then the recuperator capacity should be 60x4=240 m³/hour. Usually, when calculating, another 20% is added for the resistance of various devices and devices: filters, grilles, taps, etc.

And other selection criteria:

• the material from which the recuperator is made;
• functionality of the unit;
• installation method;
• room type.

Material

The heat exchanger body is made of galvanized metal sheets or aluminum. For plate models, the main selection criterion is the material of the plates. There are 3 types used here:

• aluminum;
• plastic;
• hygroscopic cellulose;
• polymer membrane.

The first two freeze over in winter, and this is a big problem. The last two allow not only heat but also moisture to pass through them. That's a plus. For the former, today manufacturers solve problems. A recent proposal is additional heating of the plates with low voltage electric current. That is, the plate recuperator becomes energy-dependent. But these are small costs while increasing the efficient operation of the unit.

Since the recuperator is usually installed in unheated rooms, its body is insulated. This also applies to ventilation ducts.

Functional

It is better to give preference to models with built-in sensitive and reliable automation. With it you will not have to constantly contact the ventilation system for various reasons. Automation will do everything itself.

Options that you need to pay attention to when choosing a recuperator:

• devices responsible for the operation of the fan, regulation of its power and impeller rotation speed;
• devices that monitor air flow;
• effective filtration system;
• timers.

Recuperators on the market are presented in different designs, which take into account operating conditions. That is, high or low temperature, humidity, etc. Therefore, recovery units can be additionally equipped with humidifiers, heaters, dryers, and coolers.

Manufacturers have recently offered recuperators that can be connected to the Smart Home system. In any case, all of the above options make it possible to use the system without human intervention; with their help, the quality of home ventilation is increased and maintenance costs are reduced.

Installation Methods

Recuperators can be wall-mounted, mounted or floor-mounted. Horizontal type of installation or vertical.You will have to choose according to the specific ventilation parameters of the house, according to the location where the ventilation network itself is located.

It is more often recommended that installation be carried out in attics or basements. Boiler rooms, storage rooms and other outbuildings, extensions or rooms inside the house are suitable.

The main thing is to place the recuperator away from bedrooms and children's rooms. After all, the equipment operates with little noise, which will interfere with your rest.

In apartments, breathers are mounted on external walls - preferably on the side of the balcony or dressing room.

Selection according to the type of room

Ventilation of any type works according to the same principle - from one point fresh air from the street enters the house, from another point exhaust air from the premises is removed to the street. There are clear standards for where to place the openings of the exhaust circuits and where the supply circuits are located.

The first are located in service and utility rooms: kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, corridors, hallways. The second ones are in living rooms - bedrooms, living rooms, children's rooms, offices, etc. The whole point is that residential premises should be ventilated as the main premises, service and utility premises as indirect ones, that is, in small portions.

Often, if living rooms are large, experts recommend installing both supply and exhaust ducts in them. This is the first thing to consider.

Secondly, kitchens, bathrooms and toilets must be equipped with separate hoods. The latter are installed either in the central ventilation system of the building, or in windows or external walls. In general, you should not connect the kitchen and bathroom to ventilation with a recuperator. Wet vapors on the surfaces of the unit parts will begin to collect dirt, layers of which will quickly begin to grow. This will reduce openings and gaps, which will cause a decrease in the efficiency of the recuperator and a decrease in efficiency.

And one more tip - the correct location of the external openings of the supply system. They must be located;

• away from chimneys and kitchen hoods;
• not from the side where the wind blows - less dust and dirt.

Selection by manufacturer

There are many offers on the market. Choosing something suitable is not so easy. But there are companies that are well-known in the field of household appliances. They also manufacture recuperators of various types. It is these manufacturers who top the ranking of the best recuperators of 2021.

It is impossible to make TOP 10 models in one category. But you can combine several of each separately.

Rating of plate recuperators

In first place is Electrolux EPVS-1100. This is a monoblock heat exchanger of small dimensions, which makes it possible to place it even between the base ceiling and a false ceiling structure. It has double insulation: inside and outside, which reduces noise.

Advantages:

• Efficiency – 90%;
• warranty period – 2 years;
• two-speed fan;
• the shape is a hexagon, which made it possible to increase the area of ​​the unit by a third;
• control via remote control;
• the design has a timer;
• automation;
• anti-freeze system.

Two disadvantages:

• the most expensive plate-type recuperator;
• lack of heating system.

In second place is the Mitsubishi Electric Lossnay VL-50SR2-E. A simple design in which a damper is inserted into the supply channel. With its help you can regulate the supply of fresh air from the street. This is relevant in winter, when it becomes necessary to reduce the supply of cold air masses into the house.

Advantages:

• vertical or horizontal installation;
• Efficiency – 80%;
• internal insulation.

There is only one drawback - it makes a lot of noise when running at full power.

The third position in the 2021 ranking is Shuft UniMAX-P 1500 SW-A.The same small-sized unit, whose pipes can be located either on the left or on the right. It is equipped with a heating element: either electric or water.

Advantages:

• installation either wall-mounted or floor-mounted;
• high quality thermal insulation;
• fine filters are installed at the inlet and outlet, which are changed once every six months;
• fan with low operating noise;
• separate route for condensate drainage.

The rating of four is completed by the Royal Clima Soffio RCS 950 2.0. A compact heat exchanger that can be hung on a wall or installed between the base and finishing surfaces of the ceiling. The plates are membranes that conduct moisture through themselves. The unit works well with cold air at a temperature of -20 ℃. No heating system is required here.

Advantages:

• three-speed fan;
• sophisticated condensate drainage system;
• two-level timer;
• supply and exhaust fans operate independently of each other;
• well-functioning automation;
• The filters are reusable - you just need to vacuum them out.
• No deficiencies found.

We need to add another Vents PR 700x400 recuperator to the list. He was in the TOP 4 of 2020. Unit with a cross-shaped passage. Made of steel, which is covered with aluminum plates. Simple design without heaters and coolers, hence the low price. This is what attracts consumers.

Rating of the best rotary-type heat exchangers

There are no seats or positions given out here. A rating was simply created that included four models. The first of them is Lessar LV-RACU 400 VER. It is produced in factories located in different countries: China, Czech Republic, Sweden and Lithuania.

But all models are equipped with fans from a German manufacturer, which operate very quietly. At the same time, electric motors are economical.Savings are up to 60% of the nominal value.

Advantages;

• Efficiency – 75%;
• insulation – mineral wool 5 mm thick;
• body – galvanized;
• warranty period – 3 years;
• simple design, easy to maintain.

No deficiencies were found.

The next model is Breezart 2700 Aqua RR. This is a Russian brand that is produced at a Russian plant. One of the advantages is high-tech automation, which makes it possible to connect to the “smart home” system, control the operation of the recuperator via smartphones or computers, monitor the quality of the filters, and configure the unit.

Other benefits:

• 2 operating modes – Comfort and Restart;
• insulated body;
• control via a remote control with a built-in monitor;
• G4 coarse filters;
• weekly timer.

There is only one drawback - the high price.

Next up is the Systemair Topvex SR06 L-CAV. This is one of the most expensive recuperators. The reason is that high quality components are used. The case is made of steel with high reliability in terms of protection and burglary. No condensation forms inside.

Other advantages:

• Efficiency – 80%;
• the doors in the building are large, which allows for easy and convenient penetration inside for maintenance;
• built-in automation.

And the last one is Blauberg Komfort Roto EC LE1000-4.5. German brand, ensuring the operation of the recuperator even in severe frosts. A heater is built into the design.

Advantages:

• Efficiency – 80%;
• automation;
• noise level – low;
• low heat loss;
• adjusting the operation of fans;
• monitoring the condition of filters;
• protection class – high;
• There is a built-in alarm system to notify you of an accident.

No disadvantages were found in the recuperator.

Breezer rating

To bring the TOP 10 best recuperators to a complete list, you need to add two of the best breathers to it.

The first is Ballu ONEAIR ASP-200 from a Chinese manufacturer. This is a household inverter-type recuperator. Does not freeze even at -45 ℃. Designed to work in rooms up to 75 m2².

Advantages;

• air ionization;
• presence of a UV lamp;
• ceramic heater;
• availability of a “smart home” application via WI-FI;
• noise does not exceed 45 dB, this is with a productivity of 200 m³/hour;
• aroma capsule, which aromatizes incoming air flows;
• effective filter system.

The price in the segment is above average, which many consumers consider a disadvantage.

The second is Blauberg Winzel Expert Wi-fi from a German manufacturer. This is a bestseller for 2022 due to its high energy savings.

Advantages:

• two fans – doubled the power of the recuperator;
• humidity sensors that monitor this indicator indoors;
• several operating modes;
• WI-FI module, with which you can configure and control the operation of recuperator systems;
• Efficiency – 93%;
• minimum power consumption – 5-7 W;
• low noise level - at night 11 dB, during the day no more than 30 dB;
• ease of management and maintenance.

There is only one drawback - the high price.

Energy saving has become an important component in people's lives. Therefore, recuperators are equipment that today becomes part of homes, offices and other facilities.

There are many offers on the market, it is difficult to choose something worthwhile. That’s why ratings are created, which are based on reviews from experts, consumers, and manufacturers. A classification is created that takes into account the technical characteristics of the unit, its price, its design qualities and other indicators.But, in any case, everyone decides for themselves which recuperator to buy for a house or apartment.

Please leave your thoughts about recuperators in the comments. Maybe someone will share their own experience of using this device.