Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), particularly those equipped with efficient energy recovery wheels, enhance HVAC systems by 20 to 40% relative to systems without ERVs. However, specific wheel designs, such as those utilizing polymer technology, can yield even greater savings over time.
Though often overlooked initially, the choice of wheel type can significantly affect long-term cost and performance outcomes. Airxchange® offers polymer-based energy recovery wheels that stand out for their efficiency.
Compact Design, Comparable Efficiency
The Airxchange® polymer wheels provide equivalent efficiency and performance to traditional metal media wheels but offer a more compact design.
This compactness allows engineers to select smaller HVAC unit cabinets, leading to reduced space requirements and potentially lowering capital expenses through the use of less material.
Cleaner Wheels, Greater Savings
Unlike metal wheels, these polymer wheels are fully submersible, facilitating easier cleaning processes
A clean energy recovery wheel boosts efficiency by maintaining consistent airflow and stable cubic feet per minute (CFM) without increased energy consumption.
The segmented design of Airxchange® polymer wheels allows for convenient piece-by-piece removal and cleaning, minimizing downtime and labor costs. Unlike metal wheels, these polymer wheels are fully submersible, facilitating easier cleaning processes.
Durable Performance with Embedded Desiccant
In Airxchange® energy recovery wheels, the desiccant is integrated into the polymer media, unlike the surface application seen in metal wheels.
This integration prevents wear and degradation, ensuring consistent performance. Moreover, this approach enhances the overall efficiency of the HVAC system, as it operates with less effort, leading to cost savings.
Simplified Maintenance for Cost Efficiency
If a segment is damaged, it can be replaced without the need for an entirely new wheel
The segmented nature of polymer wheels provides clear maintenance advantages. If a segment is damaged, it can be replaced without the need for an entirely new wheel. Additionally, the lightweight and washable media can be cleaned swiftly with common cleaning agents, facilitating a quick turnaround.
Although the media is polymer, the housing and frame are constructed from stainless steel, offering the same structural integrity as metal wheels without their disadvantages.
Resilient Material for Longevity
Polymer wheels are more forgiving of debris damage than their metal counterparts. The material's pliability allows it to withstand minor impacts without compromising performance, thus reducing repair costs and maintaining the wheel's initial efficiency.
Overall, the benefits of polymer energy recovery wheels, such as those by Airxchange®, are numerous and worthwhile for consideration. Interested parties wanting further insight into their functionality and potential for savings are encouraged to reach out for more detailed information.
The beauty of an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) – and the energy recovery wheel inside of it – is its ability to allow them to create an HVAC system that’s 20 to 40% more efficient than one without an ERV. But, what if a specific type of wheel could save they even more money over the course of its life, due to how it’s made?
While often not examined out of the gate, considering which type of wheel to use in the system can have a significant, tangible impact on cost and performance over the years. They just need to know what to look for. The answer lies within polymer – specifically, Airxchange®’s energy recovery wheels that use a polymer media. If you’re wondering why, let’s dig in.
More compact, Same Performance
Airxchange® polymer wheels deliver the same efficiency and performance as wheels that use metal media. That’s because with polymer, the wheel can be designed for a more compact space.
Why does this matter? Because, when selecting a HVAC unit for the facility, engineers are able to use smaller cabinets, which equates to less space needed for the unit. Using less material can equate to lower product costs, meaning them potentially can save on capital expenses.
Keep it Clean, Save the Green
Yes, a cleaner energy recovery wheel is more efficient than a dirty one. When the media isn’t clogged, airflow is better and CFM remains stable without needing to use more energy to drive more air through the system.
Because Airxchange® polymer wheels are truly segmented – meaning they can be removed in pieces for cleaning – you have minimal downtime and also reduced labor costs.
Unlike the metal wheels contained in other ERVs, Airxchange®’s polymer wheel is entirely submersible, which lessens downtime associated with cleaning.
Permanently Embedded Desiccant, Ongoing Performance
In Airxchange® energy recovery wheels, desiccant is worked into the polymer media, rather than being applied to the surface as is the case with metal wheels.
That proprietary approach means the desiccant doesn’t wear off or degrade over time. The result: Consistent performance. Additionally, it leads to cost savings because when ERV performance remains high, the rest of the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, which helps with efficiency and cost savings.
Easy Maintenance, Easy Money
Segmented polymer wheels have clear benefits when it comes to maintenance. For starters, they’re, well, segmented. This means they can easily remove one piece if it’s damaged and replace it. That saves them from needing an entirely new wheel.
Also, the media is light and easy to clean (as they already noted). They can remove the wheel, wash it with a general degreaser (any kitchen soap will work great) and have it back up and running – all within less than a couple hours per wheel.
It’s important to note that only the media in Airxchange® wheels are polymer. The housing and frame is made with stainless steel. Therefore, it has the same structural integrity as a metal wheel but without the drawbacks. All this leads to less downtime and better performance, which equates to less dollars spent on maintenance for them.
Forgiving Material Matters
If they’ve fixed an HVAC system, they know the kind of debris that can fly through it and damage the energy recovery wheel. If that wheel is metal, it’s likely damaged in a way that’s going to affect performance. Either the metal is dented or deformed in a way that impacts its ability to work how it should.
Polymer wheels, on the contrary, “bounce back” when hit with most debris. Given the pliable nature of the material, it’s less susceptible to damage from foreign objects. That saves repair costs and also ensures the wheel continues to operate with the efficiency it had when first installed.
Overall, polymer wheels bring a lot of benefits to the table that often aren’t thought of at first glance. If they want to learn more – or see the science behind it – send them a note any time.
