When considering energy recovery wheels for HVAC systems, it's crucial to account not just for the initial cost but also for installation expenses. This situation is similar to buying a used car with hidden repair needs or purchasing a house with unexpected maintenance issues.
Installation considerations can be particularly important given that these wheels, used in commercial applications, can handle up to 60,000 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) of air, making them quite large and complex to manage.
Advantages of Polymer Energy Recovery Wheels
Metal wheels typically require a crane for placement, as they are heavy and cumbersome
The choice of a polymer energy recovery wheel, known for its true segmentation, can considerably reduce installation time and associated costs.
Unlike traditional metal wheels, polymer wheels help avoid the need for cranes during installation, especially in large facilities or urban areas. Metal wheels typically require a crane for placement, as they are heavy and cumbersome.
Ease of Installation
Polymer wheels, conversely, are segmented, allowing easier transport by service elevator and reducing the need for heavy machinery.
This segmentation means the wheels can be installed piece by piece, eliminating the expensive crane necessity and minimizing operational disruptions during installation.
Cost and Labor Benefits
Opting for polymer over metal can dramatically cut down on labor requirements
Opting for polymer over metal can dramatically cut down on labor requirements. Installing large metal wheels often demands additional labor, possibly including union workers, which can drive up costs significantly.
The simpler and quicker process of installing polymer wheels also means businesses avoid diverting their own workforce from other tasks, further illustrating the economic advantages.
Efficiency and Downtime Reduction
Additionally, polymer wheels, even at their largest, are manageable by just a few workers. They come apart like a pizza, facilitating easy movement and assembly, leading to less labor and minimized downtime of HVAC systems. This is especially crucial in maintaining optimal ventilation, a priority during health-sensitive times.
For those interested in learning more about the benefits of segmented polymer energy recovery wheels, reaching out to a specialist can provide further insights and detailed information.
Sometimes – it’s not the cost of the item they bought that surprises them. It’s all the extra costs they didn’t see coming.
Maybe it’s the used car they didn’t realize was close to needing a new transmission. Or that house that, surprise, had bats in the attic. The same holds true for energy recovery wheels. While they’ll research and spec the right option for the system, they may not be thinking about install costs. The thing is, they should.
Polymer energy recovery wheel
The reason to think about it: energy recovery wheels can get big. They’re talking wheels up to 60,000 CFM in many commercial applications. They can become cumbersome to handle, really fast.
And in a replacement situation, or even new construction, that size can affect installation time. However, using a polymer energy recovery wheel that’s truly segmented can significantly reduce that time – and the costs associated with it.
No need for a crane
When they’re installing a metal energy recovery wheel in a large facility or a tight urban area, they’re almost always going to need a crane. Metal wheels are heavier and bulkier than their polymer counterparts.
Also, they’re not segmented like a polymer wheel; they can’t carry it up one piece at a time using a service elevator. Why’s this matter? Well, if they’ve ever needed a crane, they know the costs and time associated with it. It’s far from cheap. Not to mention, it’s disruptive to operations.
Less labor. Less money
Along with a crane operator, they’ll likely need additional labor to help with the installation of a large metal wheel. This can quickly get costly – especially if they use unionized laborers, which often is required.
Because moving and installing a metal wheel is a slow process, they may be on the book for a couple days of additional labor costs. Additionally, they’ll take their own people away from other jobs.
Less downtime for the HVAC system
Polymer wheels – even the largest ones – can be handled by a couple workers with relative ease. Because you can move the wheel in pieces – think about it like a large pizza – it’s manageable and efficient.
All this, from not needing a crane to using less labor, means savings for them. It also means less downtime for the HVAC system, which is critical in the world, given the importance of ventilation during a pandemic. If they want to learn more about segmented polymer energy recovery wheels, send them a note or give them a call anytime.
