Why Commissioning Matters
Heat recovery only pays if the unit actually moves the designed airflow through the core and recovers the expected energy. Commissioning turns a connected box into a measured, documented saving rather than an assumption.
Airflow Balance
First balance supply and exhaust to the design values. Unequal flows reduce recovery and can pressurize or depressurize the building, causing drafts and infiltration. Use the commissioning dampers, not the core bypass, to set the balance.
| Test | Acceptable |
|---|---|
| Supply vs exhaust | Within 10 percent of design |
| Effectiveness | Near datasheet at rating |
| Pressure drop | Within fan curve |
Performance Testing
Measure supply and exhaust temperatures on both sides of the core at the balanced airflow, then compute effectiveness against the datasheet. Also confirm pressure drop sits on the fan curve so fan power matches the energy model.
Controls Verification
Confirm the bypass, freeze protection, and any modulation behave as specified across the operating range. A bypass stuck closed over-recovers in mild weather; one stuck open loses the saving entirely.
Documentation
Record the as-commissioned airflows, temperatures, and effectiveness with a signed report. This baseline is what future maintenance is judged against and what supports any energy or green-building claim tied to the recovery system.
Sizing and Selection Checklist
| Verify | Pass criterion |
|---|---|
| Airflow balance | Within 10 percent of design |
| Effectiveness | Near datasheet |
| Pressure drop | On fan curve |
| Controls | Bypass and freeze behave |
Common Pitfalls
Teams sometimes commission by feel rather than measuring airflow, so imbalance goes unnoticed. Others skip the effectiveness check and never know the core underperforms. Failing to document the baseline leaves future maintenance without a reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should commission the unit?
An technician with airflow instruments; the as-commissioned report is the reference for all later service.
What if effectiveness is low?
Recheck airflow balance and core seating first; a small imbalance or mis-seated core explains most shortfalls.
Summary
Commissioning with measured airflow, temperature, and control checks converts a connected unit into a verified energy saving.
Next Steps for Commissioning
Treat commissioning as a measured handover, not a visual check, so the saving is proven and documented.
- Measure and balance supply and exhaust airflow to design values.
- Compute effectiveness from temperatures and compare to the datasheet.
- Record the as-commissioned baseline for future maintenance.
That baseline is the reference against which all later performance and any warranty claim are judged.
Cost, Payback and Upkeep
Commissioning itself is a small cost against the value of proving the saving, and skipping it risks an underperforming unit whose lost energy dwarfs the commissioning fee. The maintained baseline also extends equipment life by catching drift early.
- Capital: instrumentation time and a commissioning report.
- Payback: protects the two-to-three-year recovery payback by confirming performance.
- Upkeep: re-verify airflow and effectiveness annually or after any rework.
Treating commissioning as a measured handover keeps the unit honest and the saving real.
Key Takeaways
Commissioning is a measured handover, not a visual check: measure and balance airflow, compute effectiveness from temperatures against the datasheet, and record the as-commissioned baseline. That baseline is the reference for all later maintenance and any warranty claim.
- Measure and balance airflow to design values.
- Verify effectiveness against the datasheet.
- Keep the commissioning report as the baseline.