In hot, humid conditions the dominant cooling load is often latent (moisture), not sensible (temperature). This changes the recovery calculus.
Comparison
| Enthalpy wheel | Sensible plate | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes incoming moisture | Yes | No |
| Cuts dehumidification load | Yes | No |
| Summer comfort | Better | Worse |
| First cost | Higher | Lower |
Humid summer
An enthalpy wheel transfers moisture to the exhaust before it enters, slashing the AHU dehumidification duty. A sensible plate leaves all that moisture for the cooling coil to remove.
Cold winter (humid)
In humid-cold climates an ERV also retains indoor humidity in winter, reducing static shock and dryness.