Why a Glossary
Heat-recovery specifications mix thermodynamics, HVAC, and standards language. This glossary collects the terms you will meet most often on HeatRecoveryHub so that every article speaks the same language.
Core Terms
- Effectiveness (efficiency) - the ratio of actual heat transferred to the maximum possible, expressed as a percentage.
- Sensible recovery - transfer of dry-bulb heat only, with no moisture exchange.
- Latent / enthalpy recovery - transfer of both heat and moisture, used in humid climates.
- Counterflow - the two air streams travel in opposite directions for maximum effectiveness.
- Cross-flow - streams cross at right angles; simpler to build, slightly lower effectiveness.
- Frost risk - when exhaust air drops below freezing, condensate can ice up the core.
Equipment Terms
- Rotary wheel - a slowly spinning matrix that carries energy from exhaust to supply air.
- Plate core - stationary stacked plates; air passes in adjacent channels without mixing.
- Heat pipe - sealed tubes with a working fluid that moves heat by evaporation and condensation.
How to Use This
When an article mentions a term you do not recognise, check here first. Consistent definitions keep comparisons and sizing advice unambiguous.
What to Look For
When gathering Heat Exchanger Glossary of Terms material, prioritise measured performance data over marketing claims. Look for independent test results, clear effectiveness and pressure-drop figures at your operating airflow, and drawings that show how the core is built. Case studies from a similar duty are more useful than generic brochures because they reveal real installation and maintenance lessons.
Standards and References
Recognised ventilation and energy standards give consistent definitions of effectiveness, air leakage, and conditioning, which make products comparable. Manufacturer submittals, AHRI and Eurovent style ratings, and energy-agency guides are good starting points. Keep a folder of the data you actually used so the specification can be audited later.
Using These Resources
Turn the data into a short comparison table for the options you are weighing, with airflow, effectiveness, pressure drop, and cost in the same units. Share it with the installer before order, because field conditions often differ from the leaflet. Good references also help during commissioning, when you check the installed unit against the stated performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which rating matters most? Effectiveness at your real airflow, not the peak catalogue value. Are vendor numbers reliable? Weigh them against independent or third-party test data where possible.
Practical Selection Checklist
For the Heat Exchanger Glossary of Terms duty, confirm the measured airflow and the temperature difference between the two airstreams before specifying any unit. Choose the core type that matches the exhaust cleanliness and the recovery target, allow margin for fouling, and verify the pressure drop stays inside the fan curve. Place filtration ahead of the core and provide a condensate drain where the supply side may fall below the dew point.
When to Specify This Solution
Energy recovery suits any plant or building that expels warm exhaust continuously while drawing in fresh air that must be conditioned from ambient. Common candidates include make-up air units, drying rooms, commercial kitchens, paint booths, and general process ventilation. Where the annual cost of heating or cooling make-up air is material, a correctly sized exchanger usually pays back within one to three operating seasons.
Next Steps
Start by logging the supply and exhaust conditions for a full duty cycle, then size the core from those numbers rather than from nameplate estimates. Compare the projected energy saving with the equipment and installation cost to get a payback figure, and review the comparison and product guides for the specific configuration that fits your site.