Recuperator (from Latin recuperator – receiving back, returning) – in domestic ventilation, any of the devices transmitting the temperature of the air leaving the room to the incoming one.

Supply and exhaust ventilation with heat recovery performs two tasks: the inflow of fresh air into the room and removing polluted air from it.

Recuperators for ventilation are classified by the following types:

By type of heat exchange device – reversible, crossflow (counterflow), direct flow, rotary (not used in domestic ventilation).
By design of heat exchanger – tubular, plate.
According to the material of which the heat exchanger is made – metallic (aluminum, copper or stainless steel), paper, plastic, ceramic.
According to the possibility of moisture return – non-membrane and membrane (enthalpy).
Working principle of recuperators in domestic supply and exhaust ventilation

While exchanging the air, the recuperator traps the internal temperature inside the room, no matter if it is positive or negative.

For example, if the room temperature is +25°C, and the temperature outside is -25°C, the recuperator has an efficiency of 80% and the air comes into the room with a temperature of +15°C. And if the temperature in the room is -25 °C, and outdoors +25 °C, then at 80% efficiency the air will come into the room with a temperature of -15 °C.

Thus during the cold season the air is heated without additional costs!

In summer, when using an air conditioner, the supply air is cooled in the same way, which reduces the load on the air conditioner and saves its resource.

Reversible recuperator

The operation of a reversible unit in the cold resembles breathing through a scarf in the cold. When you exhale, the air heats the scarf, and when you inhale, passing through the scarf fabric, the air is heated and enters your lungs no longer as cold.

The role of the scarf in reversible recuperators is performed by the heat exchanger – regenerator.

Principle of operation of a reversible recuperator
In the picture you can see how in phase 1 the regenerator is heated by the exhaust air, and in phase 3 it is heated by the incoming air with the cooling of the regenerator. 

Reversible recuperators require only one opening to the outside.

ARTEL-Stroy construction company offers ventoxx reversible recuperators. 

Cross-flow recuperator

Cross-type recuperators work differently. This type of devices always has two holes to the outside and two to the room because the air flow, unlike reversible devices, does not change direction and is always directed to one side.

Principle of operation of a cross-flow recuperator
The main advantage of installing a supply and exhaust ventilation system with heat exchanger is that it returns up to 90% of the heat back into the room, which means that the cost of heating the room with the recuperator installed will be reduced compared to ventilation through an open window.

Thanks to the air recuperation system, a comfortable microclimate is constantly maintained in the room, especially important for the ventilation of a country house.

The structure of domestic recuperators

Inside each device there is a fan (from 1 to 4), a heat exchanger of a certain type and an air cleaning filter.

The structure of a reversible recuperator

The cross-type recuperators are presented by our brands CLIMTEC and PRANA

The structure of the cross-type recuperator

We will tell you in detail why you need to buy a recuperator for your home.

Why do we need recuperation?

Air- and vapor-tight structures and materials are increasingly being purchased in private homes in recent years:

multi-chamber glazing on windows and balconies;
adhesive-based exterior insulation;
metal entrance doors, complete with sealing gum for air tightness;
synthetic finishes.
If the general house exhaust and natural ventilation is not enough to remove contaminated air, then to solve this problem it is necessary to install a supply and exhaust ventilation system with heat recovery, as it is the key to a comfortable microclimate, quality air exchange with minimal costs for cooling or heating of air masses.

Equipment with recuperation is especially important for ventilation of country houses.

Reasons for installing supply and exhaust ventilation for a private house:

1. savings on heating. It is estimated that when organizing ventilation of a country house on recuperators, savings on energy resources is up to 60%.

2. Mildew on the walls and windows. This phenomenon in 90% of cases is associated with insufficient ventilation facilities, in other cases, you need to watch the insulation of the house.

3. Condensation on windows. In 100% cases it is connected with bad ventilation of the premise.

Local ventilation of the premise is required. Often it is necessary to ventilate the room independently of the others, such as bedrooms or gyms. Household recuperator for a private home in this case, the ideal solution.

5. Maintaining the temperature in a closed house in winter. If in the spring there is a heavy smell in the house, and mold and condensation form on the walls, the installation of a recuperator will solve this problem without a significant increase in costs and risks of intruders into the house.

6. Back draft from the exhaust system appears in the house in the winter. A common problem in airtight houses, it is solved by installing at least two recuperators and one compensating passive supply valve.

Recuperator has some restrictions on installation and use. It is not recommended to install a recuperator if:

The common house exhaust system has a strong draft.
Strong supply air filtration is required.

A poorly functioning exhaust system requires a minimum of two units with synchronization capability.

Equipment recommendations

There are various ventilation systems with recuperators: wall, ceiling, floor, centralized, compact, electrically heated, with moisture recovery, with CO/CO2 sensors, etc.

Compact units are designed to serve a single room, while a centralized supply and exhaust unit can provide air exchange in an entire apartment or private house.

Professional consultants with an engineering education will help you choose and make a calculation of supply and exhaust ventilation and choose the best model in the price-quality-functionality ratio. Before you order equipment you can get comprehensive advice from an experienced specialist by phone, as well as order the arrival of an engineer at the facility.

Our catalog contains many inexpensive, yet reliable and productive recuperators. Most indoor units can also work in the modes “only inflow” and “only exhaust,” which widens the range of tasks performed.

Our construction company Artel-Stroy also performs ALMIGHTY drilling and installation of turnkey supply and exhaust ventilation and service of the equipment presented in our catalog.

Remember that the money invested in the purchase of a recuperator for a private home will pay off after one or two seasons. In addition it is an investment in a comfortable microclimate and in the health of all members of your family.