Producing and adding a heat exchanger to buildings
Most
heat
exchangers should increase the heating
performance by five to 10 percent, according to
the U.S. Department of Energy. Although the
exchangers must be added to the unit during its
initial installment.
The heat exchanger system uses a fan to heat the
air by pushing it through hot tubes. The tubes
allow the air to continue circulation instead of
relying on natural convection. Heat exchangers
also require frequent cleaning. Soot
accumulating in the tubes affects the system's
performance.
The ventilation rate of a traditionally leaky,
drafty home is determined by the weather; the
outdoor temperature dives stack effect in the
home, and the wind just plain blows right
through! The colder and windier it gets, the
better ventilated your house is. When you build
a tight home with a high-quality ventilation
system, you control the ventilation rate.
Complaints you may have heard about stuffiness
and moisture problems in tight houses come from
houses where the builder did not install a
ventilation system commensurate with the quality
of the house, or the system is not being
controlled properly. HRVs can be retrofit in
most existing homes, but a blower door test
(check with your electric utility or heating
contractor) should be performed first. HRVs are
generally only used in homes which require
mechanical ventilation, usually homes with a
natural ventilation rate of less than .35 ACH.
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