Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th...
by lsaferite on Tuesday January 17, 2023 @01:47PM
(#34416809)
IME you don't use an ERV alone. You'd use it _with_ a Heat Pump. The ERV is all about transferring heat from one airstream to another. It's _not_ a device that manages indoor temperatures though, just recovers some of the latent energy in the air. In the process it's also managing humidity mainly as a by-product. The humidification properties of the ERV allow you to run the Heat Pump in a more efficient manner. I have an HVAC geek friend who explained the whole process, but essentially (in non physics/fluid dynamics[?] terminology), if the Heat Pump doesn't need to dehumidify air it can operate more efficiently.
> During the warmer seasons, an ERV system pre-cools and dehumidifies; During cooler seasons the system humidifies and pre-heats.[1] An ERV system helps HVAC design meet ventilation and energy standards (e.g., ASHRAE), improves indoor air quality and reduces total HVAC equipment capacity, thereby reducing energy consumption.
> ERV systems enable an HVAC system to maintain a 40-50% indoor relative humidity, essentially in all conditions. ERV's must use power for a blower to overcome the pressure drop in the system, hence incurring a slight energy demand.
In Jan 2023, the ERV wikipedia article has a 'Table of Energy recovery devices by Types of transfer supported': Total and Sensible :
> [ Total & Sensible transfer: Rotary enthalpy wheel, Fixed Plate ]
> [ Sensible transfer only: Heat pipe, Run around coil, Thermosiphon, Twin Towers ]
Latent heat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latent_heat :
> In contrast to latent heat, sensible heat is energy transferred as heat, with a resultant temperature change in a body.
Sensible heat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensible_heat
There's a broader Category:Energy_recovery page which includes heat pumps and thus mini-splits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Energy_recovery