What is heat wheels?

Heat wheels, also known as rotary heat exchangers or thermal wheels, are energy-efficient devices that transfer heat between two air streams. They are commonly used in HVAC systems to recover and recirculate energy from exhaust air to the incoming supply air.

The heat wheels consist of a rotating wheel with a series of channels or fins that alternately expose one air stream to the other. As the wheel rotates, the channels or fins carry heat from one airstream to the other, effectively transferring energy from the warm outgoing air to the cool incoming air.

Heat wheels are typically made of aluminum or other heat-conductive materials and can provide thermal transfer efficiencies of up to 85%. They can be used in a variety of applications, including commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, industrial plants, and data centers.

One of the key benefits of heat wheels is their ability to recover energy from exhaust air, which can significantly reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. They also help to improve indoor air quality by reducing the need for outside air intake, which can introduce pollutants and allergens into the building.

However, heat wheels can also introduce potential problems such as dehumidification issues and contamination of the fresh air stream if they are not properly maintained. As such, it is important to properly design, install, and maintain heat wheels to ensure optimal performance and energy savings.