What is an enthalpy exchanger?
An enthalpy exchanger ensures that, in addition to heat, moisture is also recovered. Good ventilation without an enthalpy exchanger extracts moisture from the air in a building. Long-term exposure to low humidity can cause physical problems. With the enthalpy exchanger, this is no longer an issue. The enthalpy exchanger keeps the air humidity at the right level, which makes the air in your home much more pleasant.
A MVHR system with enthalpy exchanger provides 25% more energy savings than a MVHR system without an enthalpy exchanger. An enthalpy exchanger also ensures that no condensation drainage is needed for the MVHR system.
What is a MVHR?
Newly built homes are often equipped with a MVHR-system, also known as balanced ventilation and ventilation system D. This is a method of ventilation in which as little heat as possible is lost. A MVHR system ensures that the clean, cold air entering the room is warmed up by the warm air leaving it. The heat exchanger transfers the warm temperature. The incoming and outgoing air do not come into contact with each other. In the summer, the process works the other way round; the warm, incoming air is cooled by the cold, outflowing air.
What is the difference between a humidifier and an enthalpy exchanger?
First of all, an enthalpy exchangerdoes not produce any moisture. It stores the humidity that comes out of the building, e.g. from a bathroom. When dry, clean air enters the building in the winter, the humidity is added to the air. The enthalpy exchanger therefore maintains the humidity in the air, whereas a humidifier humidifier actually adds humidity. A humidifier, however, does not maintain humidity. It does not 'recycle' the humidity like the enthalpy exchanger does.
In addition, an enthalpy exchanger cannot be connected to every MVHR system. Where the enthalpy exchanger is inside the MVHR unit, the humidifier is installed outside. Each MVHR has a different size or manufacturer. Here, the specific enthalpy exchanger that belongs to the particular system should be added. A humidifier will often fit on any MVHR system. This often depends only on the diameter of the pipes of the MVHR.
You also have to consider a difference in water and energy costs. The enthalpy exchanger does not provide extra costs, but rather a saving of these. A humidifier does incur extra costs. The water consumption of a humidifier is often a maximum of 5L/h. When a humidifier is used for 4 months of the year, the annual water consumption is 14m3. The water costs are then up to €23.24 per year.
Physical effects from exposure to too low humidity
- Dried out or irritated mucous membranes in the nasal and pharyngeal cavities
- Dry, burning, stinging eyes (irritating contact lenses)
- Coldness in the face of normal heat
- Dry cough and/or stinging throat
- Headache and/or fatigue
- Increased risk of infections
- Dry, flaky skin
- Irritated airways
- Concentration problems
- Decreased resistance
- Cracked lips
After reading this article, do you still have questions about or need help? Then feel free to contact our knowledgeable customer service team, they will be happy to help you.
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