Heat recovery sounds like a good idea in principle — but how much does it actually save in real-world commercial installations? Based on metered data from Pine Group projects, the numbers are compelling.
Typical Savings
In a well-designed commercial HRV installation with 75% thermal efficiency, a building with 5,000 m³/hr of ventilation airflow in Sydney’s climate can expect heating energy savings of 180–220 GJ per year. At commercial gas rates, that’s $3,000–$4,000 annually.
Payback Periods
For most commercial installations, the additional capital cost of HRV over conventional mechanical ventilation is recovered within 4–7 years through energy savings alone. In facilities with high ventilation rates (kitchens, pools, laboratories), payback can be as short as 2–3 years.
Beyond Energy
Energy savings don’t tell the whole story. HRV systems also reduce the peak heating and cooling load, which can reduce the size (and capital cost) of HVAC plant. They also improve indoor air quality by enabling higher fresh air rates without the energy penalty of conditioning that air from scratch.