What is the function of a heat recovery system in HVAC?

The function of a heat recovery system in HVAC is to capture and reuse waste heat. This is important because a significant amount of energy can be lost through exhaust air in various HVAC processes. A heat recovery system collects this waste heat and repurposes it for heating other areas or processes, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.

In practice, this can involve transferring heat from exhaust air to incoming fresh air or using the recovered heat to warm up water in a hydronic heating system. By reusing heat that would otherwise be wasted, these systems help reduce energy costs and lower the environmental impact of heating processes in buildings. Using captured waste heat can also enhance the performance of the entire HVAC system, leading to improved comfort and reduced energy consumption.