Evaluation Study of the Performance of Dual Core Energy Recovery System for Dwellings in the Arctic

Abstract

In extreme cold climates, conventional single core heat/energy recovery ventilators experience major problems with ice formation on the extracted airside and frequently under-perform or fail. A dual core design could overcome the performance of single core design units and meet the rigorous requirement for operation in the North. The evaluation of the performance of a dual core unit was undertaken using dual environmental chambers capable of reproducing the typical outdoor and indoor conditions with regard to temperature and relative humidity. Experiments were conducted under a range of outdoor cold temperatures, and indoor conditions identified for housing in the Arctic. The dual core ERV was found to be capable of withstanding a temperature of down to −37 °C without deteriorating its thermal performance, and therefore was more frost-tolerant than conventional single core units. In conclusion, the dual core design system could be a feasible option for extreme cold climates.