Enthalpic energy recovery seems to deliver a number of benefits. Do any other manufacturers offer this kind of technology?
A few competitors use different approaches to provide the heat- and moisture-recovery functions of the RenewAire core. We feel they do not succeed in matching the overall performance superiority of RenewAire. Besides the plate exchange units that imitate but do not match RenewAire performance, there are other types of enthalpic approaches using the “desiccant-coated heat wheel”. This approach can provide relatively high energy-recovery performance. But it has major liabilities that degrade its overall value: high maintenance, difficulty of installation, and wheel seal cross-leakage. The drive belts are scheduled for replacement every two years. Hanging these units and connecting ducts are difficult and time-consuming. The technology requires use of an electric pre-heater to prevent frost damage in northern climates. Finally, these units have 10%+ cross-leakage of exhaust air back into the fresh air past the seals around the moving wheel, and there may be additional carry-over of water-
