Heat recovery ventilation offers cleaner air with major energy and cost savings
In 2023-2024, Daikin undertook a year-long comprehensive study to quantify the benefits of heat recovery ventilation solutions. Designed to help inform customer choices on heat recovery technology equipment, the study compared two retail stores in Belgium in a real-life situation from the point of view of energy consumption and in-store air quality. Further analysis and simulation was undertaken to demonstrate savings in more extreme climate conditions.
About the study
The study compared two retail stores in Belgium, operating between 9am and 6pm, six days a week. Running costs and air quality, including CO2 and PM values, were measured over the 12-month period.
The exercise considered two distinct test scenarios:
Scenario 1: Benchmarking (Store A), exhaust fan only Measuring ventilation with a standard exhaust fan in place.
Scenario 2: Heat recovery ventilation (Store B) Heat recovery ventilation fitted, delivering fresh air and additional energy savings. To ensure an effective comparison, the sites were chosen for their similarity in building type, location and ambient temperature conditions, which ranged from 0˚C in winter to +30˚C in summer. Both stores were equipped with the same type of air conditioning system.
Products and services in scope:
- Daikin A/C Units
- Compact L (heat recovery ventilation unit)
- AirSense Pro+ (Indoor Air Quality sensor)
About the study
15% energy consumption reduction
7kW installed capacity savings
9.1k€ total savings through the lifecycle of the installation
12% kg CO2e savings
Energy Savings
The trials in these two stores in Belgium unequivocally demonstrated the energy savings realised by adding a heat recovery ventilation unit to existing systems. The benefits were two-fold:
- A 15% energy saving when heat recovery units are installed compared to Scenario 1 with the exhaust unit alone.
- The installed cooling/heating capacity in the store equipped with heat recovery ventilation is by 7 kW lower compared to the store with the exhaust fan.
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) vs Operational Expenditure (OPEX)
Despite the fact that the CAPEX (cost of A/C and ventilation equipment) of the store in Scenario 2 is higher versus Scenario 1, its lower OPEX allows not only to have a return on investment (ROI) in less than 9 years but to offer additional savings of 9.1 k€ through the totality of the life-cycle of the installation.
Heat recovery in extreme climates
Our results from the study in Belgium prompted us to study the benefit of such a heat recovery ventilation unit in countries with extreme temperature conditions, namely Italy and Poland. Daikin’s VRV Pro Simulator was used to gauge the comparative effectiveness of the heat ventilation unit, using data from the original study. The extended study demonstrated even greater savings achievable in countries with extreme temperature conditions (Italy 0˚C to +35˚C, Poland -20˚C to +28˚C).
Conclusions
The following tables present the figures on energy savings and other parameters.
At Daikin, we provide a total solutions, from A/C systems to ventilation and to sensors for getting the readings and the measurements. This case study demonstrates how adding a heat recovery unit to existing A/C systems will deliver energy savings and reduce capital and operating costs over the lifetime of HVAC equipment. Additionally, improving the sustainability of buildings in terms of CO2 emissions and offering good indoor air quality will improve their commercial appeal.
A total building solution by Daikin
The exercise highlighted the role played by heat recovery ventilation systems in creating a healthier indoor environment. Levels of CO2 at the site fitted with a Compact L Heat recovery ventilation unit fell well below advisory levels benchmarked by the World Health Organisation and other recognised bodies. Particulate markers for PM10 and PM2.5 were also significantly lower than recommended standards, even at peak operational times.
