Ask Rick: Energy Recovery Wheels | Wheel off for Economizer?

Q.  Is it ok to turn an energy recovery wheel off for economizer purposes?

A.  No,  we do not recommend that.  If an energy recovery wheel is stopped it’s flutes can clog if filters are not maintained properly. The wheel is self cleaning as it rotates through opposite air streams.  It needs to run at all times.

We recommend and provide Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) on the wheel for both frost control and economizer.  For economizer slow the wheel down till it’s barely moving.  Energy transfer is lost and the wheel will stay clean.

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