HVAC Heat Exchangers: Everything You Need to Know About Them

Regardless of whether you are looking for an HVAC unit for residential or commercial properties, it is critical for you to understand more about the parts that define the functionality of the system. One such crucial part is an HVAC heat exchanger. The prime function of the heat exchanger/heat recovery unit is increasing the overall energy efficiency for the cooling or heating system. This happens with the transfer of heat that occurs between two different fluids or gases. This helps with the efficient reduction of energy bills. If there is ever an issue with heat exchange, it is critical for you to opt for reliable services for HVAC repair near me.

What is an HVAC Heat Exchanger?

HVAC heat exchangers introduce an energy transfer protocol from one particular fluid going to another. However, you need to keep in mind the fact that both of these fluids tend to be physically separated with no contact in a direct manner. Depending on the model of the HVAC system, there are various forms of HVAC heat exchangers available in the market, such as U tube, Shell & Tube, Shell & Coil, Plate, Helical, etc. The heat transfer can occur between water & steam, water & refrigerant, air & refrigerant, water & water, and so on. Just like any other part, the heat exchanger also requires regular services for HVAC repair near me.

What are the different variants of Heat Exchangers?

1-Rotary Wheel:

The HVAC heat exchangers of the rotary wheel variant come with a large-form surface cylinder that is attached to the shaft. Further, it houses materials that are gas permeable in nature. When this cylinder starts rotating, both these gases start moving in the counter-flow axial pattern towards the shaft. Now, the heat coming from warm gas starts getting absorbed by permeable materials that get transferred to colder gas.

At times, the hygroscopic material is added to the permeable material that allows the absorption of moisture present in the gas. This is how the moisture-laden gas turns dry & hence transfers its moisture to the drier gas. Both the sensible and latent heat is then transferred to the system. You can decide what works best for your system by seeking help from a reliable service provider for HVAC repair near me.

2-Fixed Plate:

These variants of heat exchangers lack any particular moving part. They come with fixed plates arranged alternately & tend to be separate. Both these fluids and gases flow separately within the alternate plates, which help with heat transfer between the two. The flow of fluids or gases can be parallel flow, counterflow, or even crossflow. Fixed plate heat exchangers tend to be popular among residential HVAC system owners. However, the system might be prone to errors if not maintained properly. In such cases, you need to seek help from services for HVAC repair near me.

3-Heat Pipe:

The Heat Pipe variant of the HVAC heat exchanger houses an evaporator & condenser, which are separated through a plate. Further, it houses tubes that run parallel & separated from one another. Towards the evaporator end, there is a transfer of hot air energy going to the refrigerant liquid. This leads to the boiling of the refrigerant. The vaporized refrigerant passes through pipes going towards the condenser end. This is where the reverse process starts. This variant of the heat exchanger mostly uses the patterns with the parallel flow. If you have trouble understanding the functionality of the system, you can always consult reliable service providers for HVAC repair near me.

4-Run-Around:

In this variant of the heat exchanger, the pump circulates the water or similar liquid through its system. It carries coils mounted in parallel or series for the facilitation of maximum heat transfer. Further, this variant of system benefits any season. If the air outside is warmer as compared to the air inside the exhaust, the air inside the exhaust pre-cools the outside air. This makes the system highly functional & energy efficient. If you are looking for highly energy-efficient systems, you can always look for professional HVAC repair near me.

5-Hot Gas:

The compressor of your HVAC system tends to generate heat via refrigerant compression in the case of the Hot Gas system. This particular heat can easily be captured & used up for heating of domestic water. This is why the heat exchanging unit is placed amid the condenser and compressor. The water in need of heating is then circulated via the heat exchanger through the use of the pump when the system is switched on.

6-Double Bundle Condenser:

This particular heat exchanger comprises of 2 different water-tube sets present within its condenser shell. When the gas is superheated, it is forced into its shell, where complete heat transfer takes place via the tubes.

7-Heat Jackets:

The heat jackets make use of water jackets that are kept towards the two sides of the reciprocating engine/gas turbine to help absorb heat generated in the process. The heat can then be used to generate steam or used for heating the fuel oil or water present inside. In certain cases, excess moisture might lead to damage to the parts which require immediate attention from a certified professional for HVAC repair near me.

8-Hot Flue Gas:

Hot Flue Gas operates on the premise that the hot gases that come from the exhaust of the boiler can easily be used for heating up of the fuel oil or water. The arrangement here consists of a combination of water jackets and pipes present within the exhaust of the boiler to initiate heat transfer. It is used mainly for preheating the feed water present in the boiler.

9-Hot Drain:

The heat coming from your hot condensate areas such as laundry, kitchen, or the bathroom can easily be used to boil the water. The condensate element is formed in a continuous manner when there is a heat release from the system. The heat exchanger which is placed within the system’s condensate return, makes use of this heat in order to warm up the water.

10-Heat Pump:

The atmosphere within the laundries and kitchens tends to be extremely hot. This particular heat can easily be used for water heating or similar purposes. The task can be conducted via the use of a separate heat pump which mechanically concentrates heat within the atmosphere & brings the same to a temperature that is suitable for use.

Conclusion

Depending on how your HVAC heat exchanger functions, the need for regular maintenance and repair can vary. It is critical that you opt for full-system maintenance on a regular basis to avoid any unfortunate breakdowns that might happen during the operational hours. When selecting a service provider for HVAC repair near me, make sure you check through the customer reviews to get access to a reliable name.

Looking for a professionally certified service provider for HVAC repair near me? At Enertia HVAC/R, we provide top-notch services for HVAC maintenance, repair, installation, as well as replacement. Our technicians come with years of experience in the industry, paired with stringent training sessions to ensure quality services. To know more about our services, give us a quick call at (214) 550-3458 or write to us at (469) 351-9657.

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