14
OPERATION
t
Außen
> -3°C
t
Außen
< -3°C
The energy used for the preheating is not wasted, as it ensures
a constant high temperature efficiency
Frost protection
All ventilation units with a counterflow heat exchanger will ice
up if the outdoor temperature is below freezing for a
prolonged period.
The extracted air condenses when it is cooled down during heat
recovery. The high temperature efficiency will slowly turn the
condensate to ice, which will block up the counterflow heat
exchanger unless action is taken to remedy this.
Consideration must be given to whether the unit’s operation
can be protected during a lengthy period of frost or whether it
is acceptable to decrease its operation.
In homes which are occupied at night, it would be advisable
to protect the unit against frost when the outdoor tempera-
ture is coldest by using a pre-heating element. On the other
hand, if the ventilation is for an office, it may be acceptable to
decrease the operating level at night.
ɳ
t[%]
Temper
ature efficiency
Operation Ice building
Ice building
Defrost
Defrost
With pre-heater
Defrost function
Outdoor temperature
< -3
°
C
Normal operation
Pre-heater
installed
Normal operation secured
until outdoor temp. < -12
°
C
When outdoor temp. < -12
°
C
reduced air volume
Defrost function
starts when:
Outdoor temp < 1
°
C (T8)
Discharge air < 3
°
C in 5 min.
Defrosting stops when:
Discharge air > 7
°
C (T4)
No
After 30 min.
No
Yes
Yes
1. Bypass damper opens
2. The intake motor switches off
3. Warm extracted air will flow
through the heat exchanger
4. The ice is melting
Frost protection
Air volume
126 m
3
/h
216 m
3
/h
Frost protection when outside temperature is
-2
°
C
-2
°
C
Hours during the year
676
676
Energy used to frost protection via pre-heating
107 kWh/a
183 kWh/a
Loss of energy when icing
105 kWh/a
180 kWh/a
Loss of energy when deicing
200 kWh/a
343 kWh/a
Energy savings by using frost protection
198 kWh/a
340 kWh/a
Average calculation by Danish dry weather data.
The example below shows the energy used to frost protect versus defrosting.