CASE STUDY: Heat Recovery Wheel (HRW) Optimization
Category: Energy Efficiency & HVAC Retrofitting
Client Type: Industrial
Location: UAE
The Challenge
Large-scale facilities often lose a massive amount of energy through ventilation. To maintain Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), “stale” air is exhausted, and fresh outdoor air is brought in. In extreme climates, cooling or heating this fresh air from scratch accounts for up to 40% of total HVAC energy costs. Our client needed a solution to maintain air quality without the massive energy penalty.
The GESS Solution
We engineered and installed a high-efficiency Rotary Heat Recovery Wheel system. This technology acts as a thermal bridge between the incoming and outgoing air streams, “capturing” the energy from the exhaust air and using it to pre-condition the incoming fresh air.
- Total Heat Recovery: We utilized desiccant-coated wheels to recover both Sensible (temperature) and Latent (moisture) energy.
- Seamless Integration: The system was retrofitted into existing Air Handling Units (AHUs) with minimal downtime.
- Smart Automation: Integrated with the BMS to optimize wheel rotation speed based on real-time ambient conditions.
Project Impact & Results
| Metric | Achievement |
| Thermal Effectiveness | Up to 80% recovery efficiency |
| Energy Reduction | 30% reduction in HVAC power demand |
| ROI / Payback | Full investment recovery within [18-24] months |
| Sustainability | Significant reduction in annual carbon footprint |
The “Green” Advantage
By reducing the peak cooling load, GESS allowed the client to downsize future chiller requirements and significantly extend the operational life of their existing mechanical plant. This project stands as a testament to our mission: maximizing comfort while minimizing environmental impact.
Expertise Highlight
“Heat recovery isn’t just about saving money; it’s about closing the loop on energy waste. This project demonstrates how specialized HVAC engineering can turn an overhead cost into a competitive advantage.”
— The GESS Engineering Team