Journal
Laboratories typically require 100% outside air at high ventilation rates - between 6 and 12 air changes per hour - primarily for safety reasons. The heating and cooling energy needed to condition this air, as well as the fan energy needed to move it, often is five times greater than the amount of energy used in most offices for these same purposes. Energy recovery can substantially reduce the mechanical heating and cooling requirements associated with conditioning ventilation air in most laboratories. As a result of the lower peak heating and cooling requirements with energy recovery, heating and cooling systems can be downsized.