Estimate how fast an air-to-air heat recovery ventilator pays for itself. Enter the duty and the installed cost — we return simple payback, ROI and a 10-year NPV.
Include the core, casing, filters, duct rework, controls and labour. A heat exchanger that is cheap to buy but expensive to install will show a longer payback — and vice versa.
Why subtract maintenance?
Filters, cleaning and fan energy are ongoing. Net annual saving = gross recovered energy value minus these costs. For most air-to-air units maintenance is small (3–8% of savings), so payback barely moves.
Is a 2-year payback good?
For industrial heat recovery, 1–3 years is strong and easily justifies the project. Below 1 year is exceptional; above 5 years usually needs a non-energy driver (code compliance, comfort, process need).
Does this include fan power?
No. The estimate is gross recovered energy. Subtract added fan energy from extra pressure drop (typically 5–15% of recovered energy) for a true net figure.
Preliminary estimate only, not engineering advice. Zibo Qiyu designs plate, rotary and cross-flow air-to-air heat exchangers for industrial recovery — request a quote.