ᐅ Controlled residential ventilation: enthalpy exchanger or standard heat exchanger

Hello,

we are planning to install a Zehnder Q350 for our new build and now we have to decide whether to go with enthalpy recovery or a standard heat exchanger. The question is whether enthalpy recovery can effectively and quickly remove the construction moisture.

The enthalpy option has an additional cost of about €650, and retrofitting it would cost €800. What would you recommend, and does anyone have experience with this?

Thank you!

Isn't the enthalpy exchanger designed for moisture recovery? So wouldn't it be counterproductive?

I would consider having both to be able to switch between them in summer and winter.

Yes, but eventually the residual construction moisture will disappear, and then you often hear about 20-30% humidity, which is not exactly healthy. As far as I know, replacing it in summer is not necessary since the Q350 has a bypass.

Replacement reason: in summer the humidity is high, so it should be let out a bit. In winter, however, you want to retain it.

This actually has nothing to do with the bypass. At least, that’s how I understand it.

Replacing it in summer is pointless... we don’t have tropical conditions here with 70% relative humidity, etc. I would have an enthalpy exchanger installed... the investment will pay off.

The excess moisture is still drained through the condensate outlet, so with the enthalpy exchanger you kill two birds with one stone.

@Mycraft: Do you mean by the excess moisture that the enthalpy exchanger maintains a certain level of humidity in the air, for example 45%, and removes the rest?