Heat recovery ventilation offers cleaner air with major energy and cost savings
In 2023-2024, Daikin undertook a year-long comprehensive study to quantify the benefits of heat recovery ventilation solutions. Designed to help inform customer choices on heat recovery technology equipment, the study compared two retail stores in Belgium in a real-life situation from the point of view of energy consumption and in-store air quality. Further analysis and simulation was undertaken to demonstrate savings in more extreme climate conditions.
About the study
The study compared two retail stores in Belgium, operating between 9am and 6pm, six days a week. Running costs and air quality, including CO2 and PM values, were measured over the 12-month period.
The exercise considered two distinct test scenarios:
Scenario 1: Benchmarking (Store A), exhaust fan only Measuring ventilation with a standard exhaust fan in place.
Scenario 2: Heat recovery ventilation (Store B) Heat recovery ventilation fitted, delivering fresh air and additional energy savings. To ensure an effective comparison, the sites were chosen for their similarity in building type, location and ambient temperature conditions, which ranged from 0˚C in winter to +30˚C in summer. Both stores were equipped with the same type of air conditioning system.
Products and services in scope:
Daikin A/C Units
Compact L (heat recovery ventilation unit)
- AirSense Pro+ (Indoor Air Quality sensor)
Study results
Energy Savings
The trials in these two stores in Belgium unequivocally demonstrated the energy savings realised by adding a heat recovery ventilation unit to existing systems. The benefits were two-fold:
A 15% energy saving when heat recovery units are installed compared to Scenario 1 with the exhaust unit alone.
The installed cooling/heating capacity in the store equipped with heat recovery ventilation is by 7 kW lower compared to the store with the exhaust fan.
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) vs Operational Expenditure (OPEX)
Despite the fact that the CAPEX (cost of A/C and ventilation equipment) of the store in Scenario 2 is higher versus Scenario 1, its lower OPEX allows not only to have a return on investment (ROI) in less than 9 years but to offer additional savings of 9.1 k€ through the totality of the life-cycle of the installation.
Heat recovery in extreme climates
Our results from the study in Belgium prompted us to study the benefit of such a heat recovery ventilation unit in countries with extreme temperature conditions, namely Italy and Poland. Daikin’s VRV Pro Simulator was used to gauge the comparative effectiveness of the heat ventilation unit, using data from the original study. The extended study demonstrated even greater savings achievable in countries with extreme temperature conditions (Italy 0˚C to +35˚C, Poland -20˚C to +28˚C).
Conclusions
The following tables present the figures on energy savings and other parameters.
| Country[1] | Energy Savings[2] | ∆ CAPEX[3] | ∆ OPEX[4] | Total savings through the lifecycle of the installation[5] | Sustainability[6] | ||
| Energy Consumption reduction | Installed capacity savings | kgCO2e savings (in absolute) | kgCO2e savings (in %) | ||||
| Belgium | 15% | 7KW | +5,827€ | -679€ per year | 9.1k€ | 12,496 | 12% |
| Poland | 29% | 7KW | -362€ | -1,355€ per year | 30.1k€ | 1,00,349 | 33% |
| Italy | 22% | 32.5KW | -3,017€ | -638€ per year | 17.0k€ | 48,342 | 13% |
At Daikin, we provide a total solutions, from A/C systems to ventilation and to sensors for getting the readings and the measurements. This case study demonstrates how adding a heat recovery unit to existing A/C systems will deliver energy savings and reduce capital and operating costs over the lifetime of HVAC equipment. Additionally, improving the sustainability of buildings in terms of CO2 emissions and offering good indoor air quality will improve their commercial appeal.
A total building solution by Daikin
The exercise highlighted the role played by heat recovery ventilation systems in creating a healthier indoor environment. Levels of CO2 at the site fitted with a Compact L Heat recovery ventilation unit fell well below advisory levels benchmarked by the World Health Organisation and other recognised bodies. Particulate markers for PM10 and PM2.5 were also significantly lower than recommended standards, even at peak operational times.
At Daikin, we provide a total solutions, from A/C systems to ventilation and to sensors for getting the readings and the measurements. This case study demonstrates how adding a heat recovery unit to existing A/C systems will deliver energy savings and reduce capital and operating costs over the lifetime of HVAC equipment. Additionally, improving the sustainability of buildings in terms of CO2 emissions and offering good indoor air quality will improve their commercial appeal.
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Notes on calculation
[1] Daikin Europe (DENV) performed real measurements in 2 stores located in Belgium. The measurements for Poland and Italy are based on the simulations done via the VRVPro Simulator together with some corrections and conclusions derived from the real measurements done in Belgium as a result of ambient conditions during the study period.
[2] Energy savings calculations are done on two parameters: - Delta calculated on the energy consumed by all the HVAC equipment (The delta is calculated between stores with heat recovery ventilation unit (ALB07RCS) and one with only exhaust fan. This condition stands true for real measurements in Belgium and simulation done for Italy and Poland). - Delta on the installed capacity of the A/C systems between the two stores.
[3] CAPEX of every store is calculated with a full material list including A/Cs, ventilation unit, and other accessories/options with their subsequent material and installation cost. The delta is calculated between stores with heat recovery ventilation unit (ALB07RCS) and one with only exhaust fan. This condition stands true for real measurements in Belgium and simulation done for Italy and Poland.
[4] OPEX is calculated based on the energy consumption measured per year multiplied by the euros/kWh of every country. Energy prices considered for countries are: BE(0.22 euros/kWh), PL (0.22 euros/kWh), IT (0.24 euros/kWh). The delta is calculated between stores with heat recovery ventilation unit (ALB07RCS) and one with only exhaust fan & the rest of HVAC equipments. This condition stands true for real measurements in Belgium and simulation done for Italy and Poland.
[5] Expected total savings is calculated as ∆ CAPEX + (∆ OPEX calculated over a lifespan of 22 years) (lifetime of Sky Air Unit source: eco Invent energy grid intensity)
[6] The reduction in whole life carbon emissions for all three countries has been calculated by taking into account the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) of a similar Daikin A/C unit installed at the case study site in Belgium. The B6 calculations, which refer to the reduction in energy consumption, are based on the energy mix of the countries: Belgium (0.26 kg CO2e/kWh), Poland (1.05 kg CO2e/kWh), and Italy (0.39 kg CO2e/kWh), as provided by the Ecoinvent 3.8 database.
About Daikin Europe N.V.
Daikin Europe N.V. is a subsidiary of the global group Daikin Industries, and the leading provider of heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification and refrigeration (HVAC&R) technology in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Daikin designs, manufactures, and brings to market a broad portfolio of products, maintenance services as well as turnkey solutions for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. To date, Daikin Europe has over 13,700 employees across more than 57 consolidated subsidiaries. It has 14 manufacturing facilities based in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The headquarters of the Daikin Europe group are in Ostend, Belgium. The company was established in 1972, production in Europe started in 1973.
About Daikin Industries Ltd.
Daikin Industries was founded in 1924, in Osaka, Japan. The global group employs over 96,000 people worldwide and is the market leader for heat pump and air conditioning systems and air filtration. It is the world’s only manufacturer that develops and manufactures heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, as well as refrigerants in-house. The company achieved € 28.2 billion sales turnover in fiscal year 2022 (1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023).
Media Contacts Daikin Europe N.V.
Sofie Sap – T.: +32 472 580482 Mail: sap.s@daikineurope.com
Daisuke Kakinaga – T.: +32 465 462321 Mail: kakinaga.d@bxl.daikineurope.com
