A heat exchanger makes it easy to distribute heat between different areas of your home. For example, if you have a fireplace or other heat source in the living room, you can spread some of the heat to other parts of the home.
When it comes to multi-storey villas, Airmove 2.0 is also able to spread the heat to the upper floor. This is achieved by having the unit installed in the floor on the upper level, which has proven to be particularly effective for older houses.
This will result in the excess heat not being wasted. Instead, it will be used to heat other parts of the home. During the summer months, you can use the unit to transport the cool air from an AC to create a cooler climate throughout the home.
But how does a heat exchanger work? Where should you place one and how much money can you save with one? We will give you the answers to the previous questions and much more in this guide. Therefore, you should continue reading so as not to miss out on important information!
Reduce temperature differences between floors
When it comes to multi-storey buildings, temperature differences tend to be a common problem when relying on an air-borne heat source. This means that whether you use a wood-burning stove, air source heat pump or direct-acting electricity for heating, the heat will be spread via the indoor air.
In order to distribute heat (including cold) evenly throughout the home, efficient air circulation is essential. Otherwise, the heat will stagnate and be concentrated in the space where the heat source is placed.
When it comes to larger houses and apartments where the heat source is placed on the ground floor a bit away from the stairwell, it is quite common to have uneven heat distribution. One way to solve the problem is to install a supplementary heat source.
Unfortunately, an additional heat source requires quite a large investment to be realized. Therefore, it is much more cost-effective to install a heat mover like Airmove 2.0 . This heat mover has been designed to create a continuous circulation of the warm air.
This will in turn also enable heating of the upper floor. As you can see in the table below, the average temperature is significantly lower with heat exchangers than without between the different floors of the home:
|
Floor plan |
Average temp. without heat exchanger |
Medium temp. with heat exchanger |
|
Ground floor |
23°C |
21°C |
|
Upstairs |
17°C |
20°C |
Works ideally - both in winter and summer
During the winter months, transporting warm air to the upper floors of the house can be a challenge. By investing in a heat exchanger, a negative pressure is created that forces the cold air from the upper floors down to the ground floor.
This in turn creates a negative pressure on the upper floor, while positive pressure is formed on the lower floor. When these conditions are met, the warm air from the ground floor will automatically seek its way up to the upper floor.
The end result will be a much more even distribution of heat, including more efficient air circulation. The latter will also reduce the formation of moisture, which in the worst case can result in mold growing!
During the summer months, the function is reversed. More specifically, this is achieved by circulating the cool air to the upper floor by fanning the warm air down to the ground floor. This results in an effective air exchange and significantly cooler temperatures throughout the house!
Energy saving with heat exchangers
According to the Swedish Energy Agency, many homeowners could save significant amounts by installing a heat exchanger. To give you an idea of how much you can save with Airmove 2.0, we will now calculate it all based on the following:
- Percentage savings: Airmove 2.0 provides a 25-35% savings.
- Electricity price: SEK 1.50 per kWh.
- Power consumption: 3W, which corresponds to approximately 27 kWh per year.
Below we have prepared a table based on figures from both the Swedish Energy Agency and the Swedish Board of Housing, Building and Planning. Based on the figures below, you could save many thousands of Swedish kronor by installing Airmove 2.0!
|
Type of residence |
Consumption before installation of Airmove 2.0 |
Saving |
Annual savings |
|
Townhouse |
15,000 kWh/year |
25 - 35% |
5,625 - 7,875 SEK |
|
Villa |
20,000 kWh/year |
25 - 35% |
7,500 - 10,500 SEK |
To find out how much you can save with your particular home, we recommend that you book a free consultation with one of our experts!
Closing words
If you live in a multi-storey building with a frequently used heat source, such as a wood-burning stove, a heat exchanger can save you several thousand Swedish kronor per year. We particularly recommend the Airmove 2.0 when you are aiming to spread heat between floors.
Based on our calculations and data from the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning, you can save a large portion of your energy costs, depending on the type of home and the existing heat source. Generally speaking, you will save the most money if you live in a villa, but terraced and semi-detached houses will also see significant savings.
Frequently asked questions
Are heat exchangers really efficient?
Yes, by transporting the warm air from a central heating source, you can reduce the need for investments in other heating sources. In addition to spreading the warm air more efficiently, you can also make big energy savings!
How do I best distribute the heat?
In addition to investing in a heat exchanger, you also need to focus on other methods. This includes but is not limited to keeping doors open between floors and rooms, placing furniture so that it does not block vents, etc.
Can I use a heat exchanger to transport cold air?
Yes, this is useful during the summer months. The concept is based on the same logic, which means that you instead circulate air between floors in the same way that you transport warm air during the winter months.
