How to make optimum use of your heat exchanger

An increasing number of poultry farms are using heat exchangers to improve the barn climate, save energy, and reduce emissions of fine dust and ammonia. A heat exchanger preheats the incoming cold outside air by using the warmth of the air extracted from the barn. This efficient exchange of heat results in lower heating costs. However, the greatest benefit lies in the improved climate inside the barn, leading to better animal performance.

How your heat exchanger works

The operating principle of the heat exchanger is as follows:

Warm air from the house is extracted and flows into the heat exchanger. A airflow transmitter continuously monitors the airflow.
Fresh, colder outside air enters the exchanger and is directed into the house.
In this process, the incoming cold air is preheated by the outgoing warm air before entering the house.
Circulation fans distribute the preheated fresh air evenly throughout the house.

To get the most out of your heat exchanger, proper configuration and control of all components is essential.

Energy-efficient ventilation saves energy costs

Also download our free white paper with more tips on energy efficient ventilation.

What to watch for when controlling your heat exchanger

The heat exchanger takes care of the first step in the minimum ventilation. Coordinate its (equal pressure) control carefully with that of the main ventilation system (under pressure) to ensure smooth transitions that won’t stress the animals. This works best when the heat exchanger control is fully integrated into the climate computer.
Make sure the fresh air is evenly distributed throughout the house to avoid dead zones. A louvre control system directs the air toward the ridge of the house for optimal mixing with barn air, preventing cold drafts onto the animals. The circulation fan speed should adapt to changing conditions, and air velocity should never be too high.
Always seek expert advice on the correct placement of circulation fans in relation to air inlet valves and heating units to avoid disrupting airflow patterns.
If air supply via the heat exchanger is turned off, the system should automatically switch to main ventilation while maintaining extraction through the exchanger for additional fine dust filtration.
Check that the airflow transmitter in the heat exchanger features an extra alarm control. This will alert you in case of issues and ensures a continuous supply of fresh air into the house.
Make sure that extra heating control has been added to control the heating in the heat exchanger. This improves the effect of the heat exchanger and reduces heating costs.
An extra rinse control enables phased rinse timer control in order to ensure that the water pressure is always sufficient.
Verify that all data required for submission to local authorities is automatically recorded.

Fancom heat exchanger control

Fancom’s Lumina 38H and Fancom One climate computers offer advanced heat exchanger control options that ensure the most efficient use of the system while maintaining an optimal house climate. The intuitive touchscreen interface provides a clear overview of current processes for even greater ease of use. All mandatory heat exchanger data logs are automatically recorded, and with the smartphone app, poultry farmers are connected to their barns 24/7, even while on the go. This saves time, minimizes errors, and significantly improves day-to-day management of a modern poultry farm.

Do you want to use complete farm automation in your business?

To the blog overview

How your heat exchanger works

Energy-efficient ventilation saves energy costs

What to watch for when controlling your heat exchanger

Fancom heat exchanger control

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