Vaillant recoVAIR VAR 260/4, 360/4 - RECUTECH enthalpy exchanger
- Premium enthalpy heat exchanger with highest efficiency, made in the Czech Republic.
The image is for illustrative purposes only.
This enthalpy exchanger is dimensionally identical to the recuperators in the recuperation units Vaillant recoVAIR VAR 260/4, 360/4 and is normally installed in the units.
However, it is not an original spare part supplied and fitted by the manufacturer of the unit, so its use is at the discretion of the user of the recuperation unit.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR YOUR UNIT - Highest temperature efficiency among all enthalpy products on the market
The RFK+ / RFC+ range is a fully enthalpy alternative to the counter flow heat exchangers REK+, offering up to 90 % sensible efficiency and very high latent efficiency thanks to innovative technology. Having identical dimensions, it is easy to interchange the aluminium and enthalpy heat exchanger in an air handling unit, without any adjustments. The RFK+ range offers excellent price-performance ratio.
✓ High humidity efficiency
✓ Sensible efficiency up to 90 %
✓ Latent efficiency up to 75 %
✓ 100% tightness testing
✓ High resistance to unbalanced pressure
✓ High selective permeability
✓ Minimizing condesation
✓ Standard shape and dimensions
✓ Combi solution
✓ Material by METALPIC
✓ Maximum pressure difference supply/exhaust of 800 Pa beats other plastic frame, polymer-based membrane enthalpy products
✓ Eliminates condensation and significantly lowers the freezing point
✓ Permits only water vapour transmission through highly selective permeable membrane
✓ Tightness guaranteed as 100% of the production is tested for internal leakage
✓ Certified by Eurovent , Hygiene VDI 6022 and Classification of reaction to fire EN 13501
What is an enthalpy exchanger?
An enthalpy exchanger recuperates not only heat but, due to the properties and materials used, also humidity.
What makes RECUTECH enthalpy exchangers so unique?
High temperature efficiency – Due to the materials used, no frames are required. As a result, the heat transfer surface is larger and the efficiency of heat transfer increases up to 90%.
Humidity transfer efficiency up to 75%.
Tightness – As you have come to expect, RECUTECH exchangers are tight. This also applies to our enthalpy exchangers.
How have we achieved these parameters?
Mainly thanks to the unique Metalpic material which we use in the Recutech enthalpy heat exchangers. This material has been developed by Recutech solely for this purpose. It is a sandwich material where each component has its clearly defined function.
The Metalpic consists of specially treated aluminium mesh with the largest possible open surface. The primary function of the mesh is to support the other component, a thin polymer membrane. Why aluminium? Because this material has excellent heat conductivity and it is easy to recycle.
The second component is the polymer membrane. Its primary function is humidity transfer while keeping the complete plate tight. The membrane is a ion-exchange semi-permeable type.
Thanks to the support of the aluminium mesh, the membrane can be very thin which maximizes the humidity transfer. After the lamination of the membrane to the mesh, the material is processed in the same way as the standard aluminium foil for the REK+ and REC+ heat exchangers. During the process, both components of the sandwich must withstand the same elongation as pure aluminium.
However, thanks to these properties, it is possible to create a plate which is strong enough and has increased heat and humidity transfer surface. The membrane gets thinner during the process as well which means, as mentioned above, increased humidity transfer.
Why use an enthalpy exchanger?
In order to answer this question, it is useful to explain what constitutes the ideal climate for healthy living. The ideal humidity in rooms is 40 – 60% relative humidity and a temperature of 18 – 22°C.
Recuperation with a classic cross-flow or counter-flow exchanger results in interiors being drier, particularly in the winter months because the cold air contains little water and the more humid air inside is exhausted.
The subsequent reduction in relative humidity, which can fall to 20%, can cause the mucous membranes to dry out. As a result, your eyes smart and your body’s resistance to viral and bacterial infections weakens rapidly. In unventilated rooms with low humidity, viruses spread literally at rocket speed.
A secondary effect is that rooms dry out, which can cause wooden floors and furniture to shrink.
Recuperation unit manufacturers are aware of this issue and resolve it, for example, through additional humidification using a so-called “enthalpy flap”, or through the natural diffusion of humidity using a rotating exchanger. However, these solutions have their disadvantages. All components that the outgoing air from the room contains pass through the unit.
Moreover, rotating exchangers are more susceptible to leaks. However, if a rinsing chamber exchanger is used, the “dirty” air is at least partially cleaned, but the efficiency drops and the dimensions of such units increase.
Porous membranes are commonly used, i.e. membranes with micro pores that only allow water molecules to pass through them. The disadvantages of such membranes are that they also allow smaller molecules to pass through them and that the pores slowly become clogged, resulting in their decreasing efficiency over time.
Ion exchange membranes are an alternative. These work on the basis of a water molecule’s ability to “climb” a ladder of ion bonds, whereas other gases and molecules cannot. In practical terms, this means that water vapour molecules can naturally pass from an area of higher humidity to an area of lower humidity, whereas other molecules and gases cannot.
It is in this selectivity that there is a big difference. However, selectivity can be measured by placing a membrane between two spaces, one containing air and the other a different gas (CO2, CO, or NH3). In the space with the air, the gas concentration is measured. If the gas concentration is not measurable in a standard way, then it can also be measured using a gas chromatograph, which determines the content of harmful gas more precisely.
ERV core, HRV core, ERV system, HRV system, Ventilation unit filter
Data sheet
- Unit manufacturer
- Vaillant
- Country of origin
- Czech Republic
RECUTECH are equipped with the latest enthalpic membrane METALPIC. They excel in top-class heat and humidity recovery, high resistance to pressure differences, and long service life. They are among the most advanced enthalpic heat exchangers currently available on the market.
ZERN are fully plastic enthalpic heat exchangers, very efficient, with slightly better moisture transfer, but with higher pressure loss.
No, never block the condensate drain.
Even though enthalpic heat exchangers produce only a minimal amount of condensate due to moisture transfer, in severe frost and specific humidity conditions, condensate can still occur. Blocking the drain could cause irreversible damage to your unit.
Since an enthalpic heat exchanger also transfers humidity, it might seem that the risk of mold is higher. In reality, however, all moisture is carried away with the fresh air, so there is no risk of mold growth.
Our recommendation is to never switch off the unit during the winter months, so that moisture is continuously removed. If you still need to shut down the unit, remove the exchanger, rinse it with clean water, dry it thoroughly, and only then reinstall it.
Yes, installation is simple. Just follow the instructions provided with your unit. As with a standard exchanger, it needs to be removed occasionally for cleaning – the process is the same, except that you put the enthalpic exchanger back in instead.
I am not sure about the type of exchanger in my unit, or I did not find my unit type in your e-shop. What should I do?
Feel free to contact us with any unit model. We will do our utmost to provide you with a 100% compatible exchanger, regardless of the type of ventilation unit you have.
In any case, the exchangers we supply are identical to the original parts used by the unit manufacturers, and in many cases, our exchangers are even of higher quality. However, we must clearly state that we are not official distributors of spare parts from the unit manufacturers. Transparency is very important to us.
An enthalpic heat exchanger should be used all year round. In winter, it prevents excessive drying of the indoor air, and in summer, it helps maintain comfortable humidity and temperature by reducing heat transfer and returning part of the moisture to the fresh supply air. This increases comfort and saves energy in every season.
No, caring for an enthalpic heat exchanger is no more demanding than for a standard one. Maintenance is described in the user manual and in our video guide. In short: first vacuum the exchanger with a soft brush attachment, then rinse it with clean water (max. 50 °C). Never use compressed air or a pressure washer.
After rinsing, allow all water to drain completely. Remaining moisture can be carefully blown out with a regular hairdryer, but always use cold air only. Once the exchanger is completely dry, place it back into the unit in the same orientation as before removal.
We do not recommend using chemicals for cleaning. Only if disinfection is absolutely necessary may a weak solution of peracetic acid (CH₃CO₃H) at 0.1–0.2% concentration be used, followed by very thorough rinsing with clean water.
Yes, the use of an enthalpic heat exchanger is completely safe. The membrane is designed to allow only water vapor molecules to pass through, while blocking bacteria, odors, and harmful substances. All enthalpic heat exchangers we offer are hygienically tested and certified.
An enthalpic heat exchanger will always help improve indoor humidity, as it transfers part of the moisture from exhaust air back into the fresh supply air. It cannot be guaranteed that ideal levels (typically 40–60%) will be achieved, since the final humidity also depends on other factors – such as household habits, number of occupants, natural moisture sources, and outdoor climate conditions.
However, we can guarantee that humidity will improve, because it is physically impossible for the return of moisture not to contribute to higher values.
The enthalpic plate works the same from both sides, so the orientation of the plate itself does not matter. However, it is essential that after cleaning the exchanger is always reinstalled in the same orientation, ensuring that the channels for fresh air remain for fresh air and the channels for exhaust air remain for exhaust air.
An enthalpic heat exchanger does not generate humidity – it maximizes the transfer of humidity from exhaust air into fresh supply air. If you previously used a standard exchanger, not only the air but also the building structure (walls, ceilings, floors) and porous materials became dry. This means it may take some time for humidity levels to recover, so patience is necessary.
Every enthalpic exchanger we supply is fully functional and improvement is guaranteed. We recommend keeping natural humidity sources (plants, cooking, drying clothes). If you use humidifiers, continue using them until the humidity rises to a comfortable level with the enthalpic exchanger, after which they can be reduced.
Yes. Unlike a standard exchanger, an enthalpic heat exchanger transfers part of the humidity back into the fresh air. This process is gradual, but you can speed it up by adding humidity – either naturally (plants, drying clothes, washing floors) or with humidifiers. Once the humidity has returned to a stable, optimal level, additional humidification can be reduced.
No, an enthalpic heat exchanger does not generate humidity by itself. It only transfers part of the moisture from the exhaust air back into the fresh supply air. If humidity in your home is too high, the cause lies elsewhere (e.g., insufficient ventilation, drying clothes indoors without venting, or residual construction moisture). The enthalpic exchanger helps balance humidity and prevents extreme fluctuations.
An enthalpic heat exchanger works on the principle of counterflow air streams. During ventilation, two separate airflows meet inside – the warm, humid exhaust air from indoors and the cold fresh air from outside. A special membrane transfers both heat and water vapor from the exhaust air to the incoming fresh air without mixing the two streams. This way, fresh air enters the home with a more comfortable temperature and humidity, improving comfort while saving energy.
The sealing tape must be applied around the perimeter of the exchanger, so that when inserted it presses firmly against the unit walls and prevents false air from being drawn in. The surface of the exchanger must be dry and clean before application. Always apply the tape straight, without gaps or folds, to ensure proper sealing.
- Premium enthalpy heat exchanger with highest efficiency, made in the Czech Republic.