Questions about reliability have historically dogged rotary energy-recovery devices. Consequently, many designers are reluctant to reduce heating-plant capacity, even though the total-energy wheel makes the extra heating capacity redundant.

A wheel differs little from a supply fan, however. If the wheel “breaks” due to a failed bearing, belt, or motor, the faulty component must be fixed to assure continued operation of the system. As wheels become more widely used and accepted, reductions in heating-plant capacity should become more common.

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