What makes a plate heat recovery unit stand out from other types?

A plate heat recovery unit features the highest heat recovery coefficient on the market, reaching up to 95%, and provides complete airstream separation. In the heat exchanger, exhaust and supply air pass through thin plates without ever touching, meaning no odors or pollutants from the kitchen and bathroom return to living spaces. It is the perfect choice for A++ class homes aiming for maximum energy efficiency and the highest air hygiene.

Does a plate heat exchanger freeze during Lithuanian winters?

In extreme cold, ice can indeed form in a plate heat exchanger, which is why these units require an electrical pre-heater. The smart automation of the heat recovery unit turns on the pre-heating only when the outside temperature drops below a critical threshold. This smart process protects the unit's core from freezing and ensures a continuous, steady supply of fresh air into the rooms even on the coldest January night.

Does this ventilation unit need condensate drainage?

Yes, all standard plate heat recovery units require continuous condensate drainage into the home's sewage system. Because the extracted warm indoor air cools rapidly when encountering outdoor air across the exchanger plates, many water droplets form. This accumulated water must be safely removed through a special siphon with a non-return valve, so a drainage pipe must be planned in the utility room during installation.

Plate Heat Recovery Units (Counterflow HRV) | ORO Haus

Lost Heat and Unwanted Room Odors

Many new homeowners fear that constantly ventilating their house will lead to losing precious heat. When you open a window during winter to let fresh air in, you release hard-earned indoor warmth in minutes. Your home's heating system must then work at extra capacity to compensate, which directly inflates your monthly bills.

Another common problem is odor migration between home spaces. With lower-quality ventilation solutions, strong dinner smells from the kitchen or high humidity from the bathroom can easily reach your bedroom. This mixing of air ruins your night's rest and prevents you from enjoying complete cleanliness throughout the house.

Maximum Savings and Absolute Air Purity

By installing a plate heat recovery unit, you achieve the highest possible energy efficiency. Thanks to counterflow technology, the stale air extracted from the rooms transfers its heat to the incoming outdoor air without ever touching it. You get to enjoy continuous freshness while drastically reducing your heating expenses.

Your bedroom will always smell only of clean, peaceful air. Because the airstreams in the unit are strictly separated by plastic or aluminum plates, exhaust air particles never enter the supply stream. This ensures the highest level of hygiene for your family, protecting your living areas from any unwanted odors.

Up to 95% heat recovery efficiency - this means a plate heat recovery unit allows you to reach the highest A++ energy performance standards, making your home exceptionally economical.

The market is full of plate models, but it is important to choose one that exactly meets your home's needs. Because this unit guarantees maximum heat savings, evaluate parameters that will ensure long-lasting operation even during extreme freezes:

Airflow Capacity (m3/h) - select a model whose capacity matches your home's square footage. For a 100-150 m2 house, look for at least 300-450 m3/h performance so the unit runs at low RPMs in daily mode and emits no noise.
Pre-heater Power (W) - for the Lithuanian climate, this is a critical parameter. A plate heat exchanger is prone to freezing, so ensure the unit has an integrated electrical heater of sufficient power to protect the system from ice formation in winter.
Filtration Class - plate models are excellent for allergy sufferers, especially if they use F7 (or ePM1) class filters that capture pollen and fine particulate matter straight from the outdoors.

Plate or Enthalpy Heat Exchanger?

While plate heat recovery units return the most heat, they do not recover indoor moisture. If your priority is absolute maximum energy efficiency and odor impermeability, a plate model is the best choice. However, if you want to avoid dry air in winter without any additional humidifiers, it is worth looking into enthalpy heat recovery units, which use the same structure but feature a special moisture-returning membrane.

Key Installation Steps

Installing this type of heat recovery unit requires extra engineering attention to the drainage system. Unlike rotary units, a large amount of water condensate forms here, which must be routed correctly for the system to operate smoothly.

Utility Room Selection - the unit is usually wall-mounted. It will need not only electrical power for the pre-heater but also direct access to the home's sewage network to connect the drain.
Condensate Siphon Installation - the installer must fit a special siphon with a non-return valve. This ensures water flows out freely while preventing sewage odors from ever entering the ventilation system.
[Ductwork](/kategorijos/ortakiu-sistemos) Connection - airtight, well-insulated ducts are connected to the main unit, distributing pure air to all rooms. To guarantee absolute silence, the use of silencers is mandatory.

Periodic System Care

Maintaining a plate heat recovery unit is extremely simple because it has absolutely no rotating mechanical parts. Your main job is to regularly change the heat recovery filters at least every 4-6 months. It is also recommended to slide out the heat exchanger block once a year and gently rinse it with warm shower water to remove accumulated fine dust. A properly maintained unit will last for decades and significantly save your heating money every single year.

Plate Heat Recovery Units

Need help choosing a ventilation system?

Often bought together with

Lost Heat and Unwanted Room Odors

Maximum Savings and Absolute Air Purity

Plate or Enthalpy Heat Exchanger?

Key Installation Steps

Periodic System Care

Frequently Asked Questions

About

Help

Services

Resources