Build smarter. Retrofit better. Recover more energy.

New construction is the ideal time to integrate energy recovery — when ductwork, equipment, and controls can be designed as a unified system from the beginning. NovelAire ECWs are most commonly specified as the energy recovery component inside a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS), which is the recognized gold standard for commercial ventilation design. 

• Reduce First Cost — Not Just Operating Cost: By pre-conditioning outdoor air, the ECW reduces the peak heating and cooling load on downstream equipment. This allows engineers the opportunity to specify smaller chillers, boilers, compressors and AHU coils, thus potentially reducing the first cost of the entire mechanical package. The ECW doesn’t just save energy; it could help offset its own cost partially through HVAC downsizing.

• DOAS Integration: NovelAire wheels are designed for seamless integration in DOAS units manufactured by dozens of top AHU OEMs.
• LEED, WELL & Green Building Credits: Energy recovery contributes to LEED EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance (5–15 points), WELL Air Concept credits, CHPS criteria for schools, and Energy Star scores. Specifying energy recovery in new construction maximizes certification potential. 

• Future-Proofing: Building performance standards (NYC LL97, Boston BERDO, DC BEPS) increasingly penalize buildings based on actual energy consumption. Designing with energy recovery from the start ensures compliance with both current codes and emerging performance mandates. 

• Identify outdoor air cfm requirement per ASHRAE 62.1 for each zone 

• Determine if ASHRAE 90.1 Section 6.5.6.1 triggers energy recovery requirement 

• Select NovelAire ECW model using NovTools selection software (free, web-based) 

• Specify wheel depth based on effectiveness target and pressure drop budget 

• Coordinate cassette dimensions with AHU manufacturer 

• Specify purge section if cross-contamination control is required (healthcare, lab, pharma) 

• Coordinate controls integration (BMS interface, speed control, bypass damper) 

Most commercial buildings in the United States were built before current energy codes required energy recovery. The average commercial building is 30+ years old, and the average school building is 49 years old. These facilities are ventilating with systems that exhaust conditioned air directly outdoors — wasting 100% of the energy used to condition it. Retrofitting energy recovery into these existing systems is one of the highest-ROI HVAC upgrades available. 

• Wheel Replacement in Existing AHU: If the existing air handler has an energy recovery section with a failed, degraded, or underperforming wheel, NovelAire can provide a direct replacement wheel sized to fit the existing cassette — or a new cassette assembly if needed. This is the simplest and lowest-cost retrofit approach. 

• Add Energy Recovery to Existing AHU: For air handlers that were built without energy recovery, a NovelAire ECW cassette assembly can be added to the AHU — either by extending the unit or by reconfiguring the existing sections. This requires ductwork modifications to route exhaust air through the wheel, but the energy savings can tyically justify the investment with a reasonable payback period.

• New DOAS Unit with Energy Recovery: For buildings undergoing major HVAC modernization, adding a dedicated outdoor air system with NovelAire ECW is the most comprehensive approach. The new DOAS handles all outdoor air conditioning and dehumidification, while existing equipment (RTUs, fan coils, VRF) continues to handle space conditioning. This is the DOE-recommended retrofit strategy for maximum energy savings. 

• Phased Retrofit Program: For school districts, hospital systems, and multi-building campuses, NovelAire supports phased implementation — upgrading one building or air handler at a time, spreading capital costs across multiple budget cycles while accumulating savings from each completed phase. 

• Existing energy recovery wheel has failed or is underperforming (check rotation, media condition, seals) 

• Building is undergoing major HVAC renovation or equipment replacement 

• New ventilation code or building performance standard requires increased outdoor air or energy recovery 

• Chronic humidity, mold, or IAQ complaints indicate inadequate ventilation or moisture control 

• Energy costs are excessive and outdoor air conditioning is a significant contributor 

• Building is pursuing LEED, Energy Star, or other green building certification 

• Existing ERV/HRV uses a plate-type or heat-pipe exchanger that recovers only sensible energy — upgrading to a total enthalpy wheel recovers both heat and moisture