Yes, crossflow heat exchangers work for both heating and cooling ventilation systems

1. How it works in heating mode (winter)

Warm stale exhaust air from indoors passes perpendicular to cold incoming outdoor fresh air. Heat transfers through the separating plates to preheat the fresh air before it enters the room.

• Reduces the heating load of furnaces, heat pumps or boilers

• Recovers waste heat that would otherwise be vented outside

2. How it works in cooling mode (summer)

Cool indoor exhaust air flows across hot outdoor fresh air. The exhaust absorbs heat from the incoming fresh air, precooling it.

• Cuts down air conditioner runtime and power consumption

• Lowers supply air temperature without extra refrigeration energy

3. Limitations to note

1. Lower overall heat recovery efficiency than counterflow cores (50%–75% vs 85%–93%). For projects requiring ultra-high energy savings, counterflow is preferred.

2. Standard sensible crossflow cores only transfer temperature heat; they cannot exchange moisture. If humidity control is needed in hot/humid summers or dry winters, select an ERV crossflow core with moisture-permeable membranes.

3. In frigid winter conditions, crossflow cores are prone to frost buildup. A preheating coil or bypass damper is required to prevent ice blockage.

4. Typical dual-use scenarios

• Residential HRV ventilation units

• Commercial AHUs, rooftop AC units

• Factory workshop exhaust heat recovery

• Livestock & greenhouse year-round ventilation