Energy conservation, energy recovery - the "buzz" words of today, have carried over to the laboratories. The potential to save, especially in energy extraction from exhaust air streams, has been recognized and accepted. New designs and retrofitting of existing buildings for incorporation of exhaust energy are common place if not the rule. This is, however, a relatively young idea and limited information is available on the actual performance of recovery devices when integrated with the building HVAC systems.

It is the intent of this paper to present the experience gained in the design, building, and operation of a multi-story laboratory facility equipped for exhaust air energy retrieval. The selection process of the recovery device will be reviewed to provide a basis for further discussion. Design difficulties encountered, along with the logic behind final decisions, will be presented. Finally, an analysis of common pitfalls and recommendations, based on the experience gained from this project, will be offered.