This paper presents the results of studies concerned with heat exchange and pressure drop during the flow of air and water through a channel with and without wire mesh packing. It was stated that using wire mesh packing makes possible increase in heat exchanged flux as well as heat transfer coefficient at simultaneous lowering the temperature of heating surface. A new model for describes heat transfer from channel wall to fluid is proposed. The differences between the fluxes of exchanged heat (in an empty and packed channel) compensates for the higher demand for energy in order to pump the gas through wire mesh packing. In the circumstances of the conducted research the energetic gain resulting from the use of wire mesh packing amounted to 40%. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.