Ask an Engineer: Water Heat Recovery

Is Water Heat Recovery Cost-effective for Commercial Facilities?

Heat recovery captures energy from water otherwise wasted. Using recovered thermal energy to heat or preheat water is cost-effective in facilities with high hot-water demand, such as hotels and restaurants.

Waste heat temperatures must be high enough to serve as a useful heat source. Potential waste heat sources include:

•    Heat pumps and chillers
•    Hot air from kitchens and laundries
•    Steam condensate
•    Wastewater drain lines
 

Consider heat recovery when replacing heating and cooling systems, refrigeration systems, or processing equipment.