Usually when you think about recycling you think about saving the environment and not about saving money but there is a way in which you can recycle and save money at the same time and that is by installing a heat recovery system. A heat recovery system can be installed in industries where a lot of heat is required in the production processes or even in a regular homestead and the results will still be the same; a cleaner environment and savings in energy costs.
How it Works
A heat recovery system is basically the same as it sounds which means it recovers heat that would ordinarily be lost through the ventilation system, directs it to a heat transfer unit and then that heat, which would have been wasted, can be used to heat boilers, incoming air or any other device you choose. The system is designed to work with your existing ventilation system and there are so many different types available today that one will certainly be compatible to your current system regardless of how large or small it may be.
Installation
Even though a heat recovery system only augments your current system, it still has to be professionally installed but many of the better system providers like Exodraft, the world leader in heat recovery systems, will cause minimal disruption during installation and will often use existing space for that installation, perhaps cupboards or ceiling voids. Once installed the heat recovery system requires a minimal amount of maintenance and even when the transfer unit needs cleaning, some providers will allow you to order a separate replacement unit for that cleaning period, affording the minimum disruption to production.
Statistics
Today everything seems to be about numbers and so some of the numbers involved with the installation of a heat recovery system are:
Heat Loss – On average a ventilation system which does not have the added heat recovery system, can lose as much as 80% of the heat generated
Heat Savings – Aheat recovery system added to a ventilation system can often create a reduction in energy costs of as much as 20%
Cost
Obviously it will cost you to buy and have the heat recovery system installed and exactly how much it costs will depend on your existing ventilation system and which particular addition you will need. However, in all cases the additional system is cheaper than replacing an old ventilation system with a completely new, more efficient one. In most cases the cost of the recovery system can be recouped within 2 years of installation by the reduced cost of energy.
Global Warming
Many industries today and even some home owners are required to upgrade, replace or do something with their existing heating and ventilation systems in order to comply with stricter emission regulations being legislated by governments due to the effect fossil fuel emissions are having on the environment, namely contributing to global warming. When this occurs the installation of a heat recovery system enables those industries to meet the new, stricter regulations without too much expense and at the same time, save costs in energy bills.
Renewable Energy
Of course one of the many forms of renewable energies may not cause a pollution problem but as most of those are still in their infancy, they are a very expensive alternative to heating by the use of fossil fuels and it will probably be many more years before they do become a financially viable alternative.
Conclusion
The installation of a heat recovery system can pay for itself after just 2 years after which time the savings in energy costs become either savings or profits. As well as saving on energy costs, in some instances the installation of one of these systems may also save an industry being fined for not complying with new regulations.
