Heat recovery is a crucial process in heating technology that aims to recover waste heat generated in various industrial processes or applications and put it to good use. This approach makes it possible to increase energy efficiency and reduce the use of primary energy.
Heat recovery with waste heat involves identifying heat sources and using suitable methods to capture and utilize the waste heat generated. This can be done in various applications, such as power plants, industrial production facilities, heating and cooling systems and building technology. There are various technologies for heat recovery, including heat exchangers, heat pumps and exhaust gas recirculation systems. These systems make it possible to capture the thermal energy contained in the waste heat and use it for heating purposes, preheating process air or generating hot water. One example of heat recovery is the use of waste heat from industrial processes to heat buildings in the room or to preheat air in heating and ventilation systems. By using heat recovery systems, the energy required for heating purposes can be reduced, leading to a significant reduction in energy costs. Another example is heat recovery in power plants. Here, the waste heat from the electricity generation process is used to generate steam to drive turbines. This increases the efficiency of the power plant and generates more electrical energy from the same amount of fuel.
In our modern world, energy-efficient solutions are needed to reduce both the environmental impact and the cost of energy consumption. One way to achieve this is to implement a heat recovery system in ventilation systems.
Heat is recovered with a heat exchanger. The two air flows are directed into separate channels to prevent mixing. The heat exchanger consists of lamella-like elements that offer a large surface area and therefore enable efficient heat exchange. The warm waste air flows through one channel of the heat exchanger, while the cold fresh air is directed through the other channel. The proximity of the air flows to each other results in a heat exchange in which the heat energy is transferred from the waste air to the feed air. In this way, a large proportion of the heat energy can be recovered, which leads to a significant reduction in heating costs. Heat recovery is an important part of the energy revolution. By using the heat energy contained in the waste air, energy consumption can be significantly reduced. This is not only good for the environment, but also for the consumer's wallet. Another advantage of heat recovery is the improvement of the indoor climate. By using the thermal energy from the waste air, the feed air is heated and thus the room temperature is kept at a comfortable level. This contributes to a comfortable and healthy indoor climate. Heat recovery can be used in different areas. As well as being used in ventilation systems, it is also used in industry, for example for waste heat recovery in production processes. The use of waste heat can significantly increase energy efficiency in industry.
The implementation of a ventilation system with heat recovery offers a wide range of benefits, both in terms of energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness:
A ventilation system with heat recovery contributes to the energy efficiency of a building, as a large proportion of the heat energy contained in the waste air is recovered and used for heating. This can save heating costs and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. This makes it easier to use renewable energies for heating.
Improvement in indoor air quality:
Controlled ventilation with heat recovery ensures that fresh air always enters the building while maintaining high indoor air quality. The use of filters also removes particles and pollutants from the feed air, which is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.
The implementation of a ventilation system with heat recovery is associated with certain costs. Nevertheless, the investment is worthwhile in most cases, as considerable savings can be achieved in the long term.
Investment costs and operating costs:
The investment costs for a ventilation system with heat recovery vary depending on the size of the building, type of system and additional requirements. It is important to consider the long-term operating costs, which are generally lower than for conventional ventilation systems due to the energy savings.
Savings potential and payback period:
The savings potential of a ventilation system with heat recovery depends on various factors, such as the thermal insulation standard of the building and the individual conditions of use. However, a payback period of a few years can generally be achieved.
Political framework conditions and funding opportunities:
Politics plays an important role in promoting and supporting heat recovery in ventilation systems. Political framework conditions and funding programs create incentives to promote the use of energy-efficient solutions and drive forward their implementation.
In view of rising energy prices and the increasing importance of environmental protection, implementing a ventilation system with heat recovery is a sensible investment. Not only does it enable considerable savings in heating costs, it also helps to reduce CO2 emissions and improve indoor air quality. With this technology and political framework conditions, heat recovery in ventilation systems will continue to play a central role in the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings in the future.
