Heat recovery systems Recover the heat lost and save energy!
Receive financial support to recover the heat produced by one of your systems—heat that would otherwise be lost—and repurpose it to reduce your company's energy use, regardless of the size of your company.
Apply for financial support
Apply today and turn your investment into long-term savings!
How can you make use of the available energy?
All buildings contain an untapped source of heat. By making use of this energy, you can reduce your expenses, optimize your energy efficiency and demonstrate your leadership in the energy transition.
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Immediate savings
Whether it's a matter of easily integrating devices into existing systems or designing an optimized process, both will result in immediate energy savings.
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Increased value of building
Outstanding energy efficiency makes the building more attractive to all stakeholders in the real estate market.
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Recoup your investment quickly
Take advantage of available financial support (up to 75% of eligible costs) to recoup your investment quickly.
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Sustainable performance
Integrating solutions such as heat recovery at the design stage or during building renovations leads to a lasting reduction in energy needs.
Innovative solutions to repurpose waste heat
In each building, every heat source is an opportunity to transform losses into savings—with innovative solutions, you can recover up to 85% of the energy that is generally lost.
Using a water loop
Thermal efficiency between 40% and 50%
This system recovers heat from a building's exhaust air and redistributes it using a closed-loop system in which a liquid such as water or glycol circulates. The recovered energy can be used to heat or cool other parts of the building.
Application
Suitable for all types of buildings, particularly those in which the exhaust air is directly evacuated.
Cooler heat recovery system
Coefficient of performance (COP) up to 4*
A cooler heat recovery system is used to recover heat generated during the refrigeration/air-conditioning process and then use it elsewhere in the building.
*i.e., up to 4 units of heat produced per unit of electricity consumed
Application
Suitable in buildings in which the air-conditioning or refrigeration operates all year long (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, factories) and where there is a very high demand for hot water.
Using a plate heat exchanger
Thermal efficiency between 20% and 70%
A plate heat exchanger is a simple system that is used to recover heat from a building's outgoing air and to reheat the incoming air. It operates without moving parts, making it quiet, inexpensive and long-lasting.
Application
Suitable for commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.
Using a cassette-style regenerative heat exchanger
Thermal efficiency between 20% and 70%
This system operates with two cassettes. With each cycle, the energy from the exhaust air is accumulated in one of the cassettes, while the other discharges the fresh air accumulated during the previous cycle. A system of mechanical dampers reverses the supply and exhaust air flows.
Application
Suitable for commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.
Using a heat regenerative rotary heat exchanger (thermal wheel)
Thermal efficiency between 60% and 80%
A heat regenerative rotary heat exchanger (also known as a thermal wheel) is a device integrated into ventilation systems to recover heat from exhaust air (the building's evacuated air) and then use it to reheat the incoming fresh air.
Application
Suitable for commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.
Need support?
A consulting engineering firm or an equipment manufacturer can help you determine the best option based on your specific needs.
Explore the different possibilities
Check out some real-life projects that show how buildings subject to Rate M can take advantage of heat recovery and get more out of the energy they use.
Institutional market Arena
Measures implemented
- A heat recovery system was installed to preheat the fresh air in the ventilation system (100-kW exchanger)
- A heat recovery system was installed to preheat domestic hot water (80-kW exchanger)
Total financial support
$51,070
Commercial market Office building
Measures implemented
- Heat recovery through the thermal wheel installed on the 100% fresh-air intake system (10,000 L/s)
- 10 drain-water heat recovery systems installed
Total financial support
$305,335
Industrial market Metallic products manufacturing plant
Measures implemented
- A 14,200 L/s plate heat exchanger (enthalpy cube) was installed to reduce electricity use
Total financial support
$360,083
Calculate and submit an application for financial support
Submit a request for financial support for your project with the Efficient Solutions calculation tool (OSE).
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Efficient solutions for your business
Hydro‑Québec will work alongside you to help you with your energy efficiency projects.
From the planning stage to the implementation of your project, you will find the financial support and support your business needs to actively contribute to the collective effort to decarbonize Québec.
