Heat recovery

Up to 94% of the energy a compressor consumes is turned into heat. Without heat recovery, it is lost unused through the cooling system, while energy for heating and hot water is bought in at the same time. With heat recovery, you use this heat and cut energy costs and CO₂ emissions.

Usable heat

up to 94% of the energy

Hot water

up to 85 °C, Ultima up to 90 °C

Payback

often under 1 year

How it works

A heat exchanger takes the heat from the compressor’s cooling circuit and transfers it to water. The warm water feeds the heating system, the hot water supply or a process. With air-cooled compressors, the warm exhaust air can also be ducted into a hall.

When the plant needs no heat, the normal cooling takes over. The compressed air supply is unaffected.

Significantly lower energy costs
Payback typically under one year
Less CO₂
Factory-fitted or retrofittable
Simple installation and operation
No effect on the compressed air supply

What the heat can be used for

Heating

Support the heating circuit of the building or hall.

Hot water

Heat domestic and shower water without a separate boiler.

Process heat

Preheat cleaning, drying and process baths, and preheat feed water for steam.

Room air

Duct the compressor’s warm cooling air into a warehouse or workshop.

Solutions by compressor type

For oil-lubricated compressors

Oil-water heat exchanger, factory-fitted or retrofitted

In oil-lubricated screw compressors, most of the heat is in the oil. An oil-water heat exchanger extracts it and heats water for heating, hot water or processes. Many models are available with built-in heat recovery, and existing compressors can be retrofitted. See oil-lubricated compressors.

For CompAir oil-lubricated compressors
Factory-fitted or retrofitted
Also as space heating via an exhaust air duct

For oil-free compressors

Integrated, heat recovery+ or turnkey with E-max

For the Ultima and the water-cooled DX compressors, there are several levels: a provision for external heat recovery, additional water temperature control (heat recovery+) or E-max, a complete turnkey solution with its own standby cooler for times when no heat is needed. See oil-free compressors.

For Ultima, air- and water-cooled
For the water-cooled DX series
E-max as a complete turnkey solution
Hot water up to 90 °C

Frequently asked questions

How much can be saved?

That depends on how many hours the compressor runs and how much heat you need over the year. With continuous operation and a regular heat demand, the system often pays for itself in less than a year. We will do the calculation for your business.

Can my existing compressor be retrofitted?

For many compressors, yes. We check the type, output and installation and propose the right solution.

What happens when I don’t need any heat?

The compressor then cools as usual via its normal cooling system or a standby cooler. The compressed air supply continues unchanged.

Who maintains the compressor?

We do. As the CompAir partner for north-western Switzerland, we maintain and repair your system with genuine spare parts and service kits. If your compressed air supply fails, you can reach our on-call service on 062 552 00 88.