--- description: What is Recovered Energy: It is unused energy that would be wasted otherwise, produced during heating, cooling, & refrigeration. title: What is Recovered Energy (or Waste Heat Energy)? - Energy Theory image: https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/JAN23-What-is-Recovered-Energy-or-Waste-Heat-Energy.jpg --- [ Close Menu ](#) * [About](https://energytheory.com/about-us/) * [EV](https://energytheory.com/category/electric-vehicles/) * [FAQs](https://energytheory.com/category/faqs/) * [Glossary](https://energytheory.com/category/glossary/) * [Green](https://energytheory.com/category/green/) * [Renewable](https://energytheory.com/category/renewable/) * [Sustainable](https://energytheory.com/category/sustainable/) * [Energy Economy](https://energytheory.com/category/energy-economy/) * [Energy Services](https://energytheory.com/category/energy-services/) * [Solar](https://energytheory.com/category/solar/) * [Sustainable](https://energytheory.com/category/sustainable/) * [News](https://energytheory.com/category/latest-news/) * [Language](#) [ ![Energy Theory](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2e3rtgthghnm.png) ](https://energytheory.com/ "Energy Theory") ![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg)English [![es](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/es.svg) Spanish](#) [![fr](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fr.svg) French](#) [![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg) English](#) [![it](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/it.svg) Italian](#) [![zh-CN](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/zh-CN.svg) Chinese (Simplified)](#) [![nl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/nl.svg) Dutch](#) [![fi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fi.svg) Finnish](#) [![de](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/de.svg) German](#) [![hi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/hi.svg) Hindi](#) [![ja](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ja.svg) Japanese](#) [![pl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pl.svg) Polish](#) [![pt](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pt.svg) Portuguese](#) [![ru](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ru.svg) Russian](#) [ ![Energy Theory](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2e3rtgthghnm.png) ](https://energytheory.com/ "Energy Theory") ![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg)English [![es](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/es.svg) Spanish](#) [![fr](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fr.svg) French](#) [![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg) English](#) [![it](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/it.svg) Italian](#) [![zh-CN](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/zh-CN.svg) Chinese (Simplified)](#) [![nl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/nl.svg) Dutch](#) [![fi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fi.svg) Finnish](#) [![de](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/de.svg) German](#) [![hi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/hi.svg) Hindi](#) [![ja](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ja.svg) Japanese](#) [![pl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pl.svg) Polish](#) [![pt](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pt.svg) Portuguese](#) [![ru](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ru.svg) Russian](#) [Glossary](https://energytheory.com/category/glossary/) # What is Recovered Energy (or Waste Heat Energy)? By [Elliot Clark](https://energytheory.com/author/elliot%5Fclark/)November 17, 20232 Mins Read ![JAN23 What is Recovered Energy \(or Waste Heat Energy\)](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/JAN23-What-is-Recovered-Energy-or-Waste-Heat-Energy-1024x683.jpg "What is Recovered Energy (or Waste Heat Energy)?") Recovered energy (or waste heat energy), is **unused energy that would be wasted otherwise.** It’s produced during processes like heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Waste heat recovery captures and reuses this energy to cut costs, reduce CO2 emissions, and improve energy efficiency. ### **What Methods Are Used For Recovering Waste Heat Energy?** Various methods exist for recovering waste heat, some of them are- * **Preheating Incoming Gas:** Waste heat from exhaust gases or conditioning unit exhaust streams can be used to preheat incoming gas, a basic method for waste heat recovery. * **Heat to Power Units (WHRUs):** These units can recover waste heat and convert it into electricity, providing an efficient method of energy recovery. **Also See:** [What is Municipal Waste?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-municipal-waste/) ### **What are the Applications of Recovered Energy (or Waste Heat Energy)?** Recovered Energy (or Waste Heat Energy) finds many applications in various industries and processes. Some common uses include: * **Industrial Processes:** Recovering heat from hot streams, water, or gases in industrial processes, like steam from cooling towers or flue gases from [generators](https://energytheory.com/which-is-the-best-generator-for-off-grid-battery-charging/), improves efficiency and reduces emissions. * **Space Heating and Cooling:** Waste heat recovery preheats incoming gas for space heating and cooling, enhancing energy efficiency. * **Electricity Generation:** Waste heat, at different temperature ranges, can generate electricity or mechanical work using units called WHRUs or heat-to-power units. * **Refrigeration:** Waste heat recovery preheats refrigerant before entering the [compressor](https://www.compressorsunlimited.com/blog/how-a-refrigeration-compressor-works), reducing energy consumption in refrigeration systems. * **Domestic Hot Water Generation:** Recovered heat is used to preheat incoming water for domestic hot water systems. **Recommended:** [What is Repowering?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-repowering/) Share. [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwhat-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy%2F "Share on Facebook") [ Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwhat-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy%2F&text=What%20is%20Recovered%20Energy%20%28or%20Waste%20Heat%20Energy%29%3F "Share on X (Twitter)") [ Pinterest ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwhat-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FJAN23-What-is-Recovered-Energy-or-Waste-Heat-Energy.jpg&description=What%20is%20Recovered%20Energy%20%28or%20Waste%20Heat%20Energy%29%3F "Share on Pinterest") [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwhat-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy%2F "Share on LinkedIn") [ Tumblr ](https://www.tumblr.com/share/link?url=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwhat-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy%2F&name=What%20is%20Recovered%20Energy%20%28or%20Waste%20Heat%20Energy%29%3F "Share on Tumblr") [ Telegram ](https://t.me/share/url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwhat-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy%2F&title=What%20is%20Recovered%20Energy%20%28or%20Waste%20Heat%20Energy%29%3F "Share on Telegram") [ Email ](mailto:?subject=What%20is%20Recovered%20Energy%20%28or%20Waste%20Heat%20Energy%29%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Fenergytheory.com%2Fwhat-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy%2F "Share via Email") ![mm](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Elliot1-150x150.jpg) [Elliot Clark](https://energytheory.com/author/elliot%5Fclark/) Elliot is a passionate environmentalist and blogger who has dedicated his life to spreading awareness about conservation, green energy, and renewable energy. With a background in environmental science, he has a deep understanding of the issues facing our planet and is committed to educating others on how they can make a difference. #### Related Posts [![Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Post-consumer-recycled-PCR-content.png "What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-post-consumer-recycled-pcr-content/ "What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?") #### [What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-post-consumer-recycled-pcr-content/) April 9, 2024 [![Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Heating-Seasonal-Performance-Factor-HSPF.jpg "What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-heating-seasonal-performance-factor-hspf/ "What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?") #### [What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-heating-seasonal-performance-factor-hspf/) February 3, 2024 [![What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/What-is-Annual-Fuel-Utilization-Efficiency-AFUE.jpg "What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-annual-fuel-utilization-efficiency-afue/ "What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?") #### [What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-annual-fuel-utilization-efficiency-afue/) February 2, 2024 [Add A Comment ](#) Leave A Reply [Cancel Reply](https://energytheory.com/what-is-recovered-energy-or-waste-heat-energy/#respond) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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