Everything You Need to Know About Heat Recovery Units for Your Business
Proper ventilation isn’t just about comfort. It’s about energy efficiency, air quality, and the safety of your team. For warehouses and office buildings, heat recovery units offer a practical solution. They help manage airflow, reduce energy waste and keep your environment fresh – without sending costs soaring.
If you’re responsible for a commercial property, here’s what you need to know about this smart system and how it could benefit your workplace.
What Are Heat Recovery Units?
Heat recovery units are mechanical ventilation systems that capture heat from stale outgoing air and transfer it to fresh incoming air. This means you get fresh air indoors without losing all the heat your system has already generated.
In colder months, this helps keep heating bills down. In warmer months, systems can also work in reverse to help with cooling. For offices and warehouses that rely on constant airflow – but don’t want to lose money through energy inefficiency – this is a game-changer.
Why Ventilation Matters More Than Ever
Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, especially in busy or sealed environments like warehouses and office buildings. Without proper ventilation, carbon dioxide builds up. So does moisture, dust, and airborne contaminants. This can make your team feel tired, lead to equipment wear and even contribute to sickness.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends increasing ventilation wherever people are working indoors. Poor airflow can contribute to damp, mould, or a higher transmission risk of airborne infections. According to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), mechanical ventilation such as heat recovery units offers one of the most effective ways to provide fresh air consistently.
Benefits of Heat Recovery Units
1. Reduced Energy Costs
Heat recovery units recycle up to 70–90% of the heat that would otherwise escape from your building. This reduces how hard your heating or cooling systems have to work. Less energy used means lower monthly bills and a more environmentally responsible property.
2. Cleaner, Fresher Air
By constantly drawing in filtered outdoor air, these units reduce the build-up of stale air, odours, and indoor pollutants. This helps keep your workspace healthier, especially for staff in enclosed areas like meeting rooms or stock areas.
3. Condensation and Mould Prevention
Good airflow helps control humidity levels. That means heat recovery units reduce the risk of condensation building up around windows, walls or equipment – especially in large warehouse spaces or in kitchens and washrooms.
4. Quiet, Unobtrusive Operation
Most systems run quietly, making them ideal for open-plan offices or retail spaces. You’ll hardly know the system is there – but you’ll feel the difference in the air.
5. Environmentally Friendly
Using less energy helps your business cut its carbon footprint. If you’re working towards a sustainability policy or reporting on environmental impact, installing heat recovery units is a step in the right direction.
What Kind of Businesses Benefit Most?
Warehouses, distribution centres, call centres, multi-floor office blocks and care facilities all benefit from improved air circulation. If your business operates machinery or stores goods in controlled conditions, these systems are especially valuable.
Even smaller offices with limited window access can see an immediate improvement in comfort and energy use with the right ventilation system in place.
What to Consider Before Installing Heat Recovery Units
A professional site survey is essential. Your building layout, number of staff, insulation quality and existing HVAC setup all play a role in determining what system is right for you.
Systems must also be serviced regularly. Filters get dirty. Fans wear down. Like any mechanical system, heat recovery units need maintenance to keep performing efficiently.
That’s where Brooktech can help.
How Brooktech Supports Heat Recovery System Installations
Brooktech provides end-to-end support for installing, servicing, and maintaining heat recovery units. Whether you’re fitting a new system or upgrading existing ventilation, we help you choose the right option and install it professionally.
Our team also handles ongoing maintenance – including filter changes, airflow checks and full service inspections. That means better system performance, lower running costs, and cleaner air for your people.
We’ve worked with commercial offices, retail spaces, care homes and industrial units across the region. No jargon, no guesswork – just reliable advice and expert service tailored to your building’s needs.
Breathe Easy – Contact Brooktech
If you’re looking to improve air quality, reduce heating costs and create a healthier work environment, it’s time to look at heat recovery units.
Brooktech’s expert engineers are here to help you choose, install and maintain a system that suits your building, your team and your budget. We’ll guide you through the options and take care of everything.
📞 Contact Brooktech today to discuss how heat recovery units could benefit your business.
