Commercial kitchens run powerful hoods that throw away large amounts of hot, greasy air. Replacing it with conditioned make-up air is a major cost. Kitchen heat recovery captures the sensible heat while keeping grease and smoke out of the supply.
Why Separation Matters in Kitchens
Exhaust carries grease aerosol and odors, so any recovery device must keep streams separate. Run-around coils and heat pipes are the safe choices; rotary wheels are generally avoided because of carryover and cleaning difficulty.
Typical Setup
- Exhaust coil downstream of the grease filter and UV/ESPatch.
- Supply coil pre-heats or pre-cools incoming make-up air.
- Glycol loop (run-around) or sealed pipes (heat pipe) bridge the two.
- Bypass for 100 % exhaust during heavy cooking.
Benefits
- 20-40 % lower make-up air heating or cooling cost.
- Smaller make-up air unit capacity.
- More stable kitchen temperature and comfort.
- Lower carbon footprint for the facility.
Balance the make-up air unit against the hood so the kitchen holds the intended pressure relationship with the dining area. Size the supply coil or heat-pipe bank to the hood exhaust flow, and confirm the make-up air temperature keeps cooks comfortable without over-cooling the space. Demand-based ventilation that follows cooking activity avoids throwing away recovered heat during quiet periods. Keep grease out of the recovery side with proper filtration and a cleanable coil, and respect the grease-duct code for any access and drainage. A smaller make-up air unit often results because pre-conditioning cuts the heating or cooling load. See our heat recovery solutions for kitchen-rated separation cores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will grease clog the exchanger?
Not if the exhaust coil is placed after the hood filters and cleaned on a schedule; run-around coils are easiest to wash.
Does it meet fire codes?
Yes when designed per NFPA 96 with proper separation, drain, and access panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will grease clog the exchanger?
Not if the exhaust coil is placed after the hood filters and cleaned on a schedule; run-around coils are easiest to wash.
Does it meet fire codes?
Yes when designed per NFPA 96 with proper separation, drain, and access panels.
Specify the right heat exchanger
Our engineers size the core to your airflow, temperature and pressure-drop budget, and select plate, rotary or heat-pipe recovery by application. Read the heat exchanger guide or contact us for a specification.
Related products
Plate, wheel or pipe recovery for HVAC and ventilation.
Stationary, high-surface-area cores for air and liquid.
High-effectiveness energy recovery for large airflows.
Passive, fully separated streams for clean applications.