Heat Recovery – Heat Recycling

Heat Recovery is at the centre of the ideas involving energy saving, carbon saving and Heat Recycling. Heat Recovery needs to be linked to Thermal Energy Storage to achieve its full potential.

The Heat Recovery system used at the new Merton Intergenerational Centre consists of a set of compact fan coil condenser units linked by a two-pipe heat transfer system where each of the units can provide heat, or extract heat, independently. This allows heat to be extracted from rooms subject to high heat gains (from solar energy, IT server rooms, plant rooms or high occupancy areas) and transferred to rooms needing heat (because of shading, or low activity levels).

This approach of sharing heat is much more economical than the standard solution of “wasting” heat from hot areas and burning fuel to heat cold areas.

ICAX uses the Heat Recovery system to extend the principles of Interseasonal Heat Transfer (of collecting free heat in summer for use in winter) to allow for sharing of heat within a building where there are simultaneous needs for heating and cooling.

ICAX™ – Intrabuilding Heat Transfer™ – Heat Recovery

Heat Recovery technology can be very effective where there are simultaneous needs for heating and cooling within a building. The heat recovery potential is fully realised in conjunction with IHT where ICAX can store overall surplus heat extracted by heat recovery systems and return it when needed in winter when the balance of heat demand changes.

The combination of these two complementary renewable technologies by ICAX is a major new step toward the target of achieving Zero Carbon Buildings.

Intrabuilding Heat Transfer components provide simultaneous heating and cooling

This type of VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) system consists of a number of air handling units connected to a modular external condensing unit and the ICAX Skid. The refrigerant flow is varied using either an inverter controlled variable speed compressor, or multiple compressors of varying capacity in response to changes in the cooling or heating requirement of different zones within a building.

Integrating sustainable technologies

ICAX has demonstrated that green technologies can be successfully integrated in the search for Zero Carbon Buildings. Sustainable energy solutions can be reached with cost effective solar energy. ICAX has installed Intrabuilding Heat Transfer™ in the new Acacia Intergenerational Centre in the London Borough of Merton using heat recovery equipment.

Contact ICAX

We prefer to work in conjunction with architects and M&E consultants from the earliest stage to ensure that there is a clear understanding of how we can help to deliver a sustainable building with a high carbon offset.

Please email enquiries to

or give us a ring on 020 7253 2240.