How it works
How HERU works in a building.
HERU is a new generation of building infrastructure that converts the energy contained in authorised materials intentionally retained on-site into useful heat for hot water and space heating.
It is installed as part of a building's services infrastructure, allowing more of the value created within the building to be retained and used there.
Every building generates materials with value remaining within them. Rather than sending those materials away, authorised materials are intentionally retained on-site for the further purpose of generating useful heat — which HERU returns to the building through a controlled operating cycle.
Part of the building's infrastructure
HERU is installed, commissioned and maintained as part of a building's services infrastructure. It sits alongside other building plant, generally outside or within a suitable plant area, and is integrated with the building's services.
It connects to the heating and hot-water system through its heat-recovery circuit, so the useful heat it recovers is used where it is generated.
What goes in
Only authorised materials. These fall within HERU's validated operating envelope and are intentionally retained on-site for the prescribed purpose of HERU operation. The authorised materials schedule forms part of HERU's prescribed operating method.
The unit is not designed to accept whatever a building happens to produce. What may be loaded is defined and controlled.
A working cycle
HERU operates in batches rather than continuously. Authorised materials are loaded into the chamber and the unit completes an operating cycle in accordance with its prescribed operating method.
During that cycle HERU converts the energy those materials contain, and the useful heat recovered is transferred to the building's services. Throughput depends on the materials loaded, their characteristics and their moisture content.
Useful heat, returned to the building
The useful heat HERU recovers can contribute to hot water, to space heating, or to both. How it is used depends on the building's requirements and how HERU has been integrated with its services.
Retain more value at the point it is created.
Operated to a prescribed method
A HERU is operated only in accordance with its prescribed operating method. That method governs:
- Which materials are authorised
- How the unit is operated
- The records that are maintained
This provides a consistent operating framework from one installation to the next. Operation outside the prescribed operating method is not supported.
Installation, connection and commissioning
HERU is designed to be professionally installed as part of a building's infrastructure. The HERU 125 is a substantial item of building plant — earlier engineering documentation gives an overall envelope of approximately four metres wide — with final dimensions, configuration and installation requirements confirmed during specification.
Utility and connection requirements are determined by the unit configuration and the installation itself. HERU connects to the building's heating and hot-water system through its heat-recovery circuit.
Suitable access and service clearances are built into the installation so the unit can be operated, inspected and maintained safely. Installation and commissioning are undertaken by appropriately trained and competent personnel, and detailed site requirements are established during specification and installation.
Day to day
HERU is designed around a controlled operating routine. Authorised materials arising within the building are retained for HERU and loaded into the chamber in accordance with the prescribed operating method.
The operator works through HERU's integrated control system, following defined procedures for checking the unit, loading the chamber, closing it and starting a cycle. Routine inspection, servicing and maintenance form part of the same operating framework.
Designed around the building
Every building is different. The appropriate HERU configuration is considered against:
- The type and quantity of authorised materials arising within the building
- The building's demand for useful heat
- The building services already available
- Installation requirements
- The intended operating profile
That allows HERU to be specified as part of the building's wider infrastructure rather than considered in isolation.
Independently examined
HERU has been developed and assessed beyond the laboratory. Performance has been examined through technical trials with Severn Trent, with independent environmental and technical assessment undertaken by Ricardo.
A future where every building retains more of the value it creates.