Superheat is nearly always part of the steam generation process at the industrial level, making desuperheaters a must in many industries to help remove that heat for predictable condensation to occur. Desuperheaters, though, aren’t just for industrial uses these days. Instead, they have a growing history in the world of residential applications too.

At the residential level, desuperheaters are typically called heat recovery units or heat transfer units. It takes the heat from a refrigerant line on a heat pump or central air conditioning unit, then uses it to heat water for use in the home. It’s typically only considered a supplementary heat source, though, because it can only work when the heat pump or central air unit works. Essentially, it can provide a full tank of hot water about every three hours. Even at that, though, it’s certainly worth the investment. No matter what the climate you live in, you get free hot water at some point, eliminating much of the energy you use.

Adding it to Existing Systems

Desuperheaters can certainly make your home’s heating and cooling system more efficient, and many of the newer systems do incorporate them. If yours doesn’t, though, is it worthwhile to add one? Most experts would say absolutely. It makes the system more efficient, helping to make your entire home a bit more energy efficient. The key, though, is that not all systems were built to have a desuperheater as part of the mix, so if you’re considering adding one, it’s best to consult an HVAC professional to ensure that it’s a safe add-on that will actually meet your home’s ongoing needs.