Country: Slovakia
Focus area:Green
Thematic area:
Waste reduction and Recycling Technology , Energy-Efficient Technologies
TRL phase: TRL 9 - actual system launched on the market (System launched)
Addressed business processes: CUSTOMER CUSTOMER SERVICE process , TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT process , INFRASTRUCTURE process
Solution overview
"The ERcuper systems recover “waste” heat that already exists in a building’s environment and would otherwise be lost.
ERcuper Water captures heat from domestic wastewater (e.g., showers, dishwashers, washing machines) in the sewer line and uses it to prepare hot water—potentially covering up to 100 % of a building’s hot-water demand.
ERcuper Air extracts heat from exhaust (ventilation) air—such as bathroom or kitchen exhaust—and either preheats fresh water or provides supplementary heating during colder months.
Together, these systems reduce the energy needed for hot-water preparation by up to 90 % and heating energy by 30 %–60 %. They target multifamily residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, dormitories, swimming pools, and similar structures where centralized heat costs represent a major expense. By deploying ERcuper solutions, property owners and managers drastically cut energy bills and CO₂ emissions without installing a conventional boiler or heat pump."
Key features
"Dual‐Source Heat Recovery: Simultaneously harnesses both wastewater heat (via ERcuper Water) and ventilation‐air heat (via ERcuper Air), allowing continuous hot‐water production and supplemental heating without fossil‐fuel combustion.
Minimal Footprint: The entire ERcuper Water unit typically requires only about 20 m² of basement space; larger buildings simply scale by allocating more room.
No New Heat Source: Complies with Slovak regulations by not creating a standalone boiler—since it recovers already‐paid‐for heat, it sidesteps the approvals required for new heat plants.
Guaranteed ROI: Free, no‐obligation ROI calculations (via online calculator or direct consultation) demonstrate payback often within 2 years, because owners immediately benefit from drastically lower energy bills.
Award‐Winning Innovation: Winner of “Innovative Deed of the Year 2019” by the Slovak Ministry of Economy, validating both environmental and economic performance. "
Integration and adaptability in manufacturing environments
"Integration Ease: ERcuper modules are designed to retrofit into existing piping and ventilation layouts. No major structural changes are needed—installers tap into the sewer line for ERcuper Water and ductwork for ERcuper Air.
Customization: Each project begins with a free on‐site assessment to size the heat‐exchanger modules according to a building’s occupancy, number of water outlets, and seasonal heating loads. Systems can be configured to prioritize hot‐water production in summer and shift surplus heat to radiators or underfloor loops in winter.
Compatibility: ERcuper Water pairs with virtually any hot‐water distribution network (e.g., existing boilers, storage tanks, central heat sources) because it preheats or fully replaces the primary heat input. ERcuper Air connects to standard mechanical‐ventilation fans and duct systems found in multifamily and commercial buildings. "
Implementation support and training for manufacturers
"Free Feasibility Study & ROI Calculation: Prior to contract, Energia REAL provides an online “kalkulačka” (calculator) or a personalized proposal that shows projected energy savings and payback period.
Detailed Project Design: Ing. Ján Šmelík and his engineering team produce full technical drawings, select modules, and handle all permitting—so that no boiler permits are needed (since the system recovers, rather than produces, heat).
Turnkey Installation: Under the supervision of Peter Štefanco, specialist technicians install sensors, heat‐exchange units, pumps, and tie‐ins to existing hot‐water and heat distribution loops. Typical basement footprint is 20 m², easily adaptable to most buildings.
Training: Property managers and maintenance staff receive on‐site training covering system operation, basic troubleshooting, and adjustment of bypass valves or flow rates. Remote video tutorials and a digital knowledge base in both Slovak and English are available.
Post‐Installation Service & Monitoring: Radoslav Ivanič and Monika Páleníková coordinate regular checkups, sensor calibrations, and performance tuning. Optional service contracts provide 24/7 technical support, yearly maintenance, and remote monitoring to ensure performance does not drift over time."
Sustainability, compliance and certifications in the EU
As a heat‐recovery device (not a new boiler), ERcuper systems bypass the stringent requirements for standalone heat sources—fully aligned with Slovak building and energy codes. Environmental Impact: By recovering heat that would otherwise be lost, these systems reduce CO₂ emissions by over 95 % per cubic meter of hot water (for example, from ~76 kg CO₂/m³ down to ~3 kg CO₂/m³ in the Boženy Němcovej project). Accolades: Awarded 1st place in the “Technological Innovation” category of “Innovative Deed of the Year 2019” by the Slovak Ministry of Economy, confirming both sustainability and performance.
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