Non-Industrial
Energy Recovery
Commercial & Community Energy Solutions
In Canada, the commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential sectors contribute significantly to national energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. According to Natural Resources Canada, buildings are responsible for nearly 18% of the country’s total GHG emissions, with space heating alone accounting for over 60% of energy use within these structures. Much of this energy is lost through outdated ventilation systems, inefficient heat management, and untapped waste heat sources.
At TEHPA, we believe that high-impact energy recovery and efficiency strategies should not be limited to heavy industry. Communities, commercial property owners, real estate developers, and institutional managers all face mounting pressure to reduce energy waste, improve indoor air quality, and achieve sustainability targets without compromising occupant comfort or operating costs. By applying our proven industrial expertise to commercial and community settings, we help clients unlock hidden energy potential, reduce carbon footprints, and transform the way buildings and local energy networks operate.
Building Heat Recovery and Ventilation Systems
Commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels, and other large facilities constantly exchange indoor and outdoor air, losing valuable thermal energy with every cycle. In many cases, traditional ventilation systems discard both sensible and latent heat that could otherwise be recovered to lower heating and cooling demands. TEHPA designs tailored heat recovery solutions that capture this energy and recycle it back into the system.
Our approach goes beyond standard off-the-shelf ventilation units. We analyze the building’s existing HVAC systems, occupancy patterns, and climatic conditions to develop integrated energy recovery ventilators and heat recovery ventilators that are precisely sized and optimized. This reduces operating costs, enhances occupant comfort, and supports better indoor air quality by maintaining appropriate humidity levels and balanced airflow.
Advanced Membrane-Based ERV Cores
In our ventilation designs, we deploy advanced membrane cores that allow simultaneous heat and moisture transfer. These membranes enable the recovery of both sensible heat and humidity from exhaust air streams without cross-contaminating supply air. The result is up to 95 percent heat recovery efficiency, lower energy bills, and a healthier indoor environment. Membrane cores are durable, easy to maintain, and highly effective in Canada’s varied climate conditions, from dry winter air to humid summers.
District Energy Design and Optimization
Urban communities and campuses increasingly rely on district energy systems to share heating and cooling loads efficiently across multiple buildings. However, many of these systems still depend on outdated central plants or fail to capitalize on local waste heat opportunities. TEHPA works with municipalities, developers, and utility providers to modernize or establish new district energy networks that make the most of local resources.
Our experts conduct comprehensive feasibility studies, thermal network modeling, and economic assessments to identify practical waste heat sources, such as nearby data centers, industrial plants, or large commercial facilities. We design resilient distribution networks that balance supply and demand while integrating renewable energy sources like solar thermal or biomass to further reduce fossil fuel dependence.
Small-Scale Heat-to-Power Solutions
Many commercial and light industrial facilities generate consistent low to medium grade waste heat, which often goes unused. Laundries, bakeries, and grocery stores, for example, release significant heat through process equipment or refrigeration systems. TEHPA helps these businesses turn wasted thermal energy into a valuable source of onsite power generation.
We assess each facility’s operating conditions to determine the technical and economic viability of installing compact Organic Rankine Cycle systems or micro-turbines that convert low-temperature heat into electricity. This not only reduces electricity costs but can also create opportunities for demand-side management and revenue generation through surplus power export.
Organic Rankine Cycle and Micro-Turbine Design
Our small-scale heat-to-power systems use specialized working fluids in an Organic Rankine Cycle to efficiently capture and convert heat in the 90 to 200 degrees Celsius range. These custom-engineered units are designed to operate reliably with minimal maintenance and are integrated with existing process equipment to maximize overall system efficiency. Each installation is tailored to the client’s space constraints, heat source characteristics, and local utility regulations.
Data Center Heat Recovery
Data centers are some of the largest energy consumers per square meter, producing enormous volumes of waste heat as they cool servers and IT equipment around the clock. Instead of venting this thermal energy, forward-thinking operators can recover it and deliver it to nearby buildings or district energy networks. TEHPA provides practical solutions for data centers to turn heat that would otherwise be wasted into a resource that lowers overall energy costs and carbon emissions for surrounding communities.
Our specialists map site-specific thermal flows, quantify heat availability, and design capture and transfer systems that meet regulatory and operational requirements. This includes closed-loop water systems for efficient heat transfer as well as conditioning systems to match recovered heat to the needs of residential or commercial neighbors.
Water Loop Recovery and Membrane Gas Separation
For residential applications, we specify membrane-based energy recovery ventilators that capture both heat and humidity. These units operate in synergy with modern heat pumps and, where feasible, solar thermal collectors. The combined system significantly reduces the need for conventional heating and cooling, resulting in annual energy savings of 30 to 50 percent compared to standard systems. Our solutions are engineered to provide fresh, filtered air while minimizing energy loss, creating healthier, more sustainable living spaces.
Why Partner with TEHPA
TEHPA’s Commercial and Community Energy Solutions are built on a foundation of proven industrial expertise, scientific rigor, and a commitment to practical sustainability. Our clients trust us to deliver tailored solutions that balance performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. From the initial feasibility study to detailed design and implementation, we guide our partners through every step of the process with clear technical insight and a collaborative spirit.
As Canada works to meet ambitious climate goals, the demand for innovative heat recovery, advanced ventilation, and smart energy networks continues to grow. TEHPA stands ready to help commercial buildings, communities, and homeowners unlock their full energy-saving potential and contribute to a greener, more resilient future.
Let’s talk about what’s possible for your project. Reach out to TEHPA today to explore how our solutions can transform your building, neighborhood, or community.
