Storage Flue Gas Heat Recovery Systems SFGHRS
A Storage Flue Gas Heat Recovery Systems (SFGHRS) is a type of flue gas recovery system (FGRS), or more accurately flue gas heat recovery system (FGHRS) that capture and reuse waste heat from exhaust flue gases, these are used to preheat water or other fluids, improving energy efficiency by reducing demand and thus reducing emissions. If the FGHRS contains a volume of water (or condensate), it is known as a Storage Flue Gas Heat Recovery System (SFGHRS).
The UK government document "Review of the methodology for FGHRS in SAP. Final report" describes the systems thus:
"In such devices the store of water is heated by the flue gases via the heat exchanger. This volume of water may be contained in the same unit around the flue, or in a cylinder next to the primary FGHRS unit. The store may be insulated, depending on the store location and the manufacturer’s design. SFGHRS can transfer heat either when the boiler is operating in hot water mode or when the boiler is operating in space heating mode. When the boiler is operating in hot water mode the transfer of heat takes place directly from the flue gas to the incoming water.
"When the boiler is operating in space heating mode the energy must be stored and transferred at a later time, when the boiler switches over to DHW mode. This can either be achieved by residual heat in the body of the FGHRS, or more often via the stored water (acting as a thermal store) within the SFGHRS. The savings that are achieved through the transfer of heat directly to the incoming cold water are known as direct savings and the savings that can be transferred from the flue gas, via an internal store and then to the incoming cold water are known as deferred (or indirect) savings. SFGHRS can provide both direct energy savings and deferred savings whilst Instantaneous FGHRS (IFGHRS) provides predominantly direct savings (although there are still some indirect savings from the water and metal work comprising the IFGHRS)."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air conditioning.
- Back boiler.
- Biomass boiler.
- Boiler efficiency.
- Boiler.
- Carbon monoxide.
- CHP boiler.
- Coefficient of Performance CoP.
- Combustion appliance.
- Combination boiler.
- Condensing boiler.
- District energy.
- Domestic micro-generation.
- Exhaust air heat pump.
- Fluepipe.
- Geothermal pile foundations.
- Gross calorific value.
- Heat exchanger.
- Heat interface units.
- Heat pump.
- Heat recovery ventilation.
- Heat recovery for buildings.
- Heat source.
- Hot water.
- Heating.
- HVAC.
- Mechanical ventilation.
- Mechanical ventilation's role in improving indoor air quality.
- Refrigerants.
- Tempering heating.
- Types of boiler.
- Types of heating system.
- Types of heat exchanger.
- Variable refrigerant flow.
- Waste heat.
- Waste water.
- Zero Bills Home.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.




















