The thermal efficiency of heat sources is influenced by several factors, such as technical parameters and equipment settings, the type and quality of the fuel burned, and finally, chimney loss. The most significant factors that affect thermal efficiency in the result are chimney loss and the temperature of the air sucked into the combustion chamber of the heat source. By configuring and modifying the heating device, we can influence these factors and, as a result, achieve higher thermal efficiency, reduce the production of emissions escaping into the air in the form of flue gases, and finally, reduce fuel consumption and the financial costs associated with it. This is a very effective solution from the point of view of zero-waste policies because this method offers the company a reduction in the resulting carbon footprint. The standard way to increase thermal efficiency is to use a heat exchanger, which is in the chimney part of the heat source. Heat exchangers are different, such as hot water or hot air. The disadvantage of these heat exchangers is the need for electricity, which is necessary for the function of the circulation pump. An innovative way to eliminate the need for electric energy and reduce energy and financial costs is to use a heat pipe, which can act the same as a classical heat exchanger. The heat pipe can increase thermal efficiency by up to 10%. The heat pipe offers many benefits, but an important question for the future is the price associated with installation into the heat source and maintenance costs concerning the costs saved.
Nová et al. (Thu,) studied this question.