Goss is making its Ecobox thermal energy recovery system enhancement available to heatset printers worldwide, promising printing facilities the opportunity of reducing energy consumption significantly. Water circulating through the system is heated by exhaust air from the dryer, and can be used directly or converted to replace or supplement energy required for heating, air conditioning and other systems. "The Ecobox enhancement is simple to install and delivers immediate environmental and economic benefits," Goss International US sales vice president Graham Trevett says. "Printers can cut energy requirements considerably, reducing their costs and their carbon footprint at the same time." Trevett says, on average, energy generated offsets the cost of an Ecobox system installation in 18 months in typical heatset web printing operations. The return on investment is even faster with larger dryers. The Ecobox is compatible with dryers equipped with integrated afterburners, including Goss’s Ecocool T and Ecotherm models. The compact device mounts on the dryer, with no additional floor space required, and press downtime for installation is minimal. The default temperature of the heated water exiting the system is 95 degrees Celsius and can be adjusted. Excess or unneeded heat from the dryer can be exhausted directly through a bypass valve. Goss has installed Ecobox systems in Europe, where printers have used recovered energy for heating, air conditioning and a variety of other purposes ranging from hot water for the building's plumbing system to heating parking lots for snow and ice removal. Some have also sold the energy to nearby facilities. "With the increased emphasis on greener operations, we are now seeing a significant interest in this technology in North America," Trevett says.