Photovoltaics, battery storage and heat pumps have become increasingly common in new residential developments across Europe.

A Czech technology company, Electree, is now testing a different approach that pushes the idea of energy efficiency further: using waste heat from servers and computing equipment to help heat apartment buildings and provide hot water.

The company has introduced a system it describes as a computing-based boiler room. The solution, called Electree HUB 5.0, integrates servers and computing hardware into the building’s energy system.

Instead of treating the generated heat as a byproduct to be removed through cooling, the system redirects it to support heating and water heating.

A pilot installation has already been deployed in Brno, in an apartment building on Auerswaldova Street. The project includes 36 residential units, rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and a server-based heat recovery system.

The principle is straightforward. Data processing equipment produces large amounts of heat, which is typically removed and wasted through cooling systems. In this model, that energy is captured and reused within the building’s heating infrastructure.

Early results from the Brno pilot suggest energy cost reductions of around 20 to 25 percent. The company expects that future projects could increase savings to as much as 35 percent, depending on building design and system configuration.

For developers, the model adds another layer to the growing focus on operational efficiency. Lower energy consumption can make apartments more attractive to buyers, while also helping projects comply with European ESG requirements and building performance standards.

Alongside renewable generation, changes in energy management within buildings are also becoming more important. Legislative updates such as Lex OZE II have made it easier to share electricity between individual units in apartment buildings, allowing solar energy to be used more flexibly rather than only for shared spaces like corridors or lifts.

Battery storage systems and smart heat pumps with integrated storage are also becoming more widely used in new developments, supporting more stable energy management throughout the day.

Electree says it is planning to expand similar installations beyond housing projects, including industrial sites and healthcare facilities.

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