The dramatic increase of energy costs in the recent past has led to a new awareness and concern regarding energy recovery. Initially, energy waste was minimized by the use of simple methods, such as reduction of lighting levels and elimination of most exterior lighting. The overall effect of this was not negligible, but the increased cost of power and fuel has made major capital investments and process modifications cost effective for reducing energy costs, as well as assuring high investment returns and short payback periods. Energy costs will continue to rise at a high rate as a result of deregulated fuel prices and the real possibility of a phase-out of nuclear power plants due to the Three-Mile Island incident.