A heat recovery method in the manufacture of anodes in an annular anode furnace includes conveying a first partial quantity of the hot air produced in a cooling zone by the waste heat of the anodes into a heating-up zone using a first suction device. A second partial quantity of the hot air produced in the cooling zone is conveyed to a heat exchanger that is realized independently of the annular anode furnace using a second suction device. The heat transfer medium that serves for operating the heat exchanger is primarily heated with the hot air withdrawn from the cooling zone.