Drain water heat recovery (DWHR) systems can save homes on their energy bills, Forbes reports.
Water heating accounts for approximately 20 to 30 percent of household energy demand. Much of the energy is expended warming the water coming into the shower and other areas of the house. By transferring some of the heat from the drain water to the incoming water through a heat exchanger, reduced energy is required. A significant portion of the heat from the drainwater is efficiently transferred to the incoming water with no energy use. By reducing the demand on the water heater, this also allows for increased capacity of the tank.
This is achieved by a variety of systems called Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR). As warm water flows from your shower down the waste drain on its way to sewer, the DWHR device uses heat exchange to transfer the heat to an incoming flow of cold water headed towards the water heater.
These systems generally work on tank water heaters as well as on-demand ones. They are particularly popular in Canada and northern areas of the United States where the ground water is very cold.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Sustainability
Mention of Eco-Friendly Home Features Is on the Rise in Sales Listings
Home listing descriptions using eco-friendly terms have been rising over the past five years in line with growing consumer interest in the environment and energy efficiency
Construction
5 Steps to Cracking the Code for a High-Performance Home
As a model of energy savings, water conservation, indoor comfort and health, and use of on-site renewable energy, The New American Home 2024 offers valuable lessons
Sustainability
Which Green Building Practices Are Home Builders Using Most?
A recent report reveals which green-building practices are most popular among single-family home builders and remodelers