Water heat recycling uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat from wastewater to cold incoming water, reducing energy consumption and costs. Systems vary in design and cost, and can be retrofitted into existing structures. Preheated water reduces overall energy consumption and can be further optimized by hooking up to a gray water recycler. Grants and tax concessions may be available. The system is easy to maintain and repair.
Water heat recycling is the use of a heat exchanger to transfer heat from wastewater to cold incoming water, reducing the amount of energy required to heat water for use. This will reduce energy consumption in a building, reducing operating costs and reducing environmental impact. Systems vary in design and cost, and are often available through contractors who specialize in environmentally-friendly retrofits and the installation of new energy-saving systems.
In the process of taking showers, washing dishes, and doing other hot water tasks, hot water goes down the drain, and the energy expended to heat it is effectively wasted, as the water drains into a drainage system and disappears. With water heat recycling, water moves through a heat exchanger that wraps around an incoming cold water pipe, heating the cold water as it enters a structure. Preheated water takes less time to reach the required temperature, reducing overall energy consumption.
Many systems are equipped with a buffer tank. Without the tank, the only time heat exchange could happen would be when hot water leaves a building and cold water enters it. Homes can add further efficiency to their water heat recycling system by hooking it up to a gray water recycler, reclaiming water that can be used for irrigation, flushing toilets and similar tasks. This will reduce overall water consumption and limit the demand for fresh water.
It is possible to install a water heat recycling system into an existing structure, often leaving most of the existing plumbing intact. Grants are available in some regions to help homes become more energy efficient, and it may be possible to get financial assistance if the cost of a system is too high. There may also be tax concessions, depending on the system and the tax year. In the new design, architects can build a water heat recycling floor into the structure by installing it from scratch.
These systems are relatively easy to maintain, as they rely on plumbing that already needs to be installed; homes need pipes to carry waste water away, for example, and a short detour to a heat exchanger isn’t a major change. The system is also easy for any plumber to use. No special environmental certifications are required to make repairs or upgrades to the water heat recycling system, as it is based on basic hydraulic principles.
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