GOOGLESCHOLAR: Weatherization Assignment 7
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overview_7.rtfOverview
Plumbing, Fixtures, and Water Heating
Part of a weatherization service provider’s job is to help a homeowner make changes in his or her water usage to save water. This includes educating the homeowner and installing water efficient fixtures, such as showerheads and toilets.
In addition, a homeowner who is interested in saving money on energy costs may consider hiring a professional to install a rainwater harvesting system or a reclaimed water system.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you should be able to:
8A
recall the requirements of the Energy Policy Act.
8B
apply water saving techniques at the flow fixture level.
8C
evaluate which type of home water heating system is best for home applications.
Module 7 Reading Assignment
Krigger, J., & Dorsi, C. (2012). Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings (6th ed.). Helena: Saturn Resource Management, Inc. Chapter 9.
Supplemental Reading Assignments (Required):
Bilirakis, M., & Boehlert, S. L. (2000). “Water infrastructure: Water-efficient plumbing fixtures reduce water consumption and wastewater flows.” In Water Infrastructure (GAO/RCED-00-232). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, (pp. 1-45).
Dexter, J. (Series Ed.), & Coleman, K. (Vol. Ed.). (2011). Land use tools to protect groundwater: water efficiency standards (Vol. 4, No. 4). Chicago: Environmental Law & Policy Center, (pp. 1–12).
IFAS extension (2010). Water conservation tips: inside & outside the home . Macclenny: University of Florida, (pp. 1–8).
Lecture Notes
Plumbing, Fixtures, and Water Heating
Water covers 70 percent of the planet earth, but more than 97 percent is salt water and another two percent is frozen in polar ice caps. This leaves only one percent of the total water supply for use by people. Over 50 percent of the usable water is polluted. Only 0.3 percent of the planet’s total water supply is surface water found in rivers and lakes that is readily accessible and mostly useable. The remainder of the fresh water supply is found deep underground and, once removed, may take hundreds of years to be restored. Water from wells is being used far faster than it is being replenished. While fossil fuel energy sources garner a majority of the media’s attention, water promises to become a much bigger problem for humanity in only a few years.
Water Supply Problems
For bare survival, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that each person needs 0.5 to 1 gallon of water for drinking and another 1 gallon for cooking and food preparation per day. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) states that 26.4 gallons a day per person are required to maintain a reasonably good quality of life. In the United States, direct per capita daily water use is approximately four times higher than this loose standard, at about 100 gallons. When agricultural and industrial water use is included in the equation, the amount per person per day in the United States is around 1,800 gallons. A typical backyard swimming pool contains around 25,000 gallons. If an American individual were to pour 1,800 gallons of water into such a pool daily instead of using it, it would take only two weeks to fill the swimming pool.
American water consumption is extravagant because water has been considered an unlimited resource until now. Communities greatly subsidize their water supplies because of the belief that development and economic growth hinge on inexpensive and easily accessible water. In many communities, water meters are not installed and, without a meter, there is little incentive to conserve. Installing water meters is the most effective way for a community to lower its water consumption. However, many communities cannot support the water requirements of their residences and commercial buildings and, as a result, water crises are becoming more common. Anti-growth political movements use water as an effective argument against new construction.
Of all the measures that may be used to reorganize the country’s water supply problems, legislation that requires all homes and buildings to have a water meter is the most promising. Water meters, combined with a retraction of subsidies in order to raise the cost of water, could cut U.S. water consumption in half without sacrificing the quality of life. Of all the resources that are used in buildings, water is wasted the most without consequence.
In addition to supply problems, public health and hygiene are important water issues. Waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera are responsible for 80 percent of the illnesses and deaths in developing countries. In America, these problems are far less severe, but they do occur, especially in regions where water supplies are tainted because of a lack of adequate funding for good quality municipal supplies.
Energy Policy Act
In 1992, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act (EPAct), which was landmark legislation that addressed potable water. The EPAct requires all plumbing fixtures used in the United States to meet ambitious targets for reducing water consumption. Most municipal building codes now require these lower levels of consumption.
Here are the regulations:
- Water closets (toilets) are limited to 1.6 gallons per flush.
Urinals are limited to 1 gallon per flush.
Showerheads are limited to 2.5 gallons per minute.
Faucets are limited to 2.5 gallons per minute.
Metering faucets, which are those that dispense a given amount of liquid with each activation, are limited to 0.25 gallons per cycle.
While weatherizing a home does not include measures such as installing drought resistant plants for landscaping, using alternative water sources like rainwater, reclaimed water, and graywater, and other technologies that result in reduced potable water consumption, it may include the installation of low-flow fixtures. Low-flow fixtures are plumbing fixtures such as showerheads, toilets, and faucets that require minimal water flow per activation. Low-flow fixtures are discussed later in the module.
Plumbing
A house’s plumbing system is integral to its ability to provide potable water for everyday use and to dispose of used water and sewage. Potable water is suitable for drinking and cooking. Without a suitable potable water system, the health of the building occupants may be compromised. Potable water is supplied and distributed throughout a home by a system of pipes and valves known as supply piping.
Supply piping that provides potable water includes pipes, associated valves, and taps. A valve is a device that controls the flow of the liquid. A tap is a fixture that allows liquid to come out of its lines. In addition, the potable water system includes the water heater and any present water softening devices.
A tap is part of the plumbing system.
For efficient operation, piping should be as direct and straight as the architecture will allow. Piping should also be supported by hangers installed at regular distances. Piping that is not properly supported can sag or bend and can cause interruptions in the lines or problems with the water pressure in the home.
On average, 14 percent of water use in any household is due to leaks at the faucets and in the water lines. Therefore, steps should be taken to ensure that all of the dwelling’s plumbing is well-connected and sealed. Weatherization of a home’s plumbing system may include detecting poor or leaking connections and recommending that the homeowner hire a professional to repair leaks in a home’s plumbing system.
Inefficient Building Hydrologic Cycles
The typical building hydrologic cycle, which is characterized by the input of high-quality potable water and the release of used, contaminated water, is inefficient, wasteful, and illogical.
Complex and expensive systems extract potable water from surface water and groundwater sources then pump it for treatment and distribution, which requires large quantities of energy that are subsidized by the low cost of water. Wastewater must be pumped through an extensive system of sanitary sewers and lift stations to central wastewater treatment plants, which also consumes large amounts of energy. Most wastewater is not contaminated enough to merit the high levels of chemical treatment that occur in these plants and the process entails a huge amount of waste. For instance, there is a major difference between the wastewater that comes from a toilet and the wastewater from a dishwasher, but in the conventional paradigm, it is all treated the same.
Developing an Efficient Hydrologic Strategy
A realistic goal of a weatherized home is to reduce the water consumption by at least a factor of four. The main method a weatherization service provider can use to improve the home’s hydrologic strategy is to minimize the use of water for each different function that uses water in the home. This is conservation philosophy at work.
If a household can use less water, less energy is needed for the initial treating of the water by the municipality for delivery to the house, and less energy is necessary for treating graywater and blackwater at treatment plants. Graywater is water that has been used for activities such as dish washing, laundry, and bathing. Blackwater is water that is contaminated with human waste.
Fortunately, conserving water is relatively easy compared to conserving energy. Some basic ways a homeowner can save water include:
- turning off the water faucet while brushing teeth. This saves 4 to 6 gallons and there is no sacrifice in the quality of life. It is simply a matter of changing habits.
taking a ten minute shower instead of a 20 minute shower. This can save up to 50 gallons of hot water, which also saves energy.
putting a plastic bottle filled with water, marbles, or pebbles in the toilet tank. This saves over 5,000 gallons per year, per toilet.
using low-flow showerheads and faucets. This saves over 5,000 gallons per year and saves energy because less heated water is wasted.
None of these conservation measures cause a decrease in the quality of life. Water conservation is becoming more imperative and it is easy and productive.
Benefits of Water Efficiency
Energy savings. Reducing the energy needed to move, process, and treat water can save more than the actual value of the saved water itself.
Reducing water consumption results in a direct reduction of wastewater.
Designing water efficient buildings results in less cost for infrastructure to support a building’s water systems. Both the cost of water and the cost of equipment are important.
Lowering water consumption results in reduced impact on natural ecosystems.
The public favors green technologies and, consequently, efficient buildings have higher resale values.
Low-Flow Fixtures
As a result of the EPAct, domestic fixtures were redesigned to consume less water. Installing these is an easy way to include water savings in a weatherization project. Residential low-flow fixtures include toilets, showerheads, and faucets.
Toilets
Toilets are the largest water user in a house. Toilets and urinals account for nearly half of a typical building’s water consumption. Americans flush around 4.8 billion gallons of water down toilets each day.
Some older models use as much as 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) and can use as much as 7,135 gallons per year for an individual.
New toilets are required to have a maximum water use of 1.6 gpf, which reduces annual water usage to an estimated 3,760 gallons per year per person, which is almost half the previous water usage. There are even newer models that use only 1 gpf, which reduces annual water use per person to 1,928 gallons. Replacing all existing toilets with 1.6 gallon per flush models saves over 5,500 gallons per person per year and new low-flow toilets perform as well as conventional models. There are a number of new types of toilets including the:
- gravity-tank, which has steeper sides to ensure elimination of residues.
- dual-flush, which has one handle for solid wastes and one for liquid wastes. The latter uses only 1 gallon per flush.
- flushometer, which uses pressure to assist the removal of solid wastes.
- vacuum-assisted, in which wastewater is pulled from the toilet.
Flushometer toilets are almost exclusively used in commercial buildings. These toilets make a loud noise and are not generally accepted in residential applications.
Composting toilets use little to no water. The use of such toilets is very limited but can work well in some remote applications, such as a remote cabin.
Waterless urinals do not use water to flush the liquid wastes. Such devices use a special trap with lightweight, biodegradable oil that allows urine to pass through but prevents odors from escaping. The water savings with these devices can reduce a building’s total consumption by around 15 percent. However, these are almost exclusively used in commercial buildings.
Showerheads
Showerheads account for 17 percent of water use in older homes in which the homeowners do not apply any conservation measures. Conventional showerheads expel between 3 and 7 gallons of hot water per minute, which means that a 5-minute shower with a conventional head uses 15 to 35 gallons of hot, energy-intensive water.
In older versions of low-flow shower technologies, a small washer was inserted between the water supply line and the existing showerhead. These worked poorly because pressures were reduced and existing heads did not deliver the desired feeling without the proper pressures. As a result, low-flow technologies got an undeservedly bad rap from which they are still trying to recover.
Today’s low-flow showerheads are efficient and pleasant.
New low-flow showerheads deliver only 1 to 2.5 gallons per minute. Although the amount of water that moves through these fixtures has been reduced, the velocity of the water has been increased. This feature provides for a good bathing experience. A good low-flow head should be purchased as a stand-alone item in order to ensure a satisfactory shower experience. In some communities, low-flow heads are the only kind allowed.
Faucets
Faucets in kitchen and bathroom sinks account for almost 16 percent of water use. Conventional faucets deliver between 3 and 6 gallons per minute of water.
The EPAct mandates that faucets and showerheads use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). For a bathroom lavatory used primarily for hand washing and brushing teeth, a 0.5 to 1.0 gpm faucet is more than sufficient.
The amount of water that is expelled from showers and faucets can be measured using a plastic bag similar to the one pictured below.
A great way to measure and predict average water usage. New Resources Group, Inc.
Water Heaters
A water heater is an essential part of a residential plumbing system. A water heater is a device that heats water as it passes through the device and, in some cases, stores the hot water as well.
A weatherization service provider should treat water heaters with caution during the weatherization process. The water heater is under tremendous pressure and severe damage and injury can result from a malfunction.
Placement and Installation
Water heaters located in a garage must be installed on a platform with their ignition source at least 18 inches above the garage floor. Water heaters located in an attic or on a second story must be installed in a drain pan that is plumbed to the exterior.
Some states, such as California, require the water heater to be strapped, braced, or anchored to the wall. This prevents the water heater from falling over and possibly starting a fire during an earthquake.
The weatherization service provider should note any dents or unusual stains on the heater jacket or insulating blanket surrounding the heater itself. If the heater is not covered with an insulating blanket, the manufacturer’s identification plate will give information such as when the unit was built, the capacity in gallons, and the output in BTUs. This can aid in assessing the viability of the size of the water heater for the homeowner’s future use. Keep in mind the average life expectancy for a residential water heater is seven to ten years.
Once the weatherization service provider has obtained the necessary information about the water heater, he or she should wrap the water heater with an insulating blanket to minimize heat loss and save energy. Some states require water heaters to be wrapped. A weatherization service provider must be aware of state and local codes before the weatherization process begins.
Water Heater Components
Water heaters are equipped with thermostats, which are electrical circuits that open and close at a predetermined temperature. A thermostat will automatically start the heater when the temperature of the water in the storage tank falls to a predetermined level.
An important part of every water heater with a tank is the sacrificial anode. This is a metal bar, usually made of magnesium, which is installed in the water heater’s tank by the manufacturer and attracts the minerals in the water. This allows the anode to be degraded by the minerals instead of the water tank.
The cold water is delivered to the water-heating element by the dip tube. The dip tube conducts the cold water to the bottom of the tank and does not allow it to mix with the already heated water on top. The dip tube has a small hole located near the top that prevents the hot water from siphoning back during long periods of inactivity.
The water heater should be equipped with a cold-water shutoff valve on the inlet side and a drain valve at the bottom.
All new water heaters are equipped with a high-temperature shutoff and a temperature/pressure relief valve. The high-temperature shutoff automatically turns off the water heater when the water reaches its maximum allowable temperature. It can be reset on electric water heaters, but must be replaced on gas water heaters if it is used.
The temperature/pressure relief valve should be located within six inches of the top of the water heater. It is designed to open to reduce the pressure in the water heater if the preset limits are surpassed. This valve operates without warning and release scalding water and steam. For this reason, the valve should be plumbed away from the heater to a discharge point outside the building. The plumbing used to carry the discharge of the temperature/pressure relief valve should be at least the same size as the valve and should have as few bends or restrictions as possible. The pipe should terminate between six inches and 24 inches from the ground and face down. No other valves or restrictions may be placed in the line.
Types of Water Heaters
A residential water heater can be fueled by natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, or solar energy. In addition, water heaters may be tankless.
Gas-Fired and Oil-Fired Water Heaters
Gas-fired water heaters, like all other gas-fired appliances, need an uninterrupted supply of combustion air. Combustion air is the air that is combined with natural gas to produce a flame and heat the water in a water heater. Water heaters located in a confined space such as a closet must have a vent that is big enough to allow in the proper amount of combustion air. The minimum requirement for this vent is 1 square inch of opening per 1,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour of water heating capacity.
Gas-fired or older oil-fired water heaters use a burner at the bottom of the tank core to create the heat needed to warm the water. In normal operation of a gas water heater, the pilot flame acts on a thermo-couple to induce a current in the solenoid, which is a coil of wire. This energizes the solenoid, which allows the main gas valve to open. The exhaust from the burner travels up the central cylinder of the core, or heat exchanger, and gives off the heat to warm the water in the tank. The exhaust then travels out the top of the water heater tank to vent connectors that carry the exhaust out of the home. There are a number of fail-safe mechanisms built into the system that automatically shut off the gas supply if any failure of the heater is detected.
A gas heater in a basement.
Water heaters that use a burner fueled by either gas or oil must be adequately vented to the outside air. Failure to provide sufficient exhaust ducting can result in carbon monoxide gas being introduced into the living space. For efficient operation, the exhaust flue should be as short and straight as possible. Since many water heaters are located in the garage or lower floor of the house, the exhaust gas is usually vented to an outside wall rather than the roof. Horizontal duct runs should pitch up at the rate of 1/4 inch per foot. If the water heater vent is connected to the furnace exhaust system, there should be a Y-connection, not a T-connection.
A weatherization service provider should be careful when determining where the flue terminates outside the building. The flue should not be easily blocked by ice, snow, falling leaves, or other debris. It should not be placed where it can be reached by small children. The weatherization service provider should verify that the flue is properly constructed, installed, and free from obstructions and corrosion so that it will work efficiently and as it was intended to function.
In some cases when the demand venting needs to be changed, a power vent is installed on the water heater’s vent pipe. This type of vent uses 110 volts of electric power to open or close the vent depending on the demand of the water heater. The power vent should be located within five feet of the water heater and the flue must be dedicated to the water heater only.
All gas-fired water heaters develop condensation when the tank is filled with cold water and the burner is on. This condensation drips onto the burner and causes a sizzling sound. This condensation sizzle is often mistaken for a leaky water heater. If poor venting causes excessive condensation, it can contribute to other problems. Some of these problems include frequent extinguishing of the pilot light and premature corrosion of the burner area.
Electric Water Heaters
Many water heaters use electricity to heat water. Electric water heaters have no core in the middle and no burner, which means no heat exchanger or venting is needed. An electric water heater generally has an upper and lower heating element and each is controlled by a separate thermostat. For efficient operation, these thermostats should be set to the same temperature.
Usually, the two elements do not run at the same time but this is not absolute. Some units are simple and have temperature settings to make both elements run at the same time.
Solar-Powered Water Heaters
In certain parts of the country, solar energy is being used more often as a way to generate hot water. While the initial equipment expense is considerably greater, there is no monthly fuel bill to contend with after the original installation.
The basic parts of a solar water heating system are a heat collector, a storage tank, and a pumping system to move the water from collector to storage tank. The two types of solar energy collectors available are concentrating collectors and flat plate collectors.
The concentrating collector uses concave mirrors to focus the sun’s energy on a collector pipe. This system can generate very high temperatures but requires transfer chemicals and an expensive tracking mechanism to keep the mirrors aligned with the sun.
Flat plate collectors are fixed facing south and often mounted at the same angle as the roof, which is frequently within the recommended angle of tilt. Flat plate collectors use direct and reflected solar energy and, since they do not require an expensive tracking device, they are considerably less expensive than the concentrating solar systems. Flat plate collectors are available in a wide range of sizes and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds each. Because of this weight, the roof may have to be reinforced to carry the load.
In solar water heaters, the heat energy of the sun is used to heat the water itself as it passes through pipes located on the roof or a glycol solution, which in turn heats water in a heat exchanger. All systems use an arrangement of thermistors and check valves to prevent siphoning hot water back to the roof during cooler temperatures. A thermistor is a semiconductor with electrical resistance that varies with temperature.
Since it is impossible to regulate the sun’s energy at the source, a tempering valve is used to introduce cold water into the system to prevent the water from becoming too hot. The key to an efficient installation is adequate insulation of all the piping used to transport the heated water or the glycol solution.
Tankless Water Heaters
In some cases, instant or tankless water heaters may be present or installed. Tankless water heaters warm water only when there is a demand for hot water. Larger tankless units may be centrally located and service the entire home. Smaller units can be installed near the use of the hot water.
Tankless water heaters do not waste energy like tanked water heaters do because they do not expend energy to keep large volumes of water heated while the heater is on standby. The drawback to this type of water heater is that it cannot supply enough hot water for two major hot water uses at once. For this reason, these heaters are normally used in low volume applications, such as in campers and guest quarters.
Water Heater Ratings
Water heaters are rated by the energy factor, which accounts for energy losses due to the heating process, a pilot light if applicable, and standby losses. The energy factor (EF) is the measure of overall efficiency for a variety of appliances and was discussed in Module 6. For water heaters, the energy factor is based on three factors: 1) the recovery efficiency, or how efficiently the heat from the energy source is transferred to the water, 2) stand-by losses, or the percentage of heat lost per hour from the stored water compared to the content of the water, and 3) cycling losses.
Water heaters are also rated using a standard called recovery rate. The recovery rate is the rate at which water can be heated from 50°F to 140°F. The current standard for hot water is 120°F to eliminate scalding and heat related burn injuries from hot water.
Rainwater Harvesting
Although rainwater harvesting is not generally included in weatherization programs under the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, a homeowner who is in the process of retrofitting his or her home to be weatherized and more efficient may consider hiring a professional to install a rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater harvesting entails the collection, storage, and use of rainwater for appropriate purposes. Rainwater harvesting has historically been a crucial source of water throughout the world and is still necessary in many places. The advent of centralized water purification and distribution systems has caused the disappearance of rainwater harvesting in the United States. However, that trend is now being reversed because rainwater harvesting is becoming an important component of efficient buildings.
Three main factors that are influencing the increased use of rainwater include:
- the escalating costs associated with providing potable water to buildings.
health concerns about potable water supplies.
cost efficiency associated with rainwater use.
In most systems, the roof is used to collect rainwater in suitable, sealed containers that prevent evaporative losses. This source is ideal for landscaping because it only requires minimal filtering to keep feed lines free of debris. With more extensive filtering, rainwater is usable for potable needs such as drinking and cooking. The collection of rainwater reduces pressure on municipal water supplies and reduces stormwater runoff and flooding during storms. In some cases, rainwater is actually a better source of potable water than municipal supplies.
Rainwater harvesting systems are cost effective in regions where the average rain fall is high or in regions where the cost of water is very high. It is also cost effective in areas where there is no municipal supply of water or a very erratic supply of water. However, they are not helpful in areas where average rainfall is very low. For example, it is very difficult to justify the installation of a rainwater harvesting system in Arizona.
Components of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Components of a rainwater system include:
- catchments.
roof wash systems.
filtration systems.
rainwater conveyance systems.
cisterns.
water delivery systems.
water treatment systems.
Catchments
Usually, a catchment is a building’s roof systems. The best roofs are those that do not support the growth of algae, moss, etc; are fairly smooth so that contaminants are quickly washed away; and have a minimum of overhanging tree branches that can drop leaves and other organic debris into the water. The best roofing material for a rainwater harvesting system is galvanized metal because it is smooth and impermeable.
Roof Wash Systems
Roof wash systems keep dust and debris out of the water supply. The best roof wash systems discard the first rain wash of the season because it is full of dirt and debris that have adhered to the roof. Such systems begin to collect when the water supply is relatively uncontaminated. This is best accomplished through appropriate valve systems that divert the first rain wash.
Filtration Systems
Filtration systems remove debris as required. Filters come in different porosity ratings to remove debris of certain sizes. Leaf guards have a high porosity and keep leaves and twigs out of the water supply. Stainless steel filters have small drilled holes that keep smaller particles out of the building’s water supply. More extensive filtering systems are available, but equipment and maintenance costs are considerably higher.
Rainwater Conveyance Systems and Cisterns
Rainwater conveyance systems include the gutters, downspouts, and piping used to channel the water from the roof to the storage cistern. This may be as simple as putting a big wooden barrel beneath a gutter. More complex schemes can offer greater return on investment.
Cisterns store rainwater and usually comprise the highest cost of any rainwater capture system. The stored water can be used to flush toilets or water the landscaping. Galvanized steel is the most preferred material used to make a cistern, closely followed by concrete, fiberglass, polyethylene, and durable wood. Wood cisterns are prone to pathogen buildup and are rarely used. Light is kept out of the cistern to prevent algae growth and proliferation. A cistern must be easily accessible because it is necessary to monitor the water periodically in order to ensure integrity.
Water Delivery Systems
A water delivery system is used to channel the stored water from the cistern into the building’s plumbing system. The most energy efficient method of delivery is to use gravity. In such installations, the cistern is located above the building and, when a faucet is opened, the water flows as a result of gravity rather than active pumping. However, this may necessitate pumping water up into the cistern and may not be cost effective. Gravity systems work when a building’s power is interrupted and the pumps are not working. Gravity systems are used extensively in remote cabins and other sites where a constant source of municipal power is not available.
Water Treatment System
Water treatment systems may be needed to ensure a certain quality source of water. To a great extent, this depends on the application. Generally, a 5-micron filter is used. A micron is a thousandth of an inch. More extensive treatment may be needed, such as ultraviolet sterilization, reverse osmosis, and ozonation. Reverse osmosis is a high-tech filtering methodology. The most efficient way to incorporate water treatment is to perform it only when it is needed, such as for a single faucet that is outfitted with highly selective filtering.
Reclaimed Water Systems
Reclaimed water is obtained at the end of the wastewater treatment process and may be used for nonpotable purposes such as landscaping, cooling towers, and toilet flushing. Municipal wastewater use accounts for about 4.8 billion gallons per day or around one percent of freshwater consumption. This water would be wasted otherwise.
A modern wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has three stages of treatment: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Each phase requires a greater use of energy and capital equipment. It is possible to tap reclaimed wastewater from each phase of the process and, if wastewater can be used from the primary phase, the cost can be very low.
The cost of reclaimed water can be around one seventh the cost of pure water, but this depends on the source of the reclaimed water. In communities that have the necessary infrastructure in place, reclaimed wastewater makes a great deal of economic sense. Of all the potential means of conserving water, the widespread use of reclaimed water holds the highest promise.
Great care must be taken to ensure that reclaimed water never enters the potable water supply. A reclaimed water line in a house should be a different color than the potable water line. Coloring the different pipes and valves in each type of system helps ensure that the potable water will not be contaminated.
Required Videos:
The structures plumbing design and domestic water supply system is an essential part of water conservation and assisting in making the building more energy conscience to its building occupant’s. By laying out a more efficient hot and cold water delivery system will allow the occupant’s to conserve on excess water use and to lower energy costs within the structure. We can also incorporate gray water and rain water reclamation systems into our structures design in order to take advanced of these collected water reserves for non-potable water use applications. The following YouTube video presentations will provide you with valuable information on the concepts of evaluating and designing efficient plumbing systems for water and energy conservation.
Water conservation – impact of residential plumbing system design - Part 1
Water conservation – impact of residential plumbing system design - Part 2
Water conservation – impact of residential plumbing system design - Part 3
Required Presentations:
