How to Save Water and Not Have to Wait for it to Get Hot
Loading ...Posted on: May 13, 2009
Posted in: Appliances & Gadgets, Heating & Cooling, Video, Water Conservation
From: Tim Carter / AskTheBuilder.com
Many people wait for hot water just as you do each morning. A similar thing happens when people operate other sinks, dishwashers and washing machines. Fortunately, this problem can be solved one of two ways depending upon how your plumbing system is designed. Keep in mind that the work to achieve your goal is not something the average do-it-yourselfer can tackle.
Clean water is a valuable natural resource and it should not be wasted. The trouble is, in many localities, water is a very cheap commodity. When prices are low, people tend to waste. For example, a cubic foot of water costs me just a little over 1.6 cents. There is a very good possibility that you waste less than a tenth of a cubic foot of water each morning. To prove this, assume that there is 25 linear feet of three quarter inch piping between your shower faucet and water heater. Do the math and you will find out that there is just .076 cubic feet of water inside the water pipe. To waste one dollar’s worth of water, one would have to take over 800 showers. READ MORE
NOTES & RESOURCES:
Hot Water Recirculating Pump With Timers will cost about $150 – $300
Home Depot – Recirculating Pump
Amazon.com – Recirculating Pump
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May 14th, 2009 at 3:12 am
This is a very effective way to save water. Thanks for sharing the info. Considering the present water shortage faced by many parts of the world, water conservation is very important. Here are some more tips which would help save water in and around the home: http://www.bewaterwise.com/tips01.html
hope this is useful too!
May 19th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Timer operated pumps are only effective when you always use your hot water at the same time every day, and they are an energy waster when running while not using hot water. A much more efficient method is a demand operated pump. This system uses a button or motion sensor to turn on the pump which brings hot water to the fixtures at a very fast rate, then turns off just as the hot water arrives. All the cold water is recirculated back to the water heater, saving water and energy. Link to the product http://www.gothotwater.com. I use this product and know the company well, but I have no vested interest in it.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Oh PLEASE! Just get an on-demand water heater. This isn’t a ‘Greenovation’. Dear oh dear!
November 9th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Paul – you are correct that on-demand hot water heaters are a great way to save some energy and money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an on demand heater will save you 27% – 50% compared to a conventional water heater. If you can’t afford the $1,500+ to install an on-demand heater, a 1.5 gpm showerhead will save you 40% over your 2.5 gpm showerhead (and provide the same level of comfort). Most importantly, even if you can afford a solar or on-demand heater – you can still maximize your savings (and cut your waste) by installing a 1.5 gpm showerhead. So, there’s really no excuse any more for not having a 1.5 gpm showerhead. Check out our story on low-flow showerheads.