Save Water System by recirculation
Water is one of the most valuable resources on our planet, and yet it’s often wasted unnecessarily in our homes.
While global initiatives are working toward sustainable solutions, there’re practical steps that individuals can take in their everyday lives to conserve water.
One of these is through warming up the water left in the tubes by a simple recirculating system.
This innovative technology solves a common issue in every home: the litres of water wasted while waiting for hot water to reach the shower head.
For residents of Barcelona city and the surrounding region of Catalunya, this issue takes on added urgency.
Barcelona city has the most expensive water rate in Spain, with prices exceeding €3 per cubic meter of water.
In fact, water in Barcelona costs more than twice the national average, making it one of the most costly cities for water usage in the entire country.
Besides that, this financial challenge is made worse during the times of drought, when water restrictions and scarcity.
In 2023, Catalunya faced one of its worst droughts in decades, which lasted for almost an entire year.
Reservoir levels dropped to critically low levels, and severe restrictions were imposed to limit water usage in both urban and rural areas.
The drought served as a stark reminder of the fragility of the region’s water supply and the need for better water management practices.
In this context, a water recirculating system is not just a convenience; it’s an essential tool to reduce water waste, lower household expenses, and mitigate the impact of water scarcity on the environment.
May you don’t know us yet, let’s have a quick introduction: we’re ERA architects.
Actually, I’m Esther Rovira, architect and passive house designer in Barcelona and Catalonia building and renovating passive houses and positive houses.
In this post ‘Save Water System by recirculation’, we’ll explore how the water recirculating system works, how much water and money it can save, and the numerous advantages of incorporating it into your home. We’ll also discuss the cost considerations to give you a complete overview of this remarkable and affordable technology and how it can benefit you, especially if you live in a region like Catalunya where water conservation is becoming increasingly crucial.
Let’s start!
How it works?
The save water by recirculation system is designed to prevent water waste by recapturing cold water in pipes and rerouting it back into your plumbing system.
This process allows hot water to reach your faucet without delay, ensuring that no cold water is wasted while waiting for the hot water to arrive.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the system works:
- Initiate hot water flow: When you turn on a hot water tap or shower, instead of letting cold water flow down the drain while waiting for it to heat up, you close tha faucet again and the system activates.
- Recirculation process starts: A pump connected to your water heater activates, pushing the unused cold water from the water pipes back into the water heater’s tank.
- Reached temperature notice: The system monitors water temperature using built-in sensors. Once the water in the pipes reaches the desired hot temperature, the pump shuts off automatically to prevent overheating and ensure efficiency. Also gives a ‘beep’ sound so you know the hot water is awaiting for you in the shower head. You may also open any other faucet to check the water temperature. This is handy since if you are in summer maybe you don’t need the water at 35º, but 27º is good enough for you to jup in the shower.
- Jump in shower: As you are in the shower and turn on the faucet, hot water comes straight out from the shower head. Now you are ready to sing too!
This simple but effective mechanism ensures that hot water is available inmediatly, reducing water waste and saving both time, resources and money.
How Much it Saves
Water scarcity is a growing concern.
The save water recirculating system addresses this issue by drastically reducing the amount of water that is wasted in our homes.
Water Savings
Let me tell you as informational note that a shower of 5 minutes takes 90 litres of water. Considering a 15 minutes shower, that’s 240 litres.
When considering the waste amount while waiting, the average is between 8 to 20 litres of water every time someone runs the shower tap and waits for hot water to arrive.
This can add up to thousands of litres per year in a single household. In areas with high water usage or during peak times, this figure can be even higher.
With a water recirculating system, you no longer have to waste water while waiting for the temperature to adjust.
A family of four can save around 20,000 litres of water every year.
This is especially important in areas facing droughts or where water restrictions are in place, making this system not just a convenience but necessary.
Money Savings
Water conservation is directly linked to cost savings.
By preventing water from going down the drain, homeowners can expect to see reductions in their water bills.
The exact savings depend on local water prices, pipe types and installtion type. However house owners that use this system can expect to save between €100 and €400 annually on their water bills (depending on how many people live in the house). In regions where water rates are higher, these savings can be even more substantial.
Besides, a water recirculating system also helps conserve energy.
The pump circulates water back to the heater rather than letting it cool and refilling with cold water, reducing the energy required to reheat water.
This energy efficiency can translate into savings on utility bills, making the system beneficial in more ways than one.
Advantages
The water recirculating system is not just about savings; it also offers various benefits.
1. Easy to Install
One of the biggest advantages of the water recirculating system is how easy it is to install.
Many systems are designed with convenience in mind, requiring minimal plumbing work.
Some models are simple enough to install without the help of a professional plumber, though others might require more extensive integration into your plumbing system.
For on-demand versions, installation typically involves placing a pump near the water heater and connecting valves to your sink.
Most systems come with clear installation instructions, and if you’re comfortable with basic DIY tasks, it’s possible to get the system up and running in just a few hours.
2. No More Waiting for Hot Water
Perhaps the most immediate benefit of the water recirculating system is the convenience it offers.
You’ll no longer need to stand around waiting for hot water to arrive when you turn on the tap or shower.
This not only saves water but also enhances your daily comfort, especially if you live in a large home where the water has to travel a long distance from the heater to the tap.
3. Eco-Friendly Choice
The environmental benefits of this system cannot be overstated.
By conserving thousands of litres of water each year, the water recirculating system reduces the strain on local water supplies.
It also reduces energy consumption, as less water needs to be heated.
This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
Moreover, with the growing concern over climate change and the need for sustainable living practices, adopting technologies like this one allows individuals to play an active role in protecting natural resources. In the long run, small changes in our daily water usage can contribute to larger conservation efforts.
4. Reduces Strain on Water Heaters
Another added advantage is that this system can extend the life of your water heater.
By recirculating water instead of drawing cold water into the heater, the system prevents unnecessary strain on the appliance.
Over time, this can reduce wear and tear, potentially saving you money on maintenance or replacement costs for your water heater.
5. Adaptable to Different Home Setups
The water recirculating system can be adapted to different home layouts.
Whether you live in a small apartment or a large multi-story house, there are models designed to suit a variety of plumbing configurations.
Systems with temperature sensors can be especially useful in larger homes, as they help regulate water usage efficiently across multiple outlets.
Price
When considering whether to invest in a water recirculating system, it’s important to take into account both the upfront costs and the long-term savings.
Initial Costs
The price of a water recirculating system can vary depending on the model and complexity of installation.
Basic systems designed for single outlets may cost between €300 and €500 (depending on the model)(price estimate 2024).
Installation costs should also be considered if you require professional help.
Long-Term Savings
While the initial investment might seem high, the long-term savings can make it a worthwhile purchase.
As mentioned earlier, households can save significant amounts of water and reduce energy bills by using less water and heating it more efficiently.
If you live in an area with high water rates like Barcelona city or where drought conditions are common (like Catalunya), the savings will pay for the cost of the system within a 2 years (1 if you’re a family of 4 to 6).
Besides, if you value the extended lifespan of your water heater and the reduced need for repairs or replacements, the system proves to be a smart financial decision.
Conclusion
The save water recirculating system represents a practical and effective solution to a widespread problem: the waste of water while waiting for hot water to reach the tap.
By recapturing and reusing water left in the pipes, the system helps homeowners save thousands of litres of water each year, translating into significant savings on water bills.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, the system is easy to install, offers convenience, and extends the lifespan on water heaters.
Whether you’re looking to make a sustainable choice for the environment or simply want to reduce your utility bills, the water recirculating system is an investment worth considering.
It’s a small change that can make a big impact, both in terms of household comfort and environmental conservation.
As water conservation becomes increasingly critical, technologies like this one provide a simple yet powerful way for individuals to contribute to global sustainability effort
I hope this post ‘Save Water System by recirculation’ is helpful and allows you to take the next small step.
You may also be interested in the post ‘Rainwater harvest in Spain and price‘ or maybe get the price of other energy upgrades using our free Positive Home Calculator for Barcelona renovations.
If you’re ready to buy this system for less than 500€ shipped to your home; please fill in this form so we can send you your personalized quoting with our professional discount.
Did we miss anything? Any burning questions? No problem, leave your questions below in the comments and we will answer to keep helping you!
Best of luck on your buying property adventure.
See you on the next post,
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