2.3.6 Installation of Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR) systems
Description
Drain water heat recovery units consist of coiled tubes wrapped around drain pipes that capture heat from waste water as it leaves the building. They then return the heat to the hot water system, reducing the energy required to provide hot water in the building.
Benefits
Store recovered heat for later use
Increase water heating capacity
Undersized water heater
Lower the water heating temperature without affecting the capacity
Limitations
Qualified plumbing and heating contractor to install the system
Economic assessment
Initial investment: range from 300€ to 500€. Installation will usually be less expensive in new home construction.
Paybacks range from 2.5 to 7 years, depending on how often the system is used.
References and best practices
Drainwater heat recovery performance testing at CCHT: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/pdf/65680.pdf?lang=en
CHARACTERIZATION
Environment or playable world:
Residential
Academic
Offices
All
Carried out by:
Public building users
Owners
Operators
All
Reduce consumption of:
Heating
Cooling
DHW
Lighting
Electric devices
Type of driver:
Physical environmental
Contextual
Psychological
Physiological
Social
Time framework:
- Short term
- Long term
Type of measure:
- Envelope
- HVAC
- DHW
- Lighting
- Electrical devices
- Other