If you've ever watched tap or shower water run down the drain while you wait for it to warm up and thought 'there has to be a better way' then I bring news. There is a better way. The Enviro Save Water System is designed in Australia, you can fit it to new or existing plumbing, and in ensures that the first drop of water from your hot water tap will be the right temperature.
How does it work? The system automatically diverts the water which has cooled in the hot water pipes and sends it back into your cold water line or rainwater tank so you can save and reuse the otherwise wasted water.
Read More: Enviro Save Water Systems
(images: 1. Sarah Starkey 2. Enviro)
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Finally! Brilliant!
Tankless water heaters have been on the market for a few years and are perhaps a better option for homeowners as they conserve energy as well as water. Basically, they don't heat water until you need it (so you're not paying to heat a tank of water 24/7)
Currently, they are a bit cost prohibitive but that will change as they increase in popularity & production. It may take a few years but they will eventually pay for themselves in energy savings.
Just something to consider if one is planning to build..
We put in a tankless water heater when our older one was getting flaky. It's great, in that we never run out of hot water, even when relatives are visiting and everybody wants a long, hot shower. But you still have to run the cold water through the pipes before the limitless hot water arrives. A system like this, if it runs automatically, would make any water heater less efficient, because it requires extra bursts of hot water to refill the pipes. But if I could push a button before showering that would pump all the cold water to someplace useful, that would be slick.
My main reason for admiring the system is recycling of water, and reduced costs. I'd love to put in a tankless water heater, but I'd either have to upgrade my electrical or have a new gas line run. Either option puts a tankless in the $3000-4000 range in my area - that's the average of several contractors. An option that for something that costs 10% of that is very attractive.