Last Updated: Nov 30, 2023
Drain Water Heat Recovery System - another fancy and long-winded title for a special plumbing fixture that helps you save on heating your hot water - a huge contributor to your utility bill (~30%).
It doesn't look fancy, and most of the time, it'll be hidden behind walls, but this little guy helps in big ways by attaching to your home's central drainage system and taking as much of the heat from the wastewater as possible. The captured heat from the pipe's coils is then transferred back into your water line, making things easier on your hot water heater.
A Drain Water Heat Recovery System is a durable, long-term solution that requires no maintenance, and can save you up to 40% on your water heating costs. The best part is, it's a fairly economical solution with quick payback. Price for one of these systems ranges from $650 to $950, with an average payback of 2 to 6 years.
If you want even more bang for your buck, and your budget isn't quite as lofty, a simple change to a Low-Flow Showerhead can give you some similar benefits (save actual water, but not on heating that water).
Resources: energy.gov, cmhc-schl.gc.ca
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