How to Make a Low-Cost Energy Efficient Water System

What happens to all the rainwater when it rains?

All that precious resource of useable rainwater falling onto your roof is captured and directed into your downpipe before flowing into your drainage system and then, is lost forever!

With just a few simple to carry out alterations to your downpipe(s), that precious commodity could be put to a good use. It could also lower your water bills as well as improve the efficiency of your existing water system.

So how do I do it?

I hear you ask, well let me tell you.

1- A simple method of catching rainwater for use in watering your flower or vegetable garden during those hot dry summer months. By placing a water butt (or barrel), at the end of your downpipe or pipes you will have a simple method for catching rainfall. If you place a tap (or faucet) close to the bottom edge of your water catchment container you will have a simple low cost method of transferring that rainwater into a watering can or jug and are then easily able to water your beloved flowers, plants or rapidly growing vegetables during those hot dry months of summer.

2- This rainwater is also a valuable source for being used in washing, both your laundry and yourself. By fitting a simple filter system (because none of us wants to take a bath complete with washed up leaves) a simple plumbing task to add the water into your existing water system and this is another way to reduce your ever increasing water bills as well as being a very cost effective system.

3- As I said this rainwater can be plumbed into your existing hot water system, but it can also be used in the cold water system as well. How, please tell me, I hear you ask. By using this runoff water through the cold water taps (faucets) of your house (not drinking water taps), as well as being used to operate the toilet. Then it doesn't matter how often little Johnny flushes, the cost is next to nothing.

4- Now it is time to get a little more complex or not! If you are lucky enough to live somewhere tropical or even just uncomfortably hot. Then the chances are that you don't really want hot showers, warm refreshing showers are much more of a benefit in this situation. So with a little more forward planning on your rainwater catchment tank you can have constant warm showers during those hot balmy days whenever you feel the need to be refreshed. By using a metal tank, painted black to help insulate the sun's rays. Place your water catchment tank just below the level of the roof, but in a position to receive the maximum effect of direct sunlight. The water trapped inside is heated by the sun, helped to keep warm by the black metal tank and with a simple job of being plumbed into your bathroom you can have a warm refreshing shower whenever the outside temperature gets too unbearably hot, again for very little cost to you.

Sources: - personal knowledge and experience.