Using a Rainwater Harvesting System for your home
Rain, rain… maybe don’t go away?
Now in the UK we all know that it feels like it rains like 90% of the year but we can actually use this to our advantage when it comes to our homes. We’ve already talked about a couple of things that can aid with sustainability and costs but this one may take a bit more thought than just plonking a solar panel on your roof.
Rainwater harvesting systems in the UK are probably more prominently used on large commercial buildings however if you are in the process of a major revamp or building your home it is definitely something to consider!
This system in the simplest terms, essentially works by collecting rainwater that falls onto the roof of your house and collecting it in a tank. From here the water is filtered as needed and can then be used for radiators, underfloor heating and toilets in your home. It was also be rerouted as an irrigation system to water your garden.
See the short video below by Rainwater Harvesting Ltd. for more information…
Now that is a very simplified explanation and as you get down to the details you can begin to understand why the system itself is more complicated to install. For example to gain the most cost savings on your water bill you would want to conserve as much water as possible, therefore would need a large storage tank. This is just something a lot of UK houses, especially in cities with limited land, can’t afford to do. However if used correctly you could save approx. 50% of your water bill!
Here’s some website resources if this has got you thinking:
Sounds like a pretty good idea to me and if it can be combined with the installation of other sustainable ideas such as solar power then you’re well on your way to helping the environment and your monthly bills!
Let me know in the comments below or by email about what sustainable element you want to hear more about next!