What is it?
Since before Roman times, rainwater has been stored for later use. The modern take on this is to increase the convenience and quality of the stored water and use it to flush toilets, water plants, or any other non-drinking usage.
How does it work?
Most RWH systems utilise existing guttering and pipework to collect fallen rain from building roofs, remove leaves and other debris and store it in a tank for later use. More advanced systems will incorporate a pump to automatically supply water for use in the home.
Are they environmentally friendly?
Approximately 90% of the UK drinking water supply is not used for drinking. The complex and expensive processes undergone by this water mean that unnecessary purification contributes to your carbon footprint and increases your costs.
Rainwater harvesting is becoming an important environmental criterion. The EcoHomes rating system addresses all aspects of reducing potable (drinking) water demand in a dwelling.
Will it save me money?
Money savings vary depending on the amount of rainwater you collect and the cost of water in your area. If you are on a water meter, you will see large savings in mains water usage and the costs associated with this. Payback can be as low as 2-5 years for commercial systems and between 10-15 years for domestic systems.
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