Renewable Energy News

What is rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is a water conservation system designed to store the rainwater that falls on your roof. The system works by transferring the rain water that is collected by your guttering through a filter and then into to a large storage tank. This storage tank is often buried in the ground next to the property.
This tank typically has an electric pump that pumps the water into your domestic home or commercial premises to be used for your toilets, washing machines and even drinking water.

When the system is correctly specified it can provide around 50% of the annual water requirement for a domestic home.
The benefit of using the rainwater that falls on your roof is that it enables you to reduce your metered water bill and save the energy involved with purifying and pumping of the water delivered by your mains connection.
The code for sustainable homes is also adding additional pressure on developers to utilise this type of equipment.

Who should be interested in rainwater harvesting systems?

The most common use of the stored rainwater is for toilets and washing machines this means that a typical property has a separate cold water system for drinking water and for rainwater. This inevitably means that retrofitting existing properties is often not viable.
On the other hand, self builders and developers are best positioned to utilise this technology as excavation and plumbing works can be integrated into an existing project extremely cost effectively.
Obviously retrofits are still very viable when the property is having it's complete plumbing system replaced or perhaps the conversion of an old barn.

Avid gardeners should also benefit from a rainwater harvesting system as this can help them to keep there garden green all year round, even during a hose pipe ban!

Does rainwater harvesting make sense more for commercial or domestic premises?

Both domestic and commercial properties can benefit from rainwater harvesting systems. However commercial properties often have large roof areas and a high demand for toilet flushing, fleet vehicle washing and site irrigation.
This means that while a domestic installation can provide up to 50% of the water requirements, a commercial property could utilise considerably more rainwater.

Who can supply and/or install a rainwater harvesting system?

Intelligent Energy Solutions can supply and/or install rainwater harvesting systems in domestic and commercial properties.
We are happy to discuss your requirements so please feel free to send us an e-mail or pick up the phone for an informal chat.