Drain water heat recovery, does it really work?

[@Jared_Albert]

Very nice video thank you for taking the time to make it

[@Muonium1]

Doesn't piping the heat exchanger outlet directly into the cold water line to the shower induce an annoying feedback loop where the showerer has to constantly adjust the valve to maintain constant temperature since the enchager outlet water temp is constantly shifting and there's a large time delay due to the length of the exchanger pipe?

[@danielbeauchemin3958]

The water is preheated to just above room temperature. The water in the coil is at room temperature. So when you do shower, the preheated water from the ThermoDrain is at a constant room temperature and therefore no adjustments are required.

[@MrDarren5012]

If shower water is draining onto these coils directly then that would be considered a cross connection..potentially contaminating the fresh water if a leak develops..or if not directly draining over the coils and coils are wrapped around a separate pipe then the heat loss would be great along with the heat loss of preheated water cooling off on its way back to water heater and mixing with the cold water

[@ecoinnovationtechnologies1164]

We appreciate your concerns, and we want to assure you that the ThermoDrain technology undergoes rigorous testing and certification to ensure safety and efficiency. This technology holds two crucial certifications mandated by North American building codes. Firstly, it is certified by Intertek to CSA standard B55.2, guaranteeing its safety for use with potable water and eliminating any risk of cross-contamination. Therefore, the scenario you mentioned is not possible with ThermoDrain. Secondly, the efficiency of the product is verified by a third party to a CSA standard (specifically, Intertek to the CSA standard B55.2). If we claim that ThermoDrain captures 50% of the energy from the drain, it is based on rigorous testing under CSA standards. Any deviation from these parameters will impact the efficiency accordingly. We hope this explanation clarifies the reliability and effectiveness of this fascinating technology. Thank you for engaging in this discussion!

[@timp.9582]

The drain water is passing thru the drain pipe at a considerable rate, maybe faster than the cold water in the wrapped coil can absorb it? I would think restricting the drain flow to keep the hot drain water in that drain pipe for a longer time period might be better but you run the risk of the drain backing up into the shower if not balanced right.

[@danielbeauchemin3958]

Code does not allow any flow restrictions. The warm water flowing down the drain wall that is cooled by the incoming cold water creates a phenomenon where the waste water forms a film on the inside on the drain pipe thus allowing the passive heat exchange to take place.

[@timp.9582]

@@danielbeauchemin3958 I fully get the no restriction requirement, wouldn't want to risk that. But just trying to imagine here the effectiveness of the heat recovery process. In order to attain that heat transfer film, does the pipe that's wrapped with the coil have to be copper, or can it be PVC, or other matl? The one thing holding me back on doing this is the payback ROI - lots of copper, and labor but that can be saved with some sweat equity.

[@danielbeauchemin3958]

@timp.9582 copper is highly conductive. All the studies I have looked over have clearly made this technology a front runner in cost vs dollars saved. 💸

[@erikjordan4163]

is shipping to germany possible?

[@danielbeauchemin3675]

Yes

[@howardklopak628]

Seems like incomplete information to me. My biggest questions are related tot he thermal dynamics. . . meaning how long did it take to reach this state. My guess is that this is at the point in time once the unit has warmed up etc. . . In the case of short showers, or wet, then lather (with water off) and rinse, this state would never be reached. This DWHR units seem like a waste to me, unless it is a very busy household. This is mandated in Manitoba, and I can see a lot better ways to save money to save on energy.

[@ecoinnovationtechnologies1164]

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