Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain • Hacker News Board

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#11

Post by maherbeg » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:50 PM UTC

I was actually looking at heat recuperation systems for bathrooms recently and stumbled upon https://ecodrain.com/en/ - if we hadn’t already remodeled our bathrooms I’d have loved to have installed this.

For now we make do with a heat pump water heater which is very efficient.

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#12

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:52 PM UTC

[deleted] wrote: post #8

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Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#13

Post by pshc » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:52 PM UTC

convolvatron wrote: post #9

I reuse my bathwater to start a new load of laundry...that seems a lot simpler

How do you get the bath water to the laundry machine?

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#14

Post by throwaway894345 » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:53 PM UTC

convolvatron wrote: post #9

I reuse my bathwater to start a new load of laundry...that seems a lot simpler

Not if you have a frontload washer. :)

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#15

Post by pshc » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:54 PM UTC

This is a thing in some newer construction, e.g. in Vancouver BC, the Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility recovers waste heat from a wastewater treatment system to supply heating energy and hot water to mixed-use buildings.

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#16

Post by jupp0r » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:54 PM UTC

"Extra moisture in the air might cause problems with things like mold. Use your judgment. It’s probably fine as long as things don’t stay damp all the time. For many, extra humidity in the air would be welcome."

In climates like in the UK, this is a great way to create mold in your bathroom and adjacent rooms if your house is well insulated and does not have central ventilation.

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#17

Post by imhoguy » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:54 PM UTC

Or simply take shorter showers, then this system wouldn't really benefit because before the drainage pipe warms up enough to transfer any heat to cold water, you will be done. Grey water tank systems with recuperation are already known tech, but it requires extra maintenance unfortunately.

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#18

Post by fifteenforty » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:54 PM UTC

I’ve looked into installing a system like this in Australia. It only barely makes financial sense as part of a new build. Maybe in the colder UK climate it would make more, but surely not as a retrofit.

Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#19

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:54 PM UTC

sweettea wrote: post #6

Not discussed: hot water in houses increases humidity. In modern well sealed houses, that can result in unfortunate mold growth.

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Re: Re-using the heat in bathwater in Britain

#20

Post by jibbit » Sun, Oct 30, 2022, 6:55 PM UTC

yjftsjthsd-h wrote: post #10

sweettea wrote: post #6

Not discussed: hot water in houses increases humidity. In modern well sealed houses, that can result in unfortunate mold growth.

I've always experienced extremely low humidity in winter months, so I would think the net effect might be a reasonable positive if this saves me needing to run a humidifier. Am I missing some detail? Or is that just unusual?

You’re in the uk?