Saving energy and saving money is important these days.  EcoDrain helps you accomplish both simply by taking a shower.  Energy lost as your hot shower water drains away, is captured by EcoDrain.

EcoDrain is a Canadian company that designs and markets systems to recapture waste heat from drains.  Although the company has only been around since 2005, it has developed a product for capturing heat lost when hot shower water flows down the drain.

The Web site is not quite finished, but there are two versions of the system.  Because the plumbing in houses varies, both horizontal and vertical versions of the system have been developed.

The EcoDrain system works by incorporating channels within the system.  The sealed channels exchange heat.  Because the system has both fresh and waste water running through it, it has a double wall separating the two and preventing contamination.  The inside of the EcoDrain also has a non-stick coating that keeps hair and soap from sticking.

The overall design is simple yet effective.  By keeping the design simple, without moving parts, the EcoDrain is expected to be affordable as an addition to new construction or renovation of a home.  The product can even be used in houses where the plumbing will be run through a concrete slab.

The system can also be used with conventional, solar and on-demand water heaters.  Whichever system you choose the EcoDrain will provide energy and cost savings to your home.  No special shower heads are required and the EcoDrain can even work with multiple showers depending on the configuration.

Because the system only works “where the water is being drained without delay”, it works with showers but not with baths, washing machines or dishwashers.  The water, if not drained immediately will lose too much of its heat to make the EcoDrain system effective.

The problem with most plumbing is that it gets clogged and needs to be cleaned out either by a  a liquid drain cleaner if it isn’t too bad or professional plumber.  EcoDrain has taken this into account so that the heat exchange system is not damaged by liquids or mechanical objects such as a plumbers snake.

The company has not quite finalized its distribution system so you can’t buy the EcoDrain just yet.  However, once it does become available, it is one more means of improving the function of your house while decreasing the costs.

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Entry was posted on Monday, March 30th, 2009 at 6:05 pm under Green Technology.

Read more entries by Susan Wilson.
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