We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Is Water Heat Recycling?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
About Mechanics is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At About Mechanics, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject-matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Water heat recycling is the use of a heat exchanger to transfer heat from waste water to incoming cold water, reducing the amount of energy necessary to heat that water for use. This will cut down on energy usage in a building, reducing operating costs and lowering the size of the environmental footprint. Systems vary in design and cost and are often available through contractors who specialize in environmentally friendly retrofits and installation of new energy conservation systems.

In the process of running showers, washing dishes, and performing other tasks with hot water, hot water pours down the drain and the energy expended to heat it is effectively wasted, as the water dumps into a drainage system and disappears. With water heat recycling, the water moves through a heat exchanger that wraps around an incoming cold water pipe, heating cold water as it enters a structure. The preheated water takes less time to bring up to the needed temperature, cutting down on overall energy use.

Many systems come with a storage tank. Without the tank, the only time heat exchange could take place would be when hot water is leaving a building and cold water is coming in. Homes can add additional efficiency to their water heat recycling system by connecting it to a gray-water recycler, recovering water that may be usable for irrigation, flushing toilets, and similar activities. This will reduce overall water usage and limit the demand for freshwater.

It is possible to install a water heat recycling system in an existing structure, often leaving most of the current plumbing intact. In some regions, grants are available to help homes increase energy efficiency, and it may be possible to get financial assistance if the cost of a system is too high. Tax benefits may also be available, depending on the system and the tax year. In new design, architects can build a water heat recycling plan into the structure, installing it from the start.

Maintaining such systems is relatively simple, as they rely on plumbing that already needs to be in place; homes need pipes to carry away waste water, for example, and a brief diversion to a heat exchanger does not constitute a major change. The system is also easy for any plumber to work on. No special environmental certifications are required to make repairs or retrofits to the water heat recycling system, as it relies on basic plumbing principles.

About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.