CONSTRUCTION MAISON NEUVE – THERMODRAIN
ThermoDrain, système de récupération de chaleur des eaux de drainage, est considéré comme un appareil économe en énergie et augmentera le confort et l'efficacité globale de la maison. Aucune autre technologie éconergétique dans la maison ne durera plus longtemps, n'offrira plus de confort ou ne vous fera économiser plus d'argent au cours de sa durée de vie qu'un ThermoDrain. Les doigts dans le nez!
US Mechanical Engineering & Building Performance Portal
US Builder Portal: HERS® Index Optimization & State Energy Code Compliance
Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR) is a passive, falling-film thermodynamic heat exchanger that preheats incoming potable water using thermal energy recovered from outgoing shower greywater. Operating with zero moving parts, zero electrical load, and third-party certified potable pressure loss < 2.5 psi under CSA B55.1, the ThermoDrain® TDX Series enables builders and mechanical engineers to cost-effectively lower RESNET HERS® Index scores, qualify for Section 45L Federal Tax Credits ($2,500–$5,000 per home), and clear progressive municipal energy codes.
Section 45L Federal Tax Credit Compliance ($2,500 – $5,000 per Home)
Under the Inflation Reduction Act (26 U.S.C. § 45L), single-family homebuilders qualify for direct federal tax credits of $2,500 (ENERGY STAR® Single-Family New Homes v3.1/v3.2) or $5,000 (DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Single-Family v2). As building enclosures tighten to ≤ 2.0 ACH50, domestic water heating accounts for 25% to 35%+ of total modeled energy consumption under ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 301. Specifying a ThermoDrain TDX unit reduces water-heating energy consumption by 15% to 30%, typically delivering an indicative 1.0 to 2.5 point whole-house HERS Index reduction on high-efficiency heat pump water heater (HPWH) or gas tankless baselines—closing the critical 1-to-2 point qualification margin at a fraction of the cost of deep envelope alterations.
State-Specific Statutory Code Provisions & Local Amendments
Beyond nationwide HERS score improvements, leading US jurisdictions explicitly mandate, award prescriptive credits, or establish efficiency tiers for CSA B55.1-tested DWHR systems:
Under WAC 51-11R-40621 Table R406.3 (Option 5.1), residential projects receive 0.5 prescriptive credits for installing a DWHR unit rated at ≥ 40.0% efficiency (Equal Flow) or ≥ 54.0% efficiency (Unequal Flow) under CSA B55.1. Specifying the ThermoDrain TDX3350 (η = 42.10%) directly satisfies the statutory 40.0% threshold.
Under the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code (225 CMR 22.00) and Specialized Municipal Opt-In Code (225 CMR 23.00), residential buildings must clear strict HERS ≤ 45 (all-electric) or HERS ≤ 42 (mixed-fuel) caps. ThermoDrain drops modeled Ekotrope HERS scores by 1.5 to 3.5 points, securing compliance while qualifying for performance-based Mass Save® RNC incentives.
Governed by the Colorado Model Low Energy Code, Denver Green Code Provision CE22 (Section 701.4.4.4) mandates DWHR on ≥ 80% of covered stacks in Group R-2 buildings with ≥ 4 showers per stack. Additionally, Denver Energy Code Section R408.11.1 awards standalone Tier 1 credits for units ≥ 50.0% efficiency, satisfied by the ThermoDrain TDX3615 (η = 55.04%).
Comparative Capital Economics: Cost-Per-Point to Drop 1.5 to 3.5 HERS Points
| Compliance Strategy | Estimated Added Cost | Modeled HERS Drop | Framing, Envelope & MEP Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple-Pane Window Package (U ≤ 0.20) | +$4,500 – $8,500 | 1.5 to 2.5 pts | Heavy frames, structural bucking, increased hinge loading |
| Exterior Continuous Rigid Insulation (R-10 ci) | +$6,000 – $9,500 | 2.0 to 3.5 pts | Extended window jambs, rainscreen modifications, siding detailing |
| Sub-Slab R-10 Rigid Foam Package | +$3,000 – $5,000 | 1.0 to 2.0 pts | Detailing at footing perimeters and under-slab plumbing penetrations |
|
ThermoDrain® TDX Series (Equal Flow DWHR) See HPWH Enthalpy & Mixing Valve Analysis → |
~$185 – $525 USD (Equip.) ~$350 – $750 installed |
1.5 to 3.5 pts | Zero framing changes. Fits in standard 3.5" plumbing wall chase. 45-min rough-in. |
National HERS® Rater Software Input Reference Table
Provide these verified third-party laboratory parameters to your RESNET HERS Rater for entry into Ekotrope RATER or REM/Rate under ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 301. To capture the full modeled deduction, the unit must be plumbed in an Equal Flow configuration (preheated potable water splits to feed both the cold inlet of the water heater and the cold inlet port of the primary shower mixing valve).
📊 Energy Advisor Deep Dive: Read our complete breakdown on modeling the compact TDX3240B in Ekotrope & REM/Rate to maximize Section 45L tax credits.
⚡ All-Electric Mechanical Guide: Review our peer-reviewed technical note on pairing Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) with ThermoDrain to cut instantaneous shower load by 38.6% to 50.5%.
| Technical Parameter |
TDX Compact TDX3240B (Starts at ~$185 USD) |
TDX Builder Pro TDX3350 (Code Standard / 45L) |
TDX Net-Zero Pro TDX3615 (High-Yield ZERH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. Equipment Cost (MSRP) | ~$185 USD | ~$325 USD | ~$525 USD |
| Primary Code / Rater Application | Crawlspaces < 32" clear height, budget 45L gap closing | Production single-family, WSEC Option 5.1 (≥ 40%) | Denver DEC R408.11 (≥ 50%), DOE ZERH HERS ≤ 42 |
| Nominal Drain Core Height | 24.0 inches (61.0 cm) | 35.0 inches (88.9 cm) | 61.5 inches (156.2 cm) |
| Drain Stack Diameter | 3.0 inches (76 mm) | 3.0 inches (76 mm) | 3.0 inches (76 mm) |
| Certified CSA B55.1 Efficiency (η)* | 33.59% (Equal Flow) | 42.10% (Exceeds 40% rule) | 55.04% (Exceeds 50% rule) |
| Potable Head Loss at 2.5 GPM | < 1.8 psi (12.4 kPa) | < 2.5 psi (17.2 kPa) | < 2.5 psi (17.2 kPa) |
| Indicative HERS Index Drop** | 1.0 to 2.0 Points | 1.5 to 3.0 Points | 2.5 to 4.5+ Points |
| Connection Standards | Factory 3/4" PEX (ASTM F1807 / F1960) & Solvent-Weld ABS/PVC Hubs | Factory 3/4" PEX (ASTM F1807 / F1960) & Solvent-Weld ABS/PVC Hubs | Factory 3/4" PEX (ASTM F1807 / F1960) & Solvent-Weld ABS/PVC Hubs |
| Safety & Durability Certifications | CSA B55.1:20 & CSA B55.2:20 (Double-Wall Vented Air Gap), IAPMO / UPC Listed | CSA B55.1:20 & CSA B55.2:20 (Double-Wall Vented Air Gap), IAPMO / UPC Listed | CSA B55.1:20 & CSA B55.2:20 (Double-Wall Vented Air Gap), IAPMO / UPC Listed |
*Rated laboratory efficiency measured in accordance with CSA B55.1:20 at 9.5 L/min (2.5 GPM) equal potable and drain flow rates.
**Indicative whole-building HERS Index point reductions evaluated across Climate Zones 4–6. Actual results vary based on building geometry, baseline water heating fuel and UEF, daily fixture draw volume, and software simulation version.
Need Submittal Packets, CAD Schematics, or Volume Builder Pricing?
Contact our technical engineering desk for CSA B55.1 third-party test certificates, Equal Flow isometric drawings, or direct wholesale builder account support.