ENERGY PROGRAM

Drain water heat recovery is currently being used in the following standards.

DRAIN WATER HEAT RECOVERY – LEED

ThermoDrain is an easy and affordable way to get points for LEED projects.

Four different rating systems were assessed for the ThermoDrain product and the following results were found:

LEED® BC+C v4: Specifically within the LEED Homes and Multi-family Low-rise v4 and Mid-rise v4, EcoInnovation’s ThermoDrain  product is applicable to the following credits:

  • EAp1: Minimum Energy Performance
  • EAc1: Annual Energy Use

A maximum of three LEED points can be earned for residential drain water heat recovery systems under the efficient hot water equipment credit, which is Energy and Atmosphere credit 7.3 in LEED for Homes version 2008, and Energy and Atmosphere credit 12 in the forthcoming LEED for Homes v4. Projects with GFX units may also qualify for a LEED innovation point.

Other resources for LEED drain water heat recovery

Architectmagazine.com

Forbes.com

DRAIN WATER HEAT RECOVERYENERGY STAR FOR NEW HOMES & ENERGUIDE FOR NEW HOMES

The Energuide and Energy Star for new homes has drain water heat recovery as an option for energy credits. When comparing the different options available to meet these credit requirements, drain water heat recovery gives the highest number of credits for the cost versus all other options. The best part of drain water heat recovery for energy star and energuide for new homes is the comfort factor.More hot water for less money!

NET ZERO READY HOMES DRAIN WATER HEAT RECOVERY

The majority of Canadian Net Zero Ready home builders have adopted, drain water heat recovery as a standard. Once again, the simple idea of recovering waste heat energy and using it to preheat incoming cold water to the water heater is the easiest and most affordable way to cut energy requirements for water heating. 

BUILT GREEN® AND DRAIN WATER HEAT RECOVERY

Built Green Canadais an industry-driven, national, non-profit organization committed to working with builders interested in responsible sustainability practices in the residential building sector. The organization offers programs for single family, renovations, and high density projects, with a communities program under development.

BUILT GREEN® Drain Water Heat Recovery Checklist

This product earns points by providing this function:1.2.9 Install drain water heat recovery (DWHR) units on the main drain stack to recover heat from shower drain water. DWHR units must be CSA certified to B55.1 and B55.2: 1 point for units less than 42% efficient and 2 points for units greater than, or equal to, 42% efficient that are fully insulated (2 points).

HERS AND RESNET 

Residential Energy Service Network and Home Energy Rating System

The ANSI/RESNET/International Code Council Standard 301 incorporates new water heating efficiency calculations, including Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR) in calculating a home’s HERS Index Score. RESNET accredited HERS Rating Software programs were to incorporate the new standard in their software tools beginning on January 1, 2016. As a result of inconsistencies in incorporating the new standard, the RESNET Board of Directors moved the date that HERS Raters must use the revised software programs to July 1, 2016.

Despite this delay, HERS Raters can still credit DWHR systems through the Innovative Design Request that RESNET has adopted to calculate energy savings for DWHR systems and provide an appropriate HERS Index score credit where these systems are properly installed in homes.

The RESNET Drain Water Heat Recovery Innovative Design Request will remain in effect until the revised HERS rating software tools go into effect.*

Here is addendum B which covers IDRs
https://www.resnet.us/wp-content/uploads/ANSIRESNETICC-301-2014-Addendum-B-2015-Innovative-Design-Requests-January-15-2016.pdf

Here is the addendum that incorporates DWHR into the standard
https://www.resnet.us/wp-content/uploads/ANSIRESNETICC-301-2014-Addendum-A-2015-Domestic-Hot-Water-Systems-January-15-2016.pdf

 

* Source =  RESNET 

PASSIVE HOUSE DRAIN WATER HEAT RECOVERY

Canadian and American Passive House builders have been using ThermoDrain, drain water heat recovery as a simple and easy way to increase the energy efficiency of the Passive House. 

NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING STANDARD (NGBS) – THERMODRAIN

National Green Building Standard: Multi-Family 2012 program, ThermoDrain can contribute to the following credits:

  • 703.4.3 Water Heating Design, Equipment and Installation DWHR
    In the NGBS Remodeling 2012 program:
  • 305.3.5 Energy Efficiency