Parade of Homes

>> manitobans will see fewer of their hard-earned dollars going down the drain next year. Starting April 1, 2016, the Manitoba Building Code will require drain water heat recovery systems in all new homes, reducing hot water heater energy consump- tion by up to 25%. Manitoba Hydro is working with supplier EcoInnova- tion Technologies to provide systems to builders be- fore they're mandatory. "We're attempting to claim savings for units that are put in prior to that enforce- ment date for code and supplying those units to builders at essentially zero product cost, and then in- stallation costs are their own responsibility," says Manitoba Hydro marketing programs specialist Allison lund. While plumbing labour costs are proving to be a barrier, several builders are installing the systems early. Though drain water heat recovery may sound like a complicated system, it's actually a fairly simple pro- cess. daniel Beauchemin, co-owner and CEO of EcoIn- novation Technologies, explains that heat recovery oc- curs as you run your shower. "When you take a shower, 90% of the energy is still in that water. This system taps into that waste energy before it leaves the home, takes that energy and pre- heats water before it goes into the hot water tank," he says. "So essentially what that means is you're reducing your energy consumption and, in the case of a hot water tank, you're getting three times more hot water from that tank." The installation process involves removing a section of the drain pipe and replacing it with the thermo drain. It sounds simple, and Beauchemin says it doesn't take a great deal of time, but it is a job best left to a professional plumber. Jeff Sheldon, plumbing manager at Furnasman new Homes, says the system is installed on the plumbing stack connected to the drain of the shower that's used most often in order to reap the greatest benefits. Some larger homes with multiple showers may have two units, but only one will be required under the building code. While the new requirement does not apply to existing homes, a retrofit is available. Sheldon expects the demand to grow, especially as more homeowners see the benefits of more readily available hot water. "We've had some requests already," he says. "We put one in two years ago for a couple in old St. James. There's been some public exposure but a minimal amount." According to Manitoba Hydro, water heating accounts for up to 20% of a home's energy consumption, and lund says it's estimated the systems will pay for themselves in less than seven years. "There are other benefits beyond payback, too," she adds. "I don't know if you've got a big family, but if you're all show- ering in the morning the last person is running out of hot water, and that doesn't happen if you've got a drain water heat recovery system. depending on how it's installed and where it's installed it's possible to have nearly limitless hot water." Another benefit is the unit's longevity. Beauchemin says the life expectancy of the system is 50 years because it's made from copper and has no moving parts that can break down. Additionally, the components are 100% recyclable. drain water heat recovery system upgrades to existing homes are eligible for financing under Manitoba Hydro's Power Smart residential loan and Power Smart PAyS Financing. Homeowners can choose their own supplier, provided the units meet approved standards. BUildiNg cOdE lANdS MANiTOBANS iN HOT WATER 'Depending on how it's installed and where it's installed it's possible to have nearly limitless hot water' by Jon Waldman Parade of Homes FALL 2015 35

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