How to Save on Your Monthly Electric Bill By Installing a Greywater System

What is a Greywater System?

A greywater system is a type of plumbing system that recycles water from your home to reuse for non-potable purposes like flushing toilets and watering plants. Greywater is the wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing. Unlike blackwater from toilets which contains sewage, greywater can be reused after simple filtration and treatment.

Installing a greywater system allows you to capture greywater from your home and reuse it, rather than sending it down the drain. This reduces the amount of freshwater needed to supply activities that don't require potable water. A greywater system can lower your water usage by up to 50% and significantly reduce your monthly water and sewer bills.

How Does a Greywater System Work?

A basic greywater system has three main components:

• Collection - Greywater is collected from sources like washing machines, showers, and bathroom sinks using a separate plumbing system.
• Filtration - The greywater is filtered to remove solids like hair and dirt. Often a simple filter with gravel and sand is used.
• Distribution - The filtered greywater is stored in a tank and then reused for flushing toilets or irrigating gardens.

The greywater is diverted into an underground tank or pipes instead of mixing with blackwater and going into the sewer system. It is then pumped or fed by gravity back into the home or garden when needed.

More complex systems may disinfect and treat the greywater more thoroughly using techniques like UV filtration, and integrate automation for control. However, even simple greywater systems can significantly reduce freshwater usage and sewer discharges.

Benefits of Installing a Greywater System

Installing a greywater reuse system has many benefits:

• Saves water - Greywater systems can reduce home water usage by 30-50%. This can lead to significant savings on water and sewer bills.

• Reduces strain on sewers - Reusing greywater onsite instead of sending it to the sewage treatment plant reduces load and strain on municipal wastewater systems.

• Environmentally friendly - Recycling greywater reduces freshwater withdrawals. This helps conserve limited natural water resources.

• Uses less energy - Reusing greywater onsite eliminates the energy needed to treat and pump water to a treatment plant.

• Helps plants and gardens - Greywater contains nutrients that can fertilize plants when used for irrigation.

• Lowers utility bills - The reduction in water usage directly lowers monthly water and sewer bills, providing financial savings.

Estimating Savings from a Greywater System

The amount you can save on your utility bills depends on:

• Household size - Larger households use more water and thus can collect more greywater for reuse.

• Water usage habits - Homes with high-water usage like frequent laundering, gardening, etc. will save more.

• Greywater sources - Taping into more sources like showers and bathroom sinks increases water savings.

• Cost of water - Homes in high water rate areas save more on their bills.

As a general estimate, a family of 4 with typical indoor water use can expect to save $30-60 per month during the irrigation season by reusing greywater to cover outdoor water needs. This can result in over $500 in annual savings from reduced utility bills.

Cost of Installing a Greywater System

A basic greywater system for a single-family home costs $2,000 to $5,000 installed. A more complex automated system with treatment can cost up to $15,000.

Factors impacting overall costs include:

• House layout and landscape - Requires rerouting plumbing lines.
• Types of sources tapped - More sources means more complex plumbing.
• Filtration method - From basic to advanced treatment.
• Storage tank size - Larger tanks cost more but hold more greywater.
• Excavation needs - Simple to complex for buried pipes and tanks.
• Local codes and permits - Complexity and costs of regulatory requirements.

While the upfront cost is significant, the water savings can provide a full return on investment in as little as 2-5 years through lowered utility bills. Maintenance costs are minimal with simple DIY cleaning and upkeep.

Evaluating Your Home

Before installing a greywater system, evaluate:

• Water usage - Calculate daily water needs for irrigation, toilets, etc. High water reuse potential yields better payback.

• Water costs - Homes with expensive water can justify a more costly system.

• Sources available - Laundry, showers, and baths are easiest sources to tap into.

• Outdoor irrigation area - Gardens, lawns, and trees use the most greywater.

• Space for system - New build homes can integrate easily, retrofits require flexible space.

• Local codes - Many states now allow simple greywater systems permitting local code compliance.

Consulting with a professional designer is recommended to design the optimal custom system for your home.

greywatersystem #savemoney #waterconservation