Protecting the environment while saving costs – one Rainwater collector use

Drinking water is not only used for nutrition, but also for a variety of other purposes, such. As for body care such as showering and bathing, as water for cleaning or for Washing machine, The proportion of water consumed in connection with food intake accounts for a significantly lower proportion of total consumption and thus represents the smaller proportion in terms of cost. The much greater share of costs is therefore due to the consumption of drinking water quality water Household water causes – and here is potential for savings. By using rainwater instead of tap water from municipal utilities, these water costs are reduced and the environment is protected. For this purpose, rainwater, which often runs unused into the sewer, with the help of a Rainwater collector Device stored and possibly cleaned and filtered. The then in a sump, in the form of a barrel or cistern, available rainwater has a quality that makes it possible for use in the home. However, the collected rainwater should not be used to drink, dishwash or prepare food. If an underground collection container is used, an official permit under water law may also be required and a notification requirement must be observed.

Rainwater effectively with one Rainwater collector save – the principle of operation

Basically, and often practiced, rainwater can be opened with an open on the top memory such. B. one rain barrel, field. In low or short-term rainfall, the yield is modest. Remedy can create containers with a larger opening, but take correspondingly more space. A much more effective and elegant solution is to use the much higher collection capacity of sloping or flat roofs and to collect the water draining through gutter and downpipe. In the simplest case, it could then be flowed directly and permanently into a storage tank via the outlet of the downpipe. This variant has significant disadvantages. The storage tank could overflow uncontrollably, dirt particles from the roof would be stored with and a targeted redirecting the fall water into the sewer system would possibly no longer or only cumbersome manually possible if necessary. These disadvantages are avoided by using a device with which the downpipe is tapped, the so-called Rainwater collector , It consists, except for very simple models, of three main components: connection mechanism to the downpipe, integrated water filtersand overflow protection for the storage tank with diversion of the fall water into the sewage system at maximum storage level. Common materials of the Rainwater collector are plastic (PVC), copper and zinc. Particularly durable and corrosion resistant are models made of zinc. The devices are sometimes referred to as a downpipe filter, filter-filling machine or variants in the simplest form as Laubabscheider. Most rain collectors are suitable for roof areas of approx. 80 to 100 m2.

The possibilities of assembly

To tap the downpipe of some rain collector models, the connector to the storage tank is mounted as an intermediate piece in the downpipe, which has to be cut open. Other models do not require such intervention, but are simply mounted on the downpipe. They pierce its surface when mounting selectively with a thorn and thus produce the removal opening. Very simple models are installed as a drain flap for diverting the water directly into the downpipe. In any case, it must be noted for which downpipe diameter and type the rain collector is suitable. Indicated in the technical descriptions mm and DIN. The cost of installation depends on the type of rain collector and the type of

Downpipe. As a rule, however, an illustrated installation manual is supplied with the support. Accessories and mounting material such as u. a. Clamps or connecting hoses to the collection container are usually not included and must be procured additionally.

Water outlet flap or filter system – the variants of the rain collector

Simplest models

Rain collectors are offered in many variations. In the simplest case, it is a water outlet flap, which is installed directly in the downpipe. Metal models of this type are durable and durable. However, the seals inside must be renewed after some time. Since these absolutely simple rain collectors have no filter, the collected water is only used as process water for z. B. garden irrigation to use. The handling is also somewhat cumbersome because the opening and closing is done manually and an automatic overflow stop when the water tank is full is not integrated. Most manufacturers of rain collectors do not offer such designs, as their use is severely limited. However, they are the cheapest way to collect rainwater.

Models with overflow stop

More comfortable are rain collectors with overflow stop. In this case, the Riesenammler is connected via an additional hose to the storage container. When the maximum level is reached, a valve is automatically closed in the connecting piece to the downpipe and the rainwater drains into the sewage system. The sensor can be based on water pressure, which arises when the storage tank is filled, or the level of the triggering the switching off, according to the principle of communicating vessels. In the latter case, the connecting piece must be mounted at the same height as the maximum permissible filling level in the collecting container.

Models with filters

Decisive influence on the quality of the collected water has, if present, the filter, whose sieve should be cleaned now and then. A maintenance work of this kind, however, largely accounts for self-cleaning filters. These are low maintenance and do not lose their function in generous periods of time, even with dirt accumulation. The filters are usually suitable for summer and winter operation and can be easily adapted to the season. On some models, the filter is changed, in others, it is simply reversed. In addition, variants with multi-stage filter systems are also offered, which filter in succession in several phases and remain maintenance-free for a long time.

Models with overflow stop and filter

Even more comfort is provided by rain collectors with overflow stop and filter. They clean the water and also keep larger particles like u. a. Leaves and needles back. These models and the variants that only have an overflow stop are often referred to as rain collector machines.

The agony of choice – what to look for when buying a rain collector

First, you should be aware of the intended application. If only water is to be collected in a rain barrel for later use as service water for the garden and if it is also irrelevant whether the bucket once overflows, one of the simple models without filters. In all other cases, the technical specification should be read carefully. Many models from different manufacturers have almost the same performance focus, but often differ in detail, such as: B. the suitability for an existing downpipe diameter or maybe only in matching or inappropriate housing dimensions. Below are three concrete models of different performance classes listed to illustrate the variety of models. It should be noted that the products are only examples to which no valuation is associated. Various other manufacturers offer types with similar characteristics. In addition, the comparison also reveals the incompleteness of the manufacturer’s instructions, which does not make a systematic comparison easy.

Zinc rainwater damper DN 80 without strainer (manufacturer-neutral standard) and Edinger drain extension

– Drainage flap of different lengths, combined with titanium galvanized 400 mm long drain extension
– Drain
flap in the downpipe
– Drain extension on downpipe
– absolutely simple and manageable
– without filter and overflow stop
– least expensive solution

Beckmann V1 filter filling machine gray
– Material: plastic, high quality, stable and thick-walled
– Height: 28 cm
– for installation in the downpipe
– Stainless steel filter with mesh size of 0.7 x 1.7 mm, easy to clean
– Rotary handle for dosing the delivered water volume and for switching from summer / winter operation
– Connection options for HT pipes DN70 u. DN50 and 1 inch u. 3/4 inch hoses
– Overflow stop according to the principle of water level detection, therefore mounting on the downpipe at the same height as the top edge of the collecting tank
– Included in the delivery: 3/4-inch barrel connection u. 30 cm long 3/4-inch connection hose for rain barrel

– suitable for all downpipes with a diameter of 68 to 110 mm

Amur Z 100 zinc-gray or copper-brown
– Type: self-cleaning
– Efficiency more than 90% at 3l / s
– double stainless steel sieve, unbreakable
– Filter mesh size 100μm (0,1mm)
– Rain storage connection: HT 50/70 u. RG / KG 100
– suitable for roof areas up to 250 m2
– Universal connection, suitable for downpipes with RG 100/110 mm outside diameter
– Overflow stop, principle water level detection
– UV-stable PP – 100% recyclable