Power Pipe water heat recovery

Power-PipeTM Drainwater Heat Recovery System

Power-PipeTM works on the principle of gravity film exchange, a principal that takes advantage of ultra-high heat transfer rates and the thermal-conductive properties of copper. The Power-PipeTM is an all-copper section of drainpipe. As water falls down a vertical section of drain pipe, it clings to the inner surface in a very thin film. The heat from this film is transferred easily and efficiently to the cold water circulating in the Power-PipeTM around the outside of the drain pipe. The incoming cold water is preheated before going into the water heater and plumbing fixtures thereby saving money and energy while increasing shower-capacity. The 60 inch unit can bring the cold water temperature up from 10 degrees C to as much as 24 degrees C in the wintertime. Power-PipeTM raises the temperature of incoming cold water by recycling free heat from waste water going down the drain. Approximately 80% to 90% of all hot water energy goes down the drain, allowing the Power-PipeTM to recycle as much as 60% of the wasted heat. The more hot water you use, the more energy you save. This is especially beneficial in large process heating applications. The Power-PipeTM is completely passive, having no moving parts or heating elements so there's nothing to wear out, and the self-cleaning design assures maintenance-free operation. It will fit into almost any house, replacing a section of drainpipe in the basement. Click here to see a photo of a Power-PipeTM installed.