Friday 7 November 2008

Rainwater Harvesting: Oak Tree House

Oak Tree House in Knaphill, Woking is a three bedroom detached house that has been refurbished as a show house, for local people to gain an insight in to how they might reduce their own domestic energy and water usage.

The project was completed by energy partner ECSC, building partner Mansell PLC and Environmental partner, Woking LA21, Woking Borough Council in November 2008.

The project covered several aspects of sustainable living and these included:

Sustainably sourced furnishings
High level of insulation
High-efficiency boiler and heating controls
Solar thermal hot water
Solar PV
Passive solar harnessing
Rainwater harvesting
Water conservation measure, such as aerated shower and aerated taps.
Drought resistant plant species in the garden

Freerain Ltd, supplied a 3,500 litre rainwater harvesting system to the project.
The system which retails at around £2,200 + VAT (supplied only) includes a tank, submersible pump and a control package. This system also draws mains water when there is insufficient rainfall automatically. Therefore the homeowner doesn't have to do anything, but a simple filter clean about four times per year. Should the house receive average rainfall for the area, the system could provide up to 70M3 of water during the year. This means that the water use for the house with an average family will broadly halve.
The collected water is non-potable, which is suitable for WC flushing, washing machines and all outside tap functions. Along with permeable paving, the rainwater tank will help to prevent localised flooding issues, that are often associated with urban areas.

The house will be shortly open to public as a demonstration property.

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