Sources for Home and Garden

Updated 1 February 2024

Instant hot Water

“Save up to 16,000 litres of water every year”

“A Grundfos recirculator pump can help stop wasting water and thus use up to 90% less energy compared to an old recirculation system. 

“The average household consisting of 3 people wastes around 16,425 liters of water a year, which is equal to 66 bathtubs and 37 hours of waiting time”

“The average homeowner waits up to 37 hours for hot water from taps and showerheads every year, contributing to 16,000 litres of water waste – the same as filling 66 large bathtubs.”

“this can end up in 16,000 litres of water wasted every year”

Source: 

The average homeowner waits up to 37 hours for hot water from taps and showerheads every year, contributing to 16,000 litres of water waste – the same as filling 66 large bathtubs.

Assumptions: Assuming that an average household consists of 3 persons in average water waste a year is estimated to be 16.425 liters equals 66 bathtubs and 37 hours waiting a year 

  1. Number of times a person is waiting a day for water to get hot at a faucet is estimated to be 5 https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports/AtHomewithWater(7).pdf
  2. Number of liters wasted each time at a faucet is estimated to be 2 liters, with a faucet having a flow of 6 liters per minute https://sustainabilityinfo.com/water/how-much-water-does-a-faucet-use/   
  3. Number of times a person is waiting a day for water to get hot in a shower is estimated to be 1 https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports/AtHomewithWater(7).pdf 
  4. Number of listers wasted in the shower each time is estimated to be 5 liters with a shower head having a flow of 15 liters per minute https://sustainabilityinfo.com/water/how-much-water-does-a-faucet-use/   
  5. According to the research organisation PRB the average number of people living in a household in Europe is 2,4. Rounded up this gives an average of 3 persons per household. 
    https://www.prb.org/international/indicator/hh-size-av/map/country/
  6. Waiting time for hot water is estimated to be 20 seconds each time.  
  7. Length of the pipe from the water source/heater to the faucet and shower head is estimated to 20 meters 
  8. The bathtub size is estimated at 250 liters 
    https://www.badeloftusa.com/ideas/how-much-does-bathtub-hold/

Energy Saving Trust (2013) "Water at home - The biggest ever review of domestic water use in Great Britain" 
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports/AtHomewithWater(7).pdf (1, 3) 

Sustainability Info (2021) "How much Water does a Faucet Use 
https://sustainabilityinfo.com/water/how-much-water-does-a-faucet-use/ (2, 4) 

PRB (2020) PRB’s World Population Data Sheet "Average household size"  
https://www.prb.org/international/indicator/hh-size-av/map/country/ (5)

Badeloft (2021) "How Many Gallons Does a Bathtub Hold?" 
https://www.badeloftusa.com/ideas/how-much-does-bathtub-hold/ (8) 

Estimated savings:  

Replacing a UPS 6m, speed III with a new HWR pump from Grundfos

Old UPS 6m - speed III - Watt use: 90W - Time running a day: 24 hours* - Watt use a day: 90W 

New COMFORT BASIC - Watt use: 7W - Time running a day: 24 hours* - Watt use a day: 7W - Savings: 92%

New COMFORT DT - Watt use: 7W - Time running a day: 10,5 hours** - Watt use a day: 3W - Savings: 97% 

New COMFORT AUTOADAPT - Watt use: 7W - Time running a day: 2,5 hours - Watt use a day: 0,7W - Savings: 99% 

New ALPHA N 25-60 180  - speed II - Watt use: 28W - Time running a day: 24 hours* - Watt use a day: 28W - Savings: 69% 

New UPS N 20-60-180 - speed II - Watt use: 70W - Time running a day: 24 hours* - Watt use a day: 70W - Savings: 22% 00

* With no external timer installed 

** COMFORT DIGITAL TIMER has a factory default setting where 21 enabled 30 minutes time slots are activated  

Supporting facts: 

Eco Friendly Habits (2021) "Water Waste Facts: Stats About Water Consumption & Usage" 
https://www.ecofriendlyhabits.com/water-wasting-facts/   

Energy Efficiency Standards Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division (2011) "Water and Energy Wasted During Residential Shower Events: Findings from a Pilot Field Study of Hot Water Distribution Systems" 
https://energyanalysis.lbl.gov/publications/water-and-energy-wasted-during

Energy Efficiency Standards Group, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division (2011) "Water and Energy Wasted During Residential Shower Events: Findings from a Pilot Field Study of Hot Water Distribution Systems" 
https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/water_and_energy_wasted_during_residential_shower_events_findings_from_a_pilot_field_study_of_hot_water_distribution_systems_lbnl-5115e.pdf

 

“No more 20-second waiting time when turning on the tap:”

“Did you know the average homeowner waits up to 20 seconds for hot water from taps or showerheads?”

“It takes about 20 seconds on average for the hot water to reach the tap”

Source:

Number of times a person is waiting a day for water to get hot at a faucet is estimated to be 5 https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports/AtHomewithWater(7).pdf

 

“contributing to the average household losing between 15,000-20,000 liters every year”

Source:

https://www.grundfos.com/uk/learn/research-and-insights/save-water-and-energy-with-efficient-hot-water-systems

 

Perfect water Pressure

“ensure perfect water pressure in homes with up to 3 floors and 8 different taps”

Source:

Tap flow rates vary significantly depending on the type and geography. They can go anywhere between 5 and 15 l/min. Perfect water pressure is the constant 2 bar water pressure SCALA2 delivers at these taps.

By assuming an average tap flowrate of 7,5 l/min and the fact that SCALA2 can provide 2 bar/29PSI of pressure at 60 l/min, we conclude that SCALA2 can supply 8 taps at the time.

Therefore, the home can have even more than 8 taps, but SCALA2 can only supply 8 at the time with an expected comfort.

Note that higher flowrate taps would limit the number SCALA2 can supply.

 

“Save up to 40% on your energy consumption compared to traditional booster pumps”

“reduce your energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional pumps”

Source: 

Grundfos DBS boosting expert

 

[…] “a noise level as low as 44 dB (A). This is a 3 dB(A) reduction in sound pressure compared to the previous generation, translating to a 50% perceived noise reduction to the human ear.”

Source:

Noise level: Measurement made in the Grundfos Sound and Vibration Lab and documented in a Sound Measurement Report according to ISO 3745.

“50% perceived noise reduction by the human ear”: Calculation made according to the theory in

Authors: Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs

Publisher/website: OpenStax

Book title: College Physics

Publication date: Jun 21, 2012

Location: Houston, Texas

Book URL:  https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/1-introduction-to-science-and-the-realm-of-physics-physical-quantities-and-units  

Section URL:  https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/17-introduction-to-the-physics-of-hearing

 

“By selecting the most efficient pressure boosters over traditional booster pumps, homeowners can enjoy significant savings, reducing their energy consumption for water boosting by as much as 40%.”

Source:

Calculation and assumptions for the reduction of energy consumption for water boosting by 40% if you replace traditional booster.

It is based on a comparison of CMB 3-46 and SCALA2 3-45.  As CMB is what we consider a traditional booster, and we choose size 3-46 for 1:1 comparison with SCALA2 3-45.

 We assume that the pump is running 4 hours a day, 365 days a year. In the remaining 20 hours, the pump is not running.

 We assume that the demand is different over a day, so we use three different points (0.75m³/h, 1.5m³/h, 2.25m³/h).

 We assume that during running hours, the pump will run 17% at duty point 1, 33% at duty point 2 and 50% at duty point 3. 

We then read the power consumption at this flow demand at 30m head, to map the power consumption during the day. 

This will result in the total energy used for the day. Multiply that with the total running days per year (365) and you get yearly energy use for both SCALA2 and comparison pump. Divide these two and convert to percentage then the savings equals 43%.  

Calculation made in the Boosting Energy Calculation tool.

 

Efficient heating

“In fact, 10% of the total electricity in the world is used by pumps – often inefficiently”

Source: 

https://www.searchingindustrial.com/media/1078/pumps-could-change-the-world-again

 

“From 84W/h to 5W/h on your energy consumption”

Source: 

Grundfos calculations based on product information: Old UPS (CC curve): 83.5 kWh/y - ALPHA2 AUTOADAPT 4.6 kWh/y

 

“Between 5-20% energy savings every year”

“Balancing your heating system allows you to save up to 20% on your energy bill”

Source: 

Study of FH Münster, 2015

 

“200 million inefficient heating pumps worldwide ready for replacement”

“Heating pumps are essential to home comfort. Today, there are 200 million pumps running inefficiently worldwide.” 

“Today, there are 200 million pumps worldwide that are running inefficiently”   

Source: 

https://200millionpossibilities.com/

This is calculated using a combination of Grundfos sales in both OEM and Trade, market share information and a model that estimates the average lifetime of the components within the circulators.

 

“lower energy consumption by up to 85% compared to an old fixed-speed pump”

Source: 

https://api.grundfos.com/literature/Grundfosliterature-6014677.pdf

 

“can help save up to 75% on energy consumption”

“Save up to 75% in energy consumption and reduces your energy bills”

“Up to 75% energy savings can be achieved by switching out that old circulator pump, reducing power consumption from 84W to 5W.”

“10 year old pumps are less efficient than new ones. If yours hits the 10-year mark, it’s time to upgrade to save energy at home.”

Source:

Grundfos calculations based on product information: Old UPS (CC curve): 358,9 kWh/y - ALPHA2 AUTOADAPT 56,7 kWh/y

 

82% of heating systems aren't set up right. That's more energy used than needed and less comfort at home.

Source: 

CO2 online, 2017

 

"with the new ALPHA2 pump uses only 5 watts, compared to your old UPS pump’s 84 watts usage (…). ALPHA2 is 17 times more energy efficient and will save you 114 EUR per year. Purchase with installment only costs 450 EUR** and will save you money after just 4 years”

Source:

A UPS 25 60 180 running on a constant curve speed III uses 84 watts https://product-selection.grundfos.com/products/up-ups-series-100/up-ups/ups-25-60-180-59546600?tab=variant-curves&pumpsystemid=2135654294

An ALPHA2 25 60 180 running in AUTOADAPT uses 5 watts https://product-selection.grundfos.com/products/alpha/alpha2/alpha2-25-60-180-99411175?tab=variant-curves&pumpsystemid=2121435648

A heating system needs to provide 4.6 kW for heating up a mid-terrace house from the mid 80’s https://tools.bregroup.com/heatpumpefficiency/dwelling-heat-loss

European standard for running hours a year for a circulator in a domestic building is 5000 hours https://ekosuunnittelu.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Lot11_Circulators_FinalReport.pdf page 30

The average electricity price in first half of 2023 was € 28,9 per 100 kWh https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20231026-1

The installation cost is based on an estimated average price in Denmark, UK, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland

The cost of buying and installing a new ALPHA pump is € 450*, and with a yearly saving of €114 the new pump has earned itself in less than 4 years (local market variations – 4 years is based on an electrical energy price of € 28,9 per 100 kWh*.

Rainwater harvesting

“48,000 litres of water saved annually in the average home”

Source: 

https://www.owlshall.co.uk/guide/rainwater-harvesting/how-much-water-can-a-rainwater-harvesting-system-save/

 

“35% of household water replaced by rainwater”

“With a rainwater collection system, you can save 35% on your water use”

Source: 

https://www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk/main/rainwater-harvesting-information/benefits-of-rainwater-collection

 

“40-50% saved on the average homeowner's water bill”

“Which can add up to a 50% reduction on your water bill”

“you can save 35% on your current water usage, which can add up to a 50% reduction on your water bill”

“and reduce your water bill by up to a 50%”

Source: 

https://rainharvesting.co.uk/rainwater-harvesting-system-can-help-save-money-housing-development/#:~:text=With%20sufficient%20storage%20and%20the,50%25%20on%20their%20water%20bills

 

“But the reality is we can save or replace up to 35% of this clean water with rainwater and other sustainable approaches.”

Source: 

https://visionwater.eu/know-how/the-water-consumption-per-person/

 

“It’s no secret that rainwater harvesting systems save water at home. They can collect up to 50,000 litres of water each year without relying on the mains water supply – and can reduce home water consumption by as much as 65%.”

Source: 

https://agriculture.coerco.com.au/agriculture-blog/rainwater-harvesting-7-common-misconceptions-debunked

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/17/2716#:~:text=Most%20studies%20reviewed%20found%20potential,volume%20from%2013%20to%2091%25.

 

Article: Why is my water bill so high?

"When you consider that our toilets alone account for roughly 30% of total average household water use"

Source:
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/residential-toilets#:~:text=Toilets%20are%20by%20far%20the,wasted%20water%20in%20many%20homes.

 

"If we dig further into the potential of rainwater, harvesting your own rainwater can help you reduce your household’s total water usage by up to 40%."

Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/25/could-harvesting-rain-help-reduce-water-shortages-in-the-uk

 

"And these issues are not just time consuming: they cost the average household approximately 16,000 litres of water every year."

Source:
https://product-selection.grundfos.com/home-and-garden/waiting-for-hot-water

 

"Only put on a full laundry or dishwasher load (and, depending on what clothing items you’re washing, a 30°C cycle is as good as a 40°C cycle"

Source:
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/washing-machines/article/washing-machine-temperature-guide-aLiyf2p96y4d

 

Article: Why is my water pressure low

"Typical water pressure should fall between 45-80 PSI"

Source:
https://www.plumbingsupply.com/residential-water-pressure-explained.html

Article: How to check water pressure in your home

"Typically, the water pressure in a residential property ranges from 45 to 80 PSI."

Source:
https://www.plumbingsupply.com/residential-water-pressure-explained.html

 

"Above 80 can potentially damage appliances and fixtures over time."

Source:
https://plumblineservices.com/help-guides/does-high-water-pressure-damage-plumbing

 

"Your shutoff valve controls how much water comes from the water meter valve and can be found in one of several locations."

Source:
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/how-to-find-water-shut-off-valve/

 

"When was the last time you gave your shower head or faucets a thorough clean? They may not be able to perform as well as expected due to sediment build-up."

Source:
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/low-water-pressure-causes/

 

"You should also check your pipes for this, especially if they are over 20 years old (steel), over 40 years old (brass) or over 50 years old (copper)"

Source:
https://www.thespruce.com/home-water-pressure-problems-2718730

 

"The leak could also be coming from a frozen pipe behind a wall."

Source:
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/low-water-pressure-causes/

 

Article: What is rainwater harvesting and how does it work?

"According to the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO), the average person needs between 50-100 litres of water per day to meet most basic needs." 

Source:
https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/pdf/human_right_to_water_and_sanitation_media_brief.pdf

 

"So how much rainwater can you collect? Various sources estimate that each square metre (m²) of roof space collects around 1 litre (L) of water for every millimetre (mm) of rainfall."

Source:
https://www.google.com/search?q=each+square+metre+(m%C2%B2)+of+roof+space+collects+around+1+litre+(L)+of+water+for+every+millimetre+(mm)+of+rainfall