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COMPARING DIFFERENT SYSTEMS
Points to check for a long term, robust, fool-proof rain water harvesting or recycling system include:
- what happens if rain water runs out?
In an extended drought, or following excessive use, the rain water tank can run out. Some systems rely on the owner realising there is no water entering the WC cistern and then making a physical switch over. This can be awkward or embarrassing. Most systems allow automatic changeover to mains water; however, many use a electric solenoid or electronic control. When used like this, the solenoid is "on" all of the time, holding back mains water, running hot. This is where system failures can occur.
The JUPITER system automatically switches to mains water with no interruption to water flow to the WC's. It does not rely on electric solenoid or electronic control, and it uses only the minimum mains water until rain water is available again.
- what happens if mains electric fails?
All rain water systems use a pump to bring rain water from the tank, which is usually below ground, although it can be above ground if space and appearance permits.
The pump will stop working if there is a power cut, or if there is a fault with the electric supply to the pump.
The JUPITER system automatically switches to mains water with no interruption to water flow to the WC's. This switchover is mechanical, and does not rely on any electric or electrionic components.
- how does the unit control mains water supply
Many rain water systems use a solenoid to hold back the mains water while rain water is available. Since a well-designed system should provide rain water most of the time, this means that the solenoid is always on, that it, it is using electricity and is energised and gets hot as it is holding back mains water. This can lead to failure of the solenoid over time.
The JUPITER system does not need a solenoid, as it uses a clever, non-electrical method of controlling mains water flow.
- how do I know if I am using mains or rain water
The JUPITER system Control Panel includes a meter on the mains water inlet and a meter on the rain water inlet. By monitoring the meters, you can identify how much rain water and mains water you are using. The meters will also tell you whether you are currently using rain water from the tank or water from the mains supply.
This gives you valuable information about how your system isperforming and how muchmains water you are saving.
- how hard does the pump work
If a rain water system does not use a header tank, it has to operate every time rain water is used, that is on every single flush. Some rain water systems that have a small header tank also require the pump to operate every time the WC is flushed.
This frequent use can cause pump failure and expensive replacement.So, although a "direct supply" system, without a header tank, may appear cheaper, it can be much more expensive to run and to maintain.
The JUPITER suystem uses a header tank with a large store of water, which allows multiple flushes of the WC before the pump has to operate. The pump may only operate every coule of days. This reduces wear on the pump massively and extend pump life many times.
- what happens if the pump fails
The JUPITER system automatically switches to mains water with no interruption to water flow to the WC's. If the pump fails.
If the pump fails, the meter on the mains water will operate. Monitoring of the the meters will give early waring of pump failure.
- what happens if the header tank overflows
If a fault develops in the system so that water continues to enter the header tank even when it is full, as with all installations with a header tank, an overflow pipe is provided, which should be visible outside the building, so that any overflow can be seen.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING & RECYCLING SYSTEMS FOR BUILDERS, HOME OWNERS & BUSINESS