My name is Natalie, and in this blog, I am going to write about a lot of different energy practices. I plan to write about solar panels, indoor air filtration, wind farms and whatever else strikes my fancy when I'm writing. I want to focus on easy and efficient energy practices, and I hope to explain how those practices can benefit the earth. My interest in energy and the environment started when I was just a teen. I attended a camp where we studied the environment whilst also doing a lot of foraging, hiking and other things that allowed us to engage with nature. From that week onward, I've wanted to change the world and its relationship with energy. I hope this blog is just the start.
Rainwater tanks are a good way to collect rainwater and keep it safe and ready to use, to cut down on your use of city-supplied water and save on your utility bills. You can use the rainwater for your own home's plumbing system or for chores like washing the car and watering the lawn. When you're ready to buy a rainwater tank, you might have a few basic questions about the right type and how they're installed; note some of these questions below and then discuss them with a contractor so you make the right decision.
1. What size is best?
It's easy to think that you should get the largest tank you can afford and which will fit under your lawn in order to collect as much rainwater as possible, but one factor that many homeowners overlook is the average rainfall in their area. If you get a tank that holds thousands of gallons of water but never get that much rainfall in one year, you'll be wasting money and space. Your local water authority or weather authority can tell you the average amount of rainfall you get in a year or every season, and you can then decide on the best capacity for your needs while also taking into account just how much rainwater you can expect to get every year.
2. Can all tanks hook to the home plumbing?
To use a rainwater tank for your home plumbing system, you need the proper connections; you also need a filter if you're going to be using the water for drinking or cooking. If having a powerful filtration system is outside your budget, you can have a plumber hook the tank for use in the toilets only; when you flush the toilet, it will refill with the water from the rainwater tank, so there would be no need to filter it. Be sure you opt for a tank that has the right plumbing connections and have this connected by a plumber who specializes in rainwater tank installation.
3. Is a permit required even for a small tank?
The permits required for anything on your property will vary according to your location, but some cities require certain features on the tank such as mosquito prevention measures, labeling, and noise abatement for the tank. Don't assume that a small tank won't require any type of permit if you're just going to put it next to your house and won't be digging to store it underground, but check with your city about what requirements they may still have for the tank and ensure you're compliant.
Share13 May 2016
