How to Choose the Right Residential Rainwater Tank for Your Property


A rainwater tank can help cut down on your use of fresh water, saving you money and potentially the environment! Water treatment plants create tremendous amounts of pollution, so using rainwater for watering the garden, filling the pool, or for plumbing back into the home can be very beneficial. Note a few tips for choosing the right rainwater tank for your property so you know you're happy with this purchase for years to come.

Note where it will be kept

If you don't have money for a large piping system that will direct rainwater from the roof of your home to the tank, you'll want something you can keep very close to the downspouts. If you have a large garage and can put a tank behind that, you can opt for a larger tank; for smaller properties, you may need a smaller tank that can fit up against the side of the home. This is important when considering the size and even the style of tank, as you don't want an unsightly tank in plain view of the patio. One made of metal that is powder coated can be better for keeping by the home versus a plastic or concrete tank that may detract from an outdoor space.

Wet and dry systems

Wet systems refer to having pipes run underground and then up and into the tank; these are usually used for when the tank is placed some distance away from the home or garage. Water settles and remains in the pipes even when it's not raining, which is why it's called a wet system. A dry system works by having a pipe run directly down from the roof of a building to the tank itself; the pipes drain when the rain stops, so they can dry out. Dry systems are more hygienic, as the water left over in a wet system can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and lingering bacteria. If you opt for a wet system for a tank situated away from a building, you'll need stronger filters or other cleansers for the water.

Bladders

If your property cannot accommodate a rainwater tank, you might consider a bladder instead. This is a large, flat container that you can put under the subfloor or crawlspace of the home to which you attach pipes. The bladder fills with water every time it rains, just like a tank. Because the bladder is flatter and expands as it fills, it can more readily be stored out of sight.

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Keeping the house cool naturally

In Australia it can be a battle to keep the house a nice temperature year round. It's either way, way too hot or freezing cold most of the year I find. Luckily using some natural design tip in our new home we have worked out some great ways to keep the house cool naturally, no matter what the outside temperature is. It's good for the environment and good for my bank balance! Since then I've been really interested in techniques to increase the energy efficieny of houses so that you don't use as much power, and I'm compiling my thought and research here.

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