Four Things You Need to Know About Harvesting Rainwater

Did you know that you're wasting money every time it rains? That's because the rain that falls on your house and eventually makes its way back into the ground could be used to help you save on your utility bills. Collecting rainwater and using it for your household needs is about more than just being environmentally friendly- it helps you cut down on your bills at the end of the month. Harvesting rainwater, however, takes a little more effort than just putting a bucket out when it's about to rain. Below is a brief overview of what you can use rainwater for and how to set up a rain harvesting system.

What can you use rainwater for?

Basically, you can use rainwater for anything you and the law says you can. Many people use rainwater for toilets, laundry, and gardening, for example. Others use it for bathing and showering as well. It's important to know what you'll be using it for since that will determine the system you ultimately setup. Keep in mind that some local jurisdictions place restrictions on what harvested rain can be used for.

What's your catchment area?

When it comes to harvesting rainwater at home, your catchment area is basically just a fancy word for your roof. About 80 percent of the rain that falls on your house can ultimately be stored and recycled. However, some roofing materials will absorb a bit of the water. Other materials, such as steel, will allow the rain to run off so that more of it can be harvested.

How will you get the rain to your storage unit?

Your conveyance system is how you get the rainwater from your roof to your storage unit. You'll need a high-quality network of gutters so that you are capturing as much of the rainwater as possible. Some gutters are specifically designed to prevent leaves and other debris from getting into your gutters. You can also add pre-filtration elements to help remove smaller pieces of debris.

How will you store and filter your rainwater?

Finally, you will have either an aboveground or underground storage tank to hold your harvested water. Storage tanks come in all types of materials and sizes, so which one is best for you will depend on your tastes and needs. Whether or not you choose to treat and filter your water will depend on what you're using it for. If you plan on drinking it or using it for baths and showers, then you need to invest in a top-of-the-line filtration system. If you're only using it to water the plants, however, then filtration is less of a concern.

Money may not grow on trees, but with a rain harvesting system it really does fall from the sky. If you want to start saving on your utility bills and take steps to making your home more environmentally friendly then you should talk to a certified professional, like one from Clark Tanks, today about installing your own rain harvesting system.