Hello everyone,
Here is the situation:
- Single-family house in the southern Hamburg area; 545 m² (5,856 ft²) plot; 110 m² (1,184 ft²) house footprint; approximately 150 m² (1,615 ft²) roof area (rough estimate)
- Cost for a cistern according to the earthworks contractor’s offer, 5 m³ (1,320 gallons), including delivery and installation, excluding the "interior components" (What does that mean???): €2,150
- Funding from IFB Hamburg: 40%, up to €1,500 --> Net cost: €1,290
Questions:
- Does such a cistern make sense under these conditions?
- At which planning stage should the decision be made? Before construction or possibly only afterwards?
- Does it make sense (also in terms of cost-effectiveness) to supply the toilet flush and washing machine with water from the cistern?
Best regards!
Here is the situation:
- Single-family house in the southern Hamburg area; 545 m² (5,856 ft²) plot; 110 m² (1,184 ft²) house footprint; approximately 150 m² (1,615 ft²) roof area (rough estimate)
- Cost for a cistern according to the earthworks contractor’s offer, 5 m³ (1,320 gallons), including delivery and installation, excluding the "interior components" (What does that mean???): €2,150
- Funding from IFB Hamburg: 40%, up to €1,500 --> Net cost: €1,290
Questions:
- Does such a cistern make sense under these conditions?
- At which planning stage should the decision be made? Before construction or possibly only afterwards?
- Does it make sense (also in terms of cost-effectiveness) to supply the toilet flush and washing machine with water from the cistern?
Best regards!
X
xMisterDx5 Dec 2023 09:41If someone thinks they can save the world with a rainwater cistern and can afford it, great.
However, for those who currently have to watch every penny due to high prices and interest rates, it’s better to skip the cistern because it’s not worth it.
But coming here with “saving the environment” while keeping your lawn green all year round—honestly, is that satire? 😉
However, for those who currently have to watch every penny due to high prices and interest rates, it’s better to skip the cistern because it’s not worth it.
But coming here with “saving the environment” while keeping your lawn green all year round—honestly, is that satire? 😉
@HeimatBauer That still depends on several other factors, such as the size of the cistern (most are about half the size of yours), the type and number or area of plants and lawn, and their shading. Soil conditions (Märkischer sandy soil is quite challenging). I would say your area to cistern volume ratio is quite favorable. Some have a similar or larger area but only half the cistern volume.
And of course, watering your garden using cistern water is more environmentally friendly than using drinking water or creating a gravel garden instead of plants.
And of course, watering your garden using cistern water is more environmentally friendly than using drinking water or creating a gravel garden instead of plants.
C
Costruttrice5 Dec 2023 10:28Our architect also considered a cistern unnecessary, calling it uneconomical. While he wasn’t entirely wrong, we decided to install one anyway. Not because money is no object or because I want to save the world, but because water use restrictions will likely become the norm rather than the exception, and for good reason. It’s no longer just about keeping the lawn green all year round, but about ensuring that plants (including vegetables) can survive during extended heatwaves.
I’m still debating why we didn’t at least set up the rainwater system to supply toilet flushing as well. Drinking water is really too precious to be used in that way.
I’m still debating why we didn’t at least set up the rainwater system to supply toilet flushing as well. Drinking water is really too precious to be used in that way.
M
motorradsilke5 Dec 2023 15:40WilderSueden schrieb:
And you want to water the 1200sqm (12,917 sq ft) twice a week with treated drinking water, in an area that complains about drought and water shortage. Excellent
No, I have a well.
But this was about cost-effectiveness, not moral issues.
H
HeimatBauer5 Dec 2023 18:29Costruttrice schrieb:
I’m still struggling with why we didn’t at least make the toilet flushing use rainwater. Drinking water is really too precious to use for that.In general, yes. But the question is how much technology you want to bring into the house, and having a second water circuit is quite a commitment. For me, it meant too many potential points of failure, and I’ve experienced firsthand several times what it’s like when the system breaks down. So far, I only know people who have regretted installing it.
S
Schnubbihh14 Jan 2024 20:57I would like to get your opinion on the initial quotes I received: (each including delivery, groundworks, installation, but excluding accessories)
(1) 5000-liter (1300-gallon) plastic cistern: €2,150–2,450 (depending on the quote)
(2) 5000-liter (1300-gallon) concrete cistern: €3,000
(3) 10,000-liter (2600-gallon) plastic cistern: €4,000
Since, as mentioned, I am receiving a 40% subsidy (limited to acquisition costs of €3,750), I am unsure whether to go with option 1 (probably the most economical) or to upgrade directly to 10,000 liters so that I don’t run out during really dry periods (which is the main purpose of a cistern).
Concrete vs. plastic is more or less a matter of preference or price, right?
(1) 5000-liter (1300-gallon) plastic cistern: €2,150–2,450 (depending on the quote)
(2) 5000-liter (1300-gallon) concrete cistern: €3,000
(3) 10,000-liter (2600-gallon) plastic cistern: €4,000
Since, as mentioned, I am receiving a 40% subsidy (limited to acquisition costs of €3,750), I am unsure whether to go with option 1 (probably the most economical) or to upgrade directly to 10,000 liters so that I don’t run out during really dry periods (which is the main purpose of a cistern).
Concrete vs. plastic is more or less a matter of preference or price, right?
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