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== Instructions == | == Instructions == | ||
1) Enter your address in the following format '55555 Rainwater Lane, City, State, Zip' and click CENTER MAP to show your | 1) Enter your address in the following format '55555 Rainwater Lane, City, State, Zip' and click CENTER MAP to show your structure.<br /> | ||
2) Click on each corner of your home's roof. You must either go in a counter-clockwise or clockwise order when selecting each corner.<br /> | 2) Click on each corner of your home's roof. You must either go in a counter-clockwise or clockwise order when selecting each corner.<br /> | ||
3) Click the GO button to see your rainwater catchment system specifications using default values.<br /> | 3) Click the GO button to see your rainwater catchment system specifications using default values.<br /> | ||
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== Monthly Water Usage == | == Monthly Water Usage == | ||
The monthly water usage should be entered in gallons. Clicking on the autofill link will let you enter different usage amounts for each month. With autofill on it will assume that you use the same amount each month. We assumed that the average US person uses 3000 gallons per month. This assumption was made from data provided by [http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html].<br /> | The monthly water usage should be entered in gallons. Clicking on the autofill link will let you enter different usage amounts for each month. With autofill on it will assume that you use the same amount each month. You can determine your monthly water usage by looking at your water bill or measuring the amount yourself. Estimate the flow rate of each water source in your structure using a stopwatch and a container with a known volume. Then estimate how long you use each source per day. Convert this into usage per month by multiplying by 30. Add up the usage for each source and you have your monthly water usage. We assumed that the average US person uses 3000 gallons per month. This assumption was made from data provided by [http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html].<br /> | ||
== Tank Size == | == Tank Size == | ||
If you currently have a storage tank or know what size tank you will be using enter the size of the tank. Once entered the output data will automatically update to your specification.<br /> | If you currently have a storage tank or know what size tank you will be using enter the size of the tank. Once entered the output data will automatically update to your specification. Enter the volume of the tank.<br /> | ||
== Tank Distance == | == Tank Distance == | ||
This is the distance from your | This is the distance from your [[First-flush device]] to the storage tank. This will help determine the pipe size required for your system.<br /> | ||
== Roof Material == | == Roof Material == | ||
Choose the roof material of your structure. If the material is not listed, choose the material that is the closest in comparison. This will help determine your collection potential as each material has an efficiency rating. | |||
== Rainfall == | |||
Enter the total rainfall per month of your region. This should be total rainfall and not rainfall per time. This data is automatically entered by choosing your structure on the map. You are welcome to change this data if you used another source to get your rainfall data. | |||
== Area == | |||
Enter the footprint of your structure if you would not like to use the map to calculate this or if your structure cannot be found on the map. The footprint of your structure is area of a horizontal cross-section of your home. This is not the surface area of your roof as we assume that rain will be falling straight-down most of the time. | |||
Revision as of 18:19, 10 October 2011
The Rainwater Collection Calculator was created to assist in building a rainwater catchment system. Instructions on how to use the tool as well as the basis for all calculations will be presented here.
Creators
Created by Daniel Cobb with Mike Despars and Lonny Grafman.
Instructions
1) Enter your address in the following format '55555 Rainwater Lane, City, State, Zip' and click CENTER MAP to show your structure.
2) Click on each corner of your home's roof. You must either go in a counter-clockwise or clockwise order when selecting each corner.
3) Click the GO button to see your rainwater catchment system specifications using default values.
4) Enter your information into the fields below the map in order to see more personalized data. All of these fields have default values and are therefore optional.
5) If a mistake is made you can click the RESET PAGE button to reset the map and all data fields.
6) In the list of specifications click the graph link to see a physical representation of the data.
7) To change the units from standard to metric simply click (units : US) found at the top of the list of outputs.
Dynamic Map
The dynamic map was modified from the version found on http://save-the-rain.com/world-bank/. This map is coded using the GoogleMaps API. We chose to use a different data set for the rainfall data. We used the data provided by http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ghcnm/v2.php?.
Monthly Water Usage
The monthly water usage should be entered in gallons. Clicking on the autofill link will let you enter different usage amounts for each month. With autofill on it will assume that you use the same amount each month. You can determine your monthly water usage by looking at your water bill or measuring the amount yourself. Estimate the flow rate of each water source in your structure using a stopwatch and a container with a known volume. Then estimate how long you use each source per day. Convert this into usage per month by multiplying by 30. Add up the usage for each source and you have your monthly water usage. We assumed that the average US person uses 3000 gallons per month. This assumption was made from data provided by http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html.
Tank Size
If you currently have a storage tank or know what size tank you will be using enter the size of the tank. Once entered the output data will automatically update to your specification. Enter the volume of the tank.
Tank Distance
This is the distance from your First-flush device to the storage tank. This will help determine the pipe size required for your system.
Roof Material
Choose the roof material of your structure. If the material is not listed, choose the material that is the closest in comparison. This will help determine your collection potential as each material has an efficiency rating.
Rainfall
Enter the total rainfall per month of your region. This should be total rainfall and not rainfall per time. This data is automatically entered by choosing your structure on the map. You are welcome to change this data if you used another source to get your rainfall data.
Area
Enter the footprint of your structure if you would not like to use the map to calculate this or if your structure cannot be found on the map. The footprint of your structure is area of a horizontal cross-section of your home. This is not the surface area of your roof as we assume that rain will be falling straight-down most of the time.