This document will help comprehend the implementation of Drain Water Heat Recovery Technology and which models are to be used based on the trade-offs. It will also show you the value of each of the trade-offs gained through the use of drain water heat recovery technology.

1. Drain water heat recovery
technology in the Ontario
Building Code Supplementary
Standard SB12 issued
March 15, 2013
May 14, 2013
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3. 1. Introduction
The 2013 release of the Supplementary Standard SB12 has been made to include Drain Water Heat
Recovery Technology in the prescriptive paths. Drain Water Heat Recovery is relevant to the
following sections and have been modified.
2.1.1.2 Energy Efficiency for Zone 1 Buildings (5), (10), and (11)
2.1.1.3. Energy Efficiency for Zone 2 Buildings (8)
2.1.1.11 Drain Water Heat Recovery
This document will help comprehend the implementation of Drain Water Heat Recovery Technology
and which models are to be used based on the trade-offs and to quantify the savings associated to
these trade-offs.
2. Compliance Methods
Methods for achieving Energy Efficiency Compliance OBC SB12.
2.1.1. Prescriptive Compliance Packages
2.1.2. Performance Compliance Path
2.1.3.1. Other Acceptable Compliance Method – Energy Star for New Homes Technical Specification
– Ontario.
Prior to the March 2013 release of the SB12, compliance methods 2.1.2 and 2.1.3.1 was the only
way to incorporate drain water heat recovery as part of the energy efficiency compliance package.
Ontario Energy
Efficiency
Requirements
Energy Star for
New Homes
Compliance
OBC SB12
Performance
Path
Compliance
Prescriptive
Path
Compliance

4. 3. Zones
Zone 1 with less than 5000 heating degree days
Zone 2 with 5000 or more heating degree days
Zone 1 is separated from Zone 2 by a line that runs south of Sault Ste. Marie to Pembroke.
OBC SB12 Zone 1 and Zone 2
4. Prescriptive Compliance
The prescriptive compliance packages include complete building envelope packages that are
deemed to meet an equivalent energy performance of an NRCan EnerGuide 80 rating.
The prescriptive compliance methods include 21 building envelope packages for Zone 1 and 16
packages for Zone 2.
These packages vary based on heating source, insulation, windows and furnace or heating
equipment efficiency and are included in a series of table in SB-12 these tables have been included
at the end of this document for easy reference.

5. 5. Incorporating DWHR to the Prescriptive Compliance.
5.1. Trade off Instructions for Builders in ZONE 1
If you already know what package you are building to, below are four steps to determine your
savings and what model of ThermoDrain to use.
STEP 1. Choose the row that matches the current package you are building to.
STEP 2. Select one of the four trade-offs options that is applicable to your package. Option A, B,
C or D.
Note: An (X) on the row indicates that the trade-off is applicable to your package.
STEP 3. Select one of the two trade-offs options that is applicable to your package. Option E or
F.

7. STEP 4. Choose your ThermoDrain model based on the trade-off options selected in Step 2 and 3.
Example 1: You are building to Zone 1 2.1.1.2.A package J, you selected option A and E, your savings
potential with these trade-offs is $523. You will use TD336B.
Example 2: You are building to Zone 1 2.1.1.2.A package F, you selected option B and E, your savings
potential with these trade-offs is $1,062. You will use TD348B

8. 5.2. Instructions for Builders in ZONE 2
If you already know what package you are building to, below are four steps to determine your
savings and what model of ThermoDrain to use.
STEP 1. Choose the row that matches the current package you are building to.
STEP 2. Select one of the four trade-offs options that is applicable to your package. Option A, B or C.
Note: An (X) on the row indicates that the trade-off is applicable to your package.
STEP 3. Select option D if applicable to your package.

9. STEP 4. Choose your ThermoDrain model based on the trade-off options selected in Step 2 and 3.
Example 1: You are building to ZONE 2 Table 2.1.1.3.B package H, you selected option C. Option D is not
available to your package. Your savings potential with this trade-off is $1438. You will use TD336B.
Example 2: You are building to ZONE 2 Table 2.1.1.3.A package F, you selected option B and D, your
savings potential with these trade-offs is $655. You will use TD348B.
6. Installation of Drain Water Heat Recovery Unit
One Shower -
If there is only one shower, that shower is required to be connected to a drain water heat recovery
unit.
Two Showers -
Where there are two or more showers, drain water from at least two showers are required to be
connected to a single drain water heat recovery unit or to two individual drain water heat recovery
units.
Three or more Showers –
At least 2 showers need to be connected to 1 or 2 DWHR units.
The ThermoDrain must be installed
(a) in an upright position that does not diverge more than 5 degrees from the vertical,
(b) in a position such that the cold water inlet connection is at the bottom of the unit,
(c) downstream of a water softener where a water softener is installed, and
(d) in a conditioned space or on the warm side of the dew point of the wall assembly to avoid
freezing.

10. 7. Conclusion
ThermoDrain drain water heat recovery is one of the easiest, affordable and worry free ways of
increasing a home’s comfort and achieving your energy efficiency goals. It is a tangible product that
can be felt, touch and seen. ThermoDrain units are worry free because unlike other drain water heat
recovery models on the market, they have no braze or joints where leakage can occur and have the
thickest copper walls on the market.