Ecodrain VT1000 User manual

Ecodrain VT1000
Selection and Installation
Guide for Residential Applications
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PRECISION
ENGINEERING
LEADS TO HIGH
PERFORMANCE

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Lead Free Brass Cast Manifold,
with CNC Machiming
Standard Copper Drain Line
Die Formed Heat Transfer Tubes
Patent Pending Engineered
Die Formed Turbulator Inside
High Quality Brazed Connection
Female 3/4” Solder Connection allows
for direct connection to 3/4” copper tube
or 3/4 Male Solder to PEX Fitting

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WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE BOX
EcodrainTM VT1000 heat exchanger
Flexible Coupling for Copper to Plastic Drain x 2
(NOT INCLUDED)
Tools
Saw for cutting plastic pipe (for Retrofit)
Solder torch, wire, flux
Level
HEX wrench 5/16” (8mm) for Flexible Coupling
Note: For copper drain lines, do not use the included couplings. Instead use
copper to copper flexible couplings (Not Included)
COMPATIBILITY
The EcodrainTM VT1000 is compatible with all water
heating technologies as well as with all types of
plumbing (copper, pex, pvc, other) and drainage
systems (ABS, PVC, Copper, Cast Iron)
DRAIN PIPE SUPPORT
If installing an EcodrainTM VT1000 into a cast iron
or copper drain pipe system, install structural
supports for the drainpipe above where the ecodrain
is to be installed, and below if necessary. Cutting
an unsupported cast iron or copper drain pipe may
damage the drain system. It is recommended that
all drain pipe types be supported near the ceiling
level of the room in which the EcodrainTM is to be
installed.
INSULATION
Insulation will not have any meaningful impact on
heat transfer. Insulation may be used to limit the
impact of condensation on the surface of the cold
water pipes. If installed behind a wall, insulation
is recommended.
HEAT EXCHANGER SUPPORT
The EcodrainTM must be supported either by the
piping system or external supports. The flexible
couplings used to connect the heat exchanger to the
drain line are not adequate supports and must not
be used as such.
WATER SOFTENER
If the home has a water softener, install the unit
downstream (after) the water softener.
Parts (optional)
3/4 Cold water fittings

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Wall Clearance Rerouted Drain Line
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT
An ecodrain VT1000 requires a clearance between
any adjacent structure or wall. The minimum
clearance is 3/4”, greater clearance is preferred as
this allows for easier alignment. If the clearance is
less than 3/4”, the ecodrain VT1000 may not fit and
rerouting the drain pipe may be necessary. When re-
routing the drain line, it is recommended that space
is available for at least 12” of straight vertical pipe
after the pipe bends to ensure that a falling film is
properly established. This may require a smaller
heat exchanger.
At least 3” of pipe is required below the heat
exchanger to ensure adequate space to install the
mechanical coupling.
The clearance for the heat exchanger between the
top pipe and bottom pipe should be approximately
½” longer than the total heat exchanger length.

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COLD WATER CONNECTIONS
The EcodrainTM manifolds have ¾” female connec-
tors designed for sweat fitting either a copper pipe
or a male PEX fitting. The lead free brass material
C83470 is 96% copper and solders like pure copper.
It is recommended to follow standard soldering
procedure. It is important to do a leak test after
soldering the sweat fittings. Do not exceed the
maximum operating pressure of 100 psi.
DRAIN WATER CONNECTIONS
The EcodrainTM must have the same nominal
diameter as the drain stack to which it is being
connected. For example, if the drain stack is 3”,
the EcodrainTM must also be a 3” model.
¾” female
connector
manifold
VERTICAL ORIENTATION
The EcodrainTM VT1000 must be installed in a vertical orientation only.
Installing on a slope, even moderate, will reduce the performance
significantly. For horizontal or sloped applications, contact EcodrainTM
for products specifically designed for these applications.
Check with your local building or energy codes for the maximum
allowable deviation from vertical. Use a level in at least 3 positions
along the circumference to ensure that the unit is level.
THE HEAT EXCHANGER IS SYMMETRICAL
It is recommended to have a section of pipe of at least 12” above the
EcodrainTM to ensure that a proper falling film we be established at
the beginning of the heat exchanger at that drain water will be evenly
spread across the inner surface of the heat exchanger.
Level

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CONFIGURATION 1
Split the preheated outlet to both the water heater
inlet and the cold side of the shower fixture.
CONFIGURATION 2
Connect the preheated outlet of the EcodrainTM
to the inlet of the water heater.
PLUMBING OPTIONS
The EcodrainTM should be installed downstream
(after) a water softener or filtration equipment.
Installation must always follow the rules of the
plumbing code. When in doubt, check with your
plumbing inspector. The Ecodrain VT1000 is
certified lead free according to NSF 372. It must
only be connected on the cold water line leading
to the water heater and/or the cold side of the
shower fixtures. Configuration 1, in which water
is preheated to both the water heater and the cold
side of the shower fixture(s) is called equal flow and
provides the greatest savings. Configuration 2 and
Configuration 3 are options when Configuration 1
is not possible.
CONFIGURATIONS
When installing in a home with two showers
connected to separate drain stacks:
When two or more showers use two separate drain
stacks, then an EcodrainTM can be installed on each
drain stack (See configuration 4,5,6). On the cold
water side, the two EcodrainTM units can be
connected in parallel such that the preheated
outlet of the one unit is connected to the inlet of
the second unit and the outlet of the second unit is
connected to the water heater.
If the layout of the home makes this difficult,
one or both of the cold water outlets can be
connected to the cold side of the nearest shower
mixing valve as in configuration 2 above.

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CONFIGURATION 3
Connect the preheated outlet of the EcodrainTM to the cold side of the shower mixing valve. Note that in
this configuration, as the water to the cold side of the shower is preheated, the overall temperature of the
shower will rise and the mixing valve will need to be set at a lower temperature. Caution must be taken to
avoid scalding.

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CONFIGURATION 4
Two showers with cold water connected in series.

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CONFIGURATION 5
Two showers with one preheating to the water heater only.

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CONFIGURATION 6
Two showers, shower preheat only.

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STEPS FOR
INSTALLATION
Please read these instructions before installing any EcodrainTM unit.
The EcodrainTM may be installed on any level where there is access to
a sufficiently tall section of vertical drainpipe that carries drain water.
It is usually best to install at the lowest point possible.
If using PEX tubing, it may be advantageous to solder the PEX fittings
to the heat exchanger before starting step 1.
Note: Only a qualified person should install an EcodrainTM

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DETAIL: RUBBER SLEEVE
OF FLEXIBLE COUPLING
large side
soap
soap
EcodrainTM
goes here Plastic Pipe
goes here
1
Measure Drain
2
Cut and
de-burr drain
4
Place the rubber sleeves of
the flexible couplings onto the
drain pipe and add soap to
the inner surface
3
Remove Steel bands
from Flexible Couplings
steel band
rubber sleeve
FLEXIBLE COUPLING

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DETAIL: PEX COLD WATER
CONNECTION OPTION
DETAIL: COPPER TUBE COLD
WATER CONNECTION OPTION
PEX
crimp
3/4 male solder
to PEX fitting
(not included)
PEX tube
3/4 copper
tube
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Insert the heat
exchanger into
the flexible
couplings
6
Put the steel bands over the
rubber sleeves, level the heat
exchanger and then tighten the
HEX nuts on the steel bands
7
Connect the cold water lines
NOTE: COLD WATER INLET
MUST BE AT BOTTOM

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LIMITED WARRANTY
When the product is used for its intended purpose
(standard residential or commercial plumbing
system and operating temperature and pressure,
the use of non-caustic or corrosive of high mineral
content drain water) the manufacturer offers a
limited non-transferable warranty of ten years on
all products against manufacture defects from the
date of purchase. The accessories manufactured
by a third party and supplied with theEcodrainTM are
covered by their respective manufacturer warranties
and are not covered by the above warranty.
If, during the warranty period, a defect due to
manufacturing or workmanship occurs that
is covered by the warranty, EcodrainTM will
proceed, entirely at its discretion, with the repair
or replacement of the defective unit. Since the
installation and use of the product is outside the
control of EcodrainTM Inc., no warranty is offered
by the manufacturer for problems resulting from
installation. It is the responsibility of the purchaser
to properly select the product and ensure that the
product and installation procedures conform to
local laws and codes in effect.
In no case is EcodrainTM Inc responsible for
prejudice to material, direct or indirect or as an
accessory to other damages and/or expenses
accrued, even if foreseable, and even where
resulting from the confirmed failure or the apparent
defect known by the purchaser. In no case is
EcodrainTM Inc responsible for the premature
wear of its products due to the properties of the
products used in conjunction with its products. It
is the purchaser’s responsibility to ensure that the
products used in conjunction with the EcodrainTM
are compatible with its specified and intended use.
The warranty in this document is non-transferable.
The warranty will not be honored if the original
serial number assigned by EcodrainTM Inc. is not
legible or has been removed or has worn away
with time.
This warranty does not cover defects caused by
damage in transit, abuse, accident, negligence or
repairs made by others. In the case of a defective
product, contact the reseller in your area where
you originally purchased the unit. All repairs or
modifications made without the specific written
authorization of EcodrainTM Inc will render this
warranty void without prejudice against EcodrainTM
Inc.

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