In the world of building design and energy-efficient construction, material choice often makes the difference between a good system and a great one. For developers, architects and M&E consultants, that’s certainly true when it comes to vertical waste water heat recovery (WWHR) systems.
While many manufacturers still rely on copper for their vertical designs, Zypho has taken a different path, one grounded in long-term reliability, practical risk management and real-world performance. By adopting its patented marine-grade 316L stainless steel across its PiPe vertical range, Zypho has engineered a solution that’s not only the most efficient vertical solution on the market but also stands up to the realities of site conditions and long-term use.
Why Stainless Steel matters
Vertical WWHR units are installed in shower stacks or risers to reclaim heat from waste water as it flows down the drain. The recovered energy is then used to pre-heat incoming cold mains water, reducing the energy required to produce hot water, that can deliver massive savings in both new builds and retrofits.
However, the environment in which these systems operate is far from simple. Warm waste water often carries residues from soaps, shampoos, salts and cleaning products, all of which can be chemically aggressive to copper over time. As such, corrosion resistance is a vital consideration for long-term reliability.
Furthermore, unlike stainless steel, copper is highly attractive to “light fingers” and renowned to being prone to theft on site.
Add to this, copper price volatility and the need for predictable procurement, and the case for stainless steel becomes clear.
Why Zypho chose Stainless Steel
At Zypho, we believe that all products should be built to last. This is why our technical team chose marine-grade 316L stainless steel for our vertical units, to provide a solution that goes far beyond short-term performance and engineers out any issues associated with copper. It’s about designing for the entire lifecycle of a building.
Corrosion Resistance and Longevity
Stainless steel is exceptionally resistant to acids, alkalis and salts found in shower waste water. Unlike copper, which can suffer from pitting or pinhole leaks into the long term, stainless steel maintains its integrity for decades.
Reduced On-Site Risk
Copper is notorious for going missing on site and a need for costly replacements. But with its low resale value, stainless steel dramatically reduces the risk of theft or tampering on active construction sites. For developers, that’s one less problem.
Procurement Stability
Stainless steel also enhances procurement stability. Its price and availability are far less volatile than copper, which helps project managers and contractors forecast material costs accurately across multi-phase developments.
Performance through Design Innovation
While stainless steel conducts heat slightly less effectively than copper, Zypho has addressed that challenge through smart engineering. By increasing the heat transfer area and optimising the flow paths inside the exchanger, Zypho ensures its vertical systems achieve excellent thermal recovery, without compromising on robustness or ease of installation.
Vertical Solutions for every project
Zypho recognises that no two projects are the same. That’s why Zypho offers a range of vertical WWHR units in varying lengths and capacities, designed to fit different building heights, flow rates and layout constraints.
The products in this range are the Zypho PiPe60, Zypho PiPe65 and Zypho PiPe75 which combine stainless steel durability with high energy recovery and simple, low-maintenance operation.
| Specification | PiPe60 | PiPe65 | PiPe75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Exchanger Material | Marine grade 316L Stainless Steel | ||
| Application | Vertical installation in shower stacks (first floor and above) | ||
| Minimum Installation Height (approx) | 1,600mm | 1,950mm | 2,400mm |
| Rated Flow Rate | Up to 25 L/min | ||
| Efficiency | Up to 65% | Up to 76.6% | Up to 82% |
| Body Material | Stainless steel and PVC composite | ||
| Connections | 40mm waste inlet / 22mm preheat outlet | ||
| Certifications | WRAS, KIWA, SAP-listed | ||
| Warranty | 5 Years | ||
| Maintenance | Passive fit-and-forget design | ||
| Applications | Apartments, hotels, student housing, multi-story residential | ||
What this means for specifiers
For building professionals, Zypho’s patented vertical WWHR solutions offer several tangible advantages over copper:
- Proven durability: unlike copper, 316L marine-grade stainless steel construction does not corrode in shower waste
- Reduced on-site risk: Copper is highly valuable and “goes missing”. Stainless steel does not suffer this problem
- Lower price volatility: Copper prices are notoriously volatile, unlike Stainless steel
- Strong performance: with up to 82 % energy recovery in optimal conditions
- Low maintenance: operation with no moving parts
- Multiple size options: to suit different building heights and design layouts
- Full certification: and compliance with UK water and energy standards
Whether you’re working on a compact housing scheme or a large-scale apartment project, Zypho’s vertical WWHR range offers a flexible solution that delivers reliable efficiency, project certainty and long-term value.
