Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to install a horizontal Zypho^® under a bath or shower?

Extremely easy. Unlike many energy-saving technologies, they do not require expensive specialist labour to install. Our demonstration videos show that anyone familiar with basic plumbing could fit one, but certainly any plumber could.

Is the coil open to the elements, and can it clog with debris?

The coil is open for maximum heat transference, but debris should not affect the coil due to our customised filter in the drain sump.

Does this impact Legionella safety due to a drop in required water temperature?

The short answer is no:

1. The temperatures that the cold water is preheated to are below the Legionella growth range.
2. There is no hold up of any water in troughs or tanks – it is constantly exchanging heat and then going to drain.
3. There is no residual hold-up of wastewater in the Zypho unit, as it has a built-in angle to drain out. Provided it has been installed with a spirit level as per instructions, no stagnant water can ever build up.

How much space is needed?

Very little. The horizontal Zypho is around 540mm in length and 90mm in depth, so it fits easily under baths and shower trays. The vertical Zypho for two-storey properties fits in the waste water drainage pipe and measures from 1600mm to 2000 mm, depending on which model you choose.

Will we need one application per shower?

It’s possible to run more than one shower off of each unit, but it will depend on the layout of the building and where the showers are located.

Talk to us and we can advise.

Do you need a special thermostat on the shower, or do you turn it down manually as it warms up?

A normal thermostatic mixer valve should take care of it without user intervention.

In terms of maintenance, does it require something in particular? Does it need to be accessible?

Like any plumbing, it’s good practice to keep things accessible, but no likely maintenance is required. We recommend an occasional (6 monthly) dose of standard drain cleaner to help keep the copper coil bright and operating efficiently.

Can you get the recovered heat back to a storage tank?

Not really – the temperatures are pretty low.

We heat water from ~10°C to 20 – 25°C. That said, you can preheat the CW feed to your thermal store.

Where can I buy the unit?

Call us, and we’ll either sell to you directly or pass you on to one of our merchant partners.

Is there a Zypho model for bathwater only?

No, we don’t supply systems to recover heat from baths. This would involve dropping the bath into a separate tank somewhere and then recovering the heat, which would be complex and bulky. We only recover heat from continuous hot water flows, such as showers.

What certificates does Zypho have?

See the full list of Zypho’s certifications below.