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Every time it rains, thousands of gallons of perfectly usable water run off your roof and straight into storm drains. Rainwater harvesting captures that free resource and puts it to work in your garden, lawn, and even certain household uses. It reduces your water bill, eases pressure on municipal water systems, and gives your plants water they actually prefer since rainwater is naturally soft and free of chlorine.
How Much Water Can You Collect?
For every 1 inch of rain falling on 1,000 square feet of roof, you collect approximately 600 gallons of water. The average American home has about 1,500 square feet of roof area. In a region that gets 30 inches of rain per year, that is roughly 27,000 gallons of free water annually. Even in drier areas, a 1,500-square-foot roof in Phoenix with 8 inches of annual rainfall can capture about 7,200 gallons per year.
Basic Components of a Rain Barrel System
A simple system has five parts: your roof and gutters, a downspout diverter, the storage barrel, a screen to keep out debris, and a spigot near the bottom to connect a hose.
Choosing Your Rain Barrel
Standard rain barrels hold 50 to 65 gallons and cost $50 to $120. Look for UV-resistant plastic, a fine mesh screen on top, an overflow valve, and a spigot a few inches above the bottom. For larger storage, connect multiple barrels in series — three connected 55-gallon barrels give you 165 gallons. Larger cisterns holding 200 to 1,000 gallons are available for $200 to $800.
Installation in 5 Steps
Step one: choose a downspout location near your garden. Step two: create a level, stable platform elevated 12 to 18 inches for better water pressure. Step three: install the downspout diverter. Step four: connect the overflow outlet away from your foundation. Step five: attach the screen filter and secure the lid to prevent mosquito breeding. Total installation time: one to two hours.
Legal Considerations
Rainwater harvesting is legal in most US states. Check your local regulations before installing — the trend is strongly toward encouraging it, with many municipalities offering rebates.
Using Your Rainwater
Rainwater is ideal for garden irrigation, lawn watering, car washing, and filling bird baths. Plants prefer rainwater over municipal water because it contains no chlorine or fluoride and has a naturally balanced pH.
Maintenance
Clean your gutter screens every few months. Flush the barrel once or twice per season. Drain the barrel completely before winter in cold climates to prevent freezing damage.
Cost Savings
A basic rain barrel system costing $80 to $150 can save $50 to $200 per year on water bills. For homes with larger gardens, the savings increase proportionally. The payback period is typically one season for a basic setup.
Start with a single barrel on your most-used downspout. Once you see how quickly it fills and how much your garden loves the rainwater, you will want to add more.
**Top Rain Barrels on Amazon:**
– [RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BYKCPO/?tag=gbhteam-21) — Best overall
– [Algreen Savannah Rain Barrel 65-Gallon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VIXVUQ/?tag=gbhteam-21) — Great design
– [Good Ideas Rain Wizard 50](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MQXOL6/?tag=gbhteam-21) — Popular choice