Water Heaters

Heated water is used by most industrial and commercial establishments, however, each customer’s specific requirements vary in total volume, flow rate, usage profiles (i.e. peaking or intermittent demand versus continuous usage) and operating pressure and temperature needed. When designing hot water systems, capacity should be planned to meet these specific requirements without wasting energy or water while minimizing the installation, maintenance and operating costs of the system.

Because there are a variety of types of equipment and models available and because there is flexibility in how equipment is used, a water heating system can be designed in a number of ways for a single building application. For example, water can be heated centrally or at the point of use. The choice of equipment type and location of water heating equipment should be made evaluating both initial purchase and lifecycle operating costs.

Energy Efficiency Considerations

To optimize the efficiency of a hot water system, the following points should be considered:

1. Water heaters of different sizes and insulation have different standby losses.
2. A properly designed, sized and insulated distribution system is necessary to deliver minimum water temperatures satisfactory for the specific use of the water.
3. Heat traps between recirculation mains and infrequently used branch lines reduce heat loss from these lines.
4. Controls of circulating pumps can be installed so that they are operated only as needed to maintain required water temperature. This will prevent unnecessary heat loss from return lines.
5. Controls to shut down circulators during building vacancy reduces circulating losses.
6. Waste heat can be recovered by inserting heat exchanger to reduce energy costs and requirements.

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