Hot Water Generation & Storage

Hot water is used for washing and cooking.

The temperature required is about 45oC.

Water is usually generated at a higher temperature (55oC to 65oC) in a

vessel and mixed with cold water at mixing taps or mixing valves.

It is better to store water at a temperature much higher than body

temperature (37oC) to reduce risk of bacteria growth and other water borne
diseases.

Hot water service systems may be divided into two main types:

1. Local systems

2. Central systems
Local hot water systems can be further
subdivided into instantaneous heaters and
storage heaters:

· Instantaneous -
Electric type with output of between 0.02 litre/s
and 0.05 litre/s, electrical loading from 3kW to
10kW.

· Storage cylinders -
for hot water - 7 to 70 litres capacity, with 3kW
electrical heating elements.
Central systems usually consist of a boiler or hot water heater coupled by
circulating piping to a large storage vessel.

The combination of the two will be so proportioned as to provide adequate

service to the draw-off points, to match the predetermined pattern of usage.

For instance, in a hospital there may be a continuous demand for hot

water all day and in this case a small storage capacity with a rapid
recovery period (large boiler power) is probably appropriate.

Conversely, for a sports pavilion where there may be a single sudden

demand following a game, a large storage capacity and a long recovery
period (small boiler power) may be adequate.

Most central systems use indirect hot water cylinder(s) since direct
systems can require frequent cleaning as scale deposits build up inside
boilers.

When an indirect system is used the primary and secondary water

systems have to be vented separately - primary water via. the feed and
expansion (F & E) tank and secondary hot water via. the cold water storage
cistern.
 Open vent pipe Open vent pipe
Feed & Expansion Tank
Cold Water Storage Tank
Roofspace
Cold feed pipe to Hot
water cylinder
Shower
Hot Water Service head
Cold water service
pipe
pipe
Indirect Hot Water First Floor
Cylinder suitable for
pressure operation Water Bath Basin Shower
Closet mixing
valve
Mains Water Service

Primary flow and

return to HW cylinder
Ground Floor
Sink

Boiler
Incoming Mains
Stop valve under sink Water Service
in Kitchen or Utility
Room
Traditional or Un-Pressurised Hot and Cold Water Plumbing
System for a House
The above diagram shows an indirect hot water cylinder, known as
indirect because the hot water from the boiler (primary circulation) doesn't
come into direct contact with the hot water in the cylinder (secondary
circulation) - this water being used for washing and cooking.

The hot water cylinder, indirect coil and pipework are made of copper.
It is feasible to use ‘plastic’ pipework for this and polybutylene is more
frequently installed especially in concealed locations.

A vent is required on the hot water outlet pipe at the top of the cylinder to
allow for water expansion and prevent the cylinder becoming pressurised
when heated.

The temperature of water in the cylinder must be controlled in accordance

with the building regulations.

This is achieved by an immersion thermostat in the cylinder or clamp-on

thermostat either switching on and off a pump or control valve.
An alternative method of control is to use a thermostatically controlled valve
which has the sensing head on the cylinder.
 Open vent pipe Open vent pipe
Feed & Expansion Tank
Cold Water Storage Tank

Cold feed pipe to Hot

water cylinder
Cold water Typically 1.5 metres
Hot Water Service
pipe service
pipe
Indirect Hot Water Shower head
Cylinder suitable for
pressure operation Water Bath Basin Shower mixing valve
Closet
Thermostat set at
55oC to 60oC.
Mains Water Service

Primary flow and

return to HW cylinder

Sink
Twin impellor
Shower Pump

Boiler
Incoming Mains
Stop valve under sink Water Service
in Kitchen or Utility
Room
Plumbing System with Shower Pump
Since the water flow from the shower head relies on the head of water
between the tank water level and the shower outlet, then there will be
inadequate flow in a first floor shower.

There are two methods used in domestic installations to overcome poor water
flow at showers;

•Pressurise the whole hot water system.

•Install a shower pump, this is installed on the Hot Water Service (HWS) and
Cold Water Service (CWS) to the shower mixing valve.

A separate shower pump can be installed in the roofspace or hot press, or a

combined unit including mixing valve can be installed in the shower area.
Usually the cheaper option since pressurised cylinders cost up to 6 times
more than un-pressurised cylinders.
Hot Water Cylinders

Hot water is stored in copper cylinders in domestic premises.

In larger installations thicker wall copper cylinders can be used or copper
lined steel cylinders.
Thin wall copper cylinders cannot withstand much pressure so stainless
steel vessels are used for pressurised water systems.
The photographs below show some alternative cylinders for domestic hot
water storage.
Recycled Water
Recycled water may come from two sources; rainwater and greywater.
Greywater is the wastewater from sinks, baths, showers and domestic
appliances.

A greywater use system captures this water before it reaches the sewer (or
septic tank system).

Kitchen sink or dishwasher wastewater is not generally collected for use as

it has high levels of contamination from detergents, fats and food waste,
making filtering and treatment difficult and costly.
Rainwater can be diverted from the roof drainage system to be used in
other appliances.

Greywater systems can be more costly than rainwater recycled systems

since the water needs to be well filtered and treated to make it usable.
The cheaper option in areas of moderate to high rainfall throughout the year
is to recycle rainwater.
 Rainwater Recycling System for House

Recycled
Rainwater supply to 2-storey House
WC cisterns
Roofspace

Recycled Rainwater
Storage Tank

Downpipe from
roof gutter
Recycled
Rainwate
r
to tank
Foul Water
manhole

Ground
level
Filter

Level sensors
Underground Rainwater
Surface Tank overflow storage tank
Water Submersi
manhole ble Pump