MODULE 4

Water Heaters Applications in Residential Buildings

October 7, 2021

The Relevance of Water Heaters in Residential Buildings;

Some ancient civilizations had public communal for heated baths, with a few of them still in
existence and in use even today. The earliest public baths were found in the ruins of the Indus
Valley civilization. The Ancient Greeks, the Romans, The British Empire, Japan, Indonesia
amongst other countries had public baths.

The invention of the water heater was a major breakthrough in our modern age and is still
considered one of the hardest working appliances in your home. Thanks to these inventors
and their invention, we have on-demand hot water supply from our faucets.

TYPES OF WATER HEATERS

It's a good idea to know the different types of water heaters available before you
purchase one:

1. Conventional storage water heaters - offer a ready reservoir (storage tank) of hot water

Conventional storage water

heaters remain the most
popular type of water
heating system for the home.

HOW THEY WORK

A single-family storage water heater offers a ready reservoir from 20 to 80 gallons of

hot water. It operates by releasing hot water from the top of the tank when you turn
on the hot water tap. To replace that hot water, cold water enters the bottom of the tank,
ensuring that the tank is always full.

2. Tank less or demand-type water heaters heat water directly without the use of a storage
tank. Tank less water heaters are able to produce instantaneous hot water through super
heated coils. These coils fill up with water the instant you demand it, offering near
limitless hot water for your home.
 Pros:

 Instant hot water: Rather than waiting for cool water to turn into warm water,
and warm water to turn into hot water, tankless water heaters provide instant hot
water the moment you demand it. Because tankless water heaters only heat water
when you need it, they require less overall energy, especially compared to a
conventional heater that maintains a constant warm well.
 Space-saving: One of the most notable benefits of a tankless water heater is its
compact size. Without the need for a constant reservoir of water, tankless models
don’t require any bulky storage space. This makes them easy to mount on walls
or store in compact nooks and crannies.
 Lower month-to-month costs: Suiting up your home with a tankless water
heater effectively lower your month-to-month costs, saving you hundreds of
dollars on an annual scale, too. The decreased need for energy flow allows you
to enjoy the fruits of your power-saving choice.

Cons:

 Higher initial cost: Even the most affordable tankless heater options begin at
$1, 000 whereas the average conventional water heater will run around $500. While
there are many benefits to making the switch, those on a budget will have to wait
some time before making up the cost differential.

 Limited supply of hot water: For smaller families, a tankless water heater is
perfect—for a larger family, the supply of hot water may run out should too many
demands being made at a given moment. For example, if someone is taking a
shower while the dishwasher is running, the hot water demand will likely go cold.

3. Heat pump water heaters –

Move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly for providing
hot water. Heat pump water heaters, also known as hybrid water heaters, are designed
to work without directly generating heat. By using the heat in the ground and
surrounding air, the only electricity used is dedicated to moving heat from point A to
point B. Go to link below for further info;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMdZr-TAga0
Solar water heaters

Use the sun's heat to provide hot water. Solar water heaters depend on the power of
the sun. They work by using roof-mounted panels that transfer energy through a
closed- loop system that connects to the water tank which then warms the water.

Pros:

 Uses renewable energy: Solar water heaters are the most energy-efficient
water heater options available today. Because solar power is
completely dependent on sunshine, it can be harnessed wherever the
sun’s rays reach on any given day.
 Lower utility bills: In addition to being incredibly eco-friendly, solar
panels are also incredibly cost-friendly. While the initial installation
cost could put a dent in your wallet, you could significantly reduce
both your water and electricity bills when you make the solar switch.
 Tax credit eligibility: The federal government has made a huge push
toward incentivizing solar panel projects. There are a number of
federal-level tax credits that can assist with the installation costs
incurred.

Cons:

 Only great for climates with plenty of sunshine: If you live in a shady
area or a climate that gets more rainy days than sunny ones, upgrading to
a solar water heater may not prove as fruitful as it would for residents living
in Southern California or coastal Florida. Though solar power can be
collected on gray days, consecutive low-sun days can have a noticeable
impact on your system's performance.

 Cost of installment: The cost of installing solar panels is one of the most
notable downsides to solar water heating. Fortunately, there are a number
of financing programs that make the payment process easier if you’ve set
your sights on switching to solar power.

 Rooftop space requirements: The more electricity you demand from

your solar panels, the more solar panels you’ll actually need. The more
solar panels, the more roof space you’ll need to dedicate. If your home is
small in size, your roof may not be able to accommodate the level of panel
power you desire.
Tank less coil and indirect water heaters

Use a home's space heating system to heat water. They're part of what's called integrated or
combination water and space heating systems.

HOW THEY WORK

A tank less coil water heater provides hot water on demand without a tank. When a hot water
faucet is turned on, water is heated as it flows through a heating coil or heat exchanger installed
in a main furnace or boiler. Tank less coil water heaters are most efficient during cold
months when the heating system is used regularly but can be an inefficient choice for many
homes, especially for those in warmer climates.

Indirect water heaters are a more efficient choice for most homes, even though they require a
storage tank. An indirect water heater uses the main furnace or boiler to heat a fluid that's
circulated through a heat exchanger in the storage tank. The energy stored by the water tank
allows the furnace to turn off and on less often, which saves energy. An indirect water heater,
if used with a high-efficiency boiler and well-insulated tank, can be the least expensive means
of providing hot water, particularly if the heat source boiler is set to "cold start."

SELECTION CRITERIA

When selecting the best type and model of water heater for your home, consider the
following:
  Fuel type, availability and cost. The fuel type or energy source you use for water
heating will not only affect the water heater's annual operation costs but also its size
and energy efficiency. See below for more on selecting fuel types.
 Size. To provide your household with enough hot water and to maximize efficiency,
you need a properly sized water heater. Visit the pages on different types of water
heaters (linked above) for more on sizing.
 Energy efficiency. To maximize your energy and cost savings, you want to know how
energy efficient a water heater is before you purchase it. Visit the pages on different
types of water heaters (linked above) for more on estimating energy efficiency.

Costs. Before you purchase a water heater, it's also a good idea to estimate its annual
operating costs and compare those costs with other less or more energy-efficient models. Visit
the pages on different types of water heaters (linked above) for more on estimating costs.

Sizing A New Water Heater

Tank less or demand-type water heaters are rated by the maximum temperature rise possible at
a given flow rate. Therefore, to size a demand water heater, you need to determine the flow rate
and the temperature rise you'll need for its application (whole house or a remote application,
such as just a bathroom) in your home.

First, list the number of hot water devices you expect to use at any one time. Then, add up their
flow rates (gallons per minute). This is the desired flow rate you'll want for the demand water
heater. For example, let's say you expect to simultaneously run a hot water faucet with a flow
rate of 0.75 gallons (2.84 liters) per minute and a shower head with a flow rate of 2.5 gallons
(9.46 liters) per minute. The flow rate through the demand water heater would need to be at
least 3.25 gallons (12.3 liters) per minute. To reduce flow rates, install low-flow water fixtures.

End of Module….
Thank you and stay safe.

Engr. GEORGE P. ALONZO, PEE