Uninterrupted supply of residents of settlements and enterprises with water heated to 75 degrees is an indicator of a high quality of life. In order not to reduce it, it is important to choose the right heat supply system, including hot water supply in a private house or apartment.
Hot water supply device
The action of gravity hot water supply is based on the principle of displacing the hot stream with cold water, which has higher density and mass. Advantages - energy independence at the time of fluid transfer. Energy consumption is only used when heating boilers. The disadvantage is the need for an accurate calculation of the slope of the pipeline and the use of elements with a large section.
If water access by gravity is not possible, installation of pumping equipment will be required.
Pros of open systems:
- There is no need to control the pressure, the air is deflated automatically.
- It is easier to add water through the expansion tank.
- Less risk of leaks.
The downside is the mandatory control of the water in the tank and the need to replenish it.
The difference between the closed type of hot water supply is in the intake of cold liquid from the water supply and its heating in an additional device. After that, the hot stream is redistributed to the points of water intake. This allows you to maintain the desired temperature in all areas of the water supply. But this option will require additional wiring and installation of heating equipment.
Closed supply systems can be dead-end or operate according to a recirculation scheme. In the latter case, hot water flows through a closed loop of the pipeline, and heating is carried out not only due to the storage heat exchanger, but also with the help of an indirect source. The dead-end hot water distribution system is made up only of the supply branches coming from the heating element.
Types of DHW connection systems, principle of operation and standards
When supplying central hot water supply, certain norms and requirements must be observed. According to SaNPiN and SNIP:
- The temperature of the aquatic environment should be above 40 degrees. A deviation of up to five degrees is allowed.
- The hot water cut-off period due to an accident should not be more than eight hours per month.
- The maximum time for preventive maintenance in the summer is two weeks.
To control the consumption of hot water, meters are installed. These devices have the right to be installed only by specialists of the management organization engaged in the supply of hot water supply under an agreement with the owner of an apartment or house.
In autonomous systems, heating is carried out by heating devices - boilers, gas water heaters, various boilers.It is usually used in private houses, but recently, due to interruptions in the supply of hot water or non-compliance with standards, residents of apartments in high-rise buildings began to install them.
Typical DHW schemes
Hot water supply schemes are of three types:
- Accumulative. Usually used in country houses with a simple (dead-end) water distribution network. Boilers are installed as storage tanks.
- Flowing. They are used in cases where a constant analysis of hot water is required. Heating is carried out using plate or tubular heat exchangers.
- Combined. Both flow and storage water heaters are installed in the room.
The most economical scheme of hot water supply with circulation. In this case, the flow circulates through the network thanks to the pumping equipment, which takes water from the return pipeline and transfers it to the heater. It is used in residential cottages, hospitals, kindergartens, hotels - where a constant flow of warm liquid into the taps is required.
The choice of an autonomous DHW system and features of operation
Storage boilers
Containers where water heats up and, like in a thermos, remains warm for a long time. The choice of such a device depends on its volume:
- Up to 10 liters - enough for washing dishes and wet cleaning.
- Up to 100 liters - enough for a shower for a family of three, cleaning and washing dishes.
- Over 100 liters - can be installed in a house where a large family lives.
Such systems create a supply of hot water, which is important during interruptions in its supply and outages. The tank can be installed anywhere - in the bathroom or in the kitchen. But it takes time and energy to heat up.
Modern designs of storage devices are equipped with additional functions. These include the ability to work both in economical mode and at maximum, as well as a delay in the start of heating. The housings are thermally insulated so that hot water is stored for a long time and the energy consumption is saved.
Flow heaters
They are suitable for all types of houses, since they work on the principle of heating the supplied cold water. They do not take up much space, they can be of the upper or lower type (they are attached to the wall or installed on the floor). Hot water goes directly to the taps.
Heaters also have disadvantages. You will need to drain the cooled water from the previous start. When using several sections of the catchment, there is not enough heating for everything, the water will be slightly warm. To prevent this from happening, calculate the power of the device. One kitchen tap requires 10 kW, but if a bathtub is being drawn, the power must be at least 28 kW.
The energy sources for heating water also differ. This can be a gas or electric two-circuit system or an indirect heating source. The latter type is beneficial in winter, as it draws warm water from the home heating system. The use of the second circuit allows solving the problem of supplying hot water and heating the building.
Recently, alternative energy sources have been in demand. Solar panels and wind turbines are not yet so popular, but pellet and peat briquette boilers are used more and more often. Their advantage is cheaper fuel. The equipment can be located outdoors: not in the house itself, but in the utility room.
The organization of hot water supply in a private house or apartment is limited only by the financial capabilities of the owners. The options for heating devices, piping elements and methods of generating energy are varied. Regardless of the choice, the circuit must comply with regulations, be functional and safe.
