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hot water system

Water heating is a heat transfer process that uses an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hot water include cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating. In industry, hot water and water heated to steam have many uses.
Domestically, water is traditionally heated in vessels known as water heaters, kettles, cauldrons, pots, or coppers. These metal vessels that heat a batch of water do not produce a continual supply of heated water at a preset temperature. Rarely, hot water occurs naturally, usually from natural hot springs. The temperature varies with the consumption rate, becoming cooler as flow increases.
Appliances that provide a continual supply of hot water are called water heaters, hot water heaters, hot water tanks, boilers, heat exchangers, geysers (Southern Africa only), or calorifiers. These names depend on region, and whether they heat potable or non-potable water, are in domestic or industrial use, and their energy source. In domestic installations, potable water heated for uses other than space heating is also called domestic hot water (DHW).
Fossil fuels (natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, oil), or solid fuels are commonly used for heating water. These may be consumed directly or may produce electricity that, in turn, heats water. Electricity to heat water may also come from any other electrical source, such as nuclear power or renewable energy. Alternative energy such as solar energy, heat pumps, hot water heat recycling, and geothermal heating can also heat water, often in combination with backup systems powered by fossil fuels or electricity.
Densely populated urban areas of some countries provide district heating of hot water. This is especially the case in Scandinavia, Finland and Poland. District heating systems supply energy for water heating and space heating from combined heat and power (CHP) plants, waste heat from industries, incinerators, geothermal heating, and central solar heating. Actual heating of tap water is performed in heat exchangers at the consumers' premises. Generally the consumer has no in-building backup system, due to the expected high availability of district heating systems.
Today in the United States, domestic hot water used in homes is most commonly heated with natural gas, electric resistance, or a heat pump. Electric heat pump water heaters are significantly more efficient than electric resistance water heaters, but also more expensive to purchase. Some energy utilities offer their customers funding to help offset the higher first cost of energy efficient water heaters.

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  1. L

    Baxi Solo 24 HE with gravity hot water system

    Can anyone tell me if this boiler can be used to run an old gravity hot water system and pumped central heating system. The gravity side is 28mm copper pipe and the central heating 22mm pipes. The existing pump is on the CH flow side. If not I presume the hot water side will have to be converted...
  2. M

    how to size a indirect hot water system?

    Hi guys, just wondering how most people do as my title says. How much hot water per person for a house hold? Also, anyone bought a stainless steel indirect cylinder? If so, are they any good? My client is in need for a change, and as most clients say, she is short of cash. And i have heard i...
  3. N

    hot water system expansion tank leaking under pressure

    Hi, I wonder if any one can give me some advice. I have a small diaphragm expansion tank on my hot water system. I have been told to check the water pressure remains above 1 bar when cold, which I do when I remember. I occassionally need to top up the water to achieve this. At the...
  4. D

    Replacing timer on an unusual central heating / hot water system

    Hello, I'm not a plumber but like to fix things myself where possible, and any help on the following would be much appreciated! My sister has recently moved house and the gas boiler that does the central heating and hot water is not a system I've come across before... in the airing cupboard...
  5. P

    unvented hot water system commissioning

    Hi I am trying to find out exactly what qualification an 'unvented hot water system commissioning' engineer should have to be able to certify my Megaflow system is properly installed. I have been issued a NIC EIC group certificate which reads "commissioning of unvented hot water systems" but...
  6. G

    Santon Premier Plus Unvented Hot Water System - HELP!!

    I'm looking to buy a house, but it has a Santon Premier Plus Unvented Hot Water System - I'd never even heard of these, and am completely confused as to how they work and whether they are suitable for my lifestyle. I live with my husband, we each shower every morning (total time ~ 30 minutes)...
  7. J

    Help ASAP please- possible air lock in hot water system?

    Hi, would be great if I could have some help ASAP with following problem as I'm halfway through the job- I'm re-fitting a bathroom (1st job) and have drained the hot water system by tying up the ball cock and opening the taps till empty. I them removed bath, wash basin etc. When the ball cock...
  8. J

    Draining and hot water system via radiators

    I want to drain my entire heating and hot water system to change an indirect hot water cylinder and change some piping as well. The boiler is a nightmare to work on as there is no drain cock or any other means of draining the water out of the system other than releasing the lock nut under or...
  9. F

    How can I stop noises coming from a commercial installation hot water system?

    The original problem was that noises were coming from a commercial installations hot water system. Initially the problem was resolved by installing an air vent to the flow and return of the domestic pipe work but now the noises have returned after a month. Has any body got any idea what is...
  10. S

    Some questions regarding my hot water system please?

    Hi all, As per my intro post, the time has come to get to grips with the hot water system in my house so I have a few questions if I may? I'm trying to learn the layout of it all so please accept my apologies if anything I ask is stupid. I have done lots of research before posting so hopefully...
  11. M

    Roca Thesis basin mixer - slow flow rate

    Hi, I have just had a Roca Thesis basin mixer installed and I'm not convinced that the flow rate is what it should be. It's not a trickle but given my hot water system is unvented main pressure, I would have expected much better. Does the flow rate decrease dramatically with the use of...
  12. J

    Pipe sizing on CH/Hot water system

    My new house has 25 x 2.5mm Uponor MLC flow and return pipes from/to the boiler. In the loft the pipework feeds the sealed system comprising cylinder coil, upstairs radiators and downstairs underfloor heating through separate 20 x 2.25mm MLC pipes. The radiators and coil are served by an...
  13. H

    Total apologies from a very distressed first timer

    I know you all must be fed up of people joining, asking a question, getting good avice then never to be seen again. I am sorry to say I maybe one of those but don't know who else to turn too. The simple reason is I am completely skint and am trying to help my ex g/f do up her negative equity...
  14. L

    Oil Fired Heating and 3 ensuites Dillema

    Hope there is help available. I live in North Antrim and last year I purchased a house which had previously been extended to operate as a B&B. There is one side of the house with 3 bedrooms and 3 ensuites all with thermostatic gravity fed showers. Im sure you can see whats coming !! There is a...
  15. C

    Help please! Have I got a leak?

    Hi I'm sorry if this is going to be long-winded, but I had a water pump that served the hot and cold water to the whole of my house, but after just two and a half years it started to leak (hot side). I discovered that it was possible to fit a seal kit and the pump engineer came on Saturday...
  16. D

    Rayburn Indirect Hot Water

    Hi there im thinking of installing an indriect hot water system heated by a Raburn with about three or four rads. Ive spent hours looking at diagrams but i cant understand one thing. A pump is needed to pump the hot water around the rads so that they heat up, i get that, simple. But a pump is...
  17. M

    DIY Urgent Help With Thermostatic Shower Fittings

    Hi All A bit of help required today please as the wife wants her bathroom back......!!!!!! I am fitting a thermostatic shower valve and have a couple of questions for the experts. My hot water system is a comby and the water is mains fed too. 1. The valve incudes two flow regulators in the...
  18. D

    Back boiler is boiling!

    Hi all I have a link up system with a dunsley neutraliser. This is connected to a sealed unvented hot water cylinder and a standard gravity fed and pumped central heating system. Both my back boiler and oil fired boiler feed to the neutraliser. The hot water system is protected by plenty of...
  19. P

    Low HW pressure ? ? ? Please help

    Hello, I was wondering if anyone can help me. I have recently drained my HW system (Radiators) put in an adative to clean them out then drained again and inserted inhibitor. This caused a couple of problems: The 3 position valve kept sticking The pump went noisy My HW pressure is poor I...
  20. R

    airlock in AGA hot water system

    Hi all, I am after some advice on how to clear an airlock in a coal fired AGA water system. It has been behaving erratically, struggling to get up to temperature on the mercury thermometer and the body has been feeling too hot (hotter than usual). A friend has suggested that I have an airlock...
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