A BASIC MODEL OF A RESIDENTIAL HOT WATER SYSTEM USING A CIRCULATION PUMP TO MINIMISE STANDING LOSSES IN PIPING

There are many novel methods in reducing the effect of standing losses in hot water systems. To date some of these solutions have been applied in the industrial and commercial sectors as a means of providing more efficient hot water supply systems. There are also quite a few solutions to improve the efficiency of residential hot water systems and one such method is the use of a circulation pump in the hot water system as a means of utilising the spare hot water that remains in the piping. This paper will discuss a basic model that has been developed in order to evaluate the energy performance of this type of system. The methodology that was used will be explained as well as a discussion on the results that were obtained including some strategies for future work and model improvement.