Electrical and Mechanical Upgrades: Domestic Hot Water Generation and Storage Systems

What can be done to save energy besides lighting?  Lots of stuff!  If it heats, cools, modulates or can be turned on or off, then SmartWatt Energy can help make it more energy efficient!  This post is part of a series detailing systems and areas where potential energy savings can be found in your commercial or industrial facility.  If you’re interested in a comprehensive energy efficiency solution for your facility, contact us to learn more about a complimentary energy analysis.

Domestic Hot Water Generation and Storage Systems

What are domestic hot water generation and storage systems? Many facilities have water tanks that store hot water in them.  In most cases, there is no need to store this water and doing so results in heat loss and higher energy costs as the water needs to be reheated. 

If I don’t store hot water, will I always have a constant supply of it?  Today’s technology provides equipment that can heat water very quickly, so in most cases there is no need to store it—heating the water on demand makes more sense and saves energy.

What if we use a lot of hot water in my facility? There are some cases where a storage tank is needed, such as in a hotel where there is a high demand for hot water.  In facilities like this, energy savings can be found in ensuring the storage equipment has a very high R-value, which is essentially how well the insulation works in keeping the water hot.