OT home energy upgrades

[Don Coatney]

There are some setups that put the pump between the hot and cold water supply lines under the sink. When you press a button on the vanity it pumps from the hot supply to the cold supply until the hot water side comes up to temperature. No extra return line needed but you do need power which may not be available under a bathroom vanity without some rewiring.

I do not understand how such a system would be beneficial? Still moving cold water until it reaches temperature. Where is the benefit?

[P15-D24]

I do not understand how such a system would be beneficial? Still moving cold water until it reaches temperature. Where is the benefit?

 

Benefit is your not wasting the water down the drain bringing if up to temperature.  

[wayfarer]

California is really at a crossroads with the water issue. Far too many bodies needing water that the farmers/ranchers also need for crops and critters. Guess you can either be clean or hydrated but maybe not both in the long run. Has the 'moon-man' suggested going back to the old plan of reversing the flow of the Sacto river and piping it down state?

[Don Coatney]

Benefit is your not wasting the water down the drain bringing if up to temperature.  

So the pump pressure exceeds the line pressure and moves water that has passed through the water heater into the cold water supply line? Then this water back flows into the sink next time the cold tap is opened?

[P15-D24]

So the pump pressure exceeds the line pressure and moves water that has passed through the water heater into the cold water supply line? Then this water back flows into the sink next time the cold tap is opened?

This this explains the system Tod mentioned: http://www.gothotwater.com/sites/default/files/New%20home%20structured%20plumbing%20Modified.jpg

[Don Coatney]

Understood, thanks

[TodFitch]

This this explains the system Tod mentioned: http://www.gothotwater.com/sites/default/files/New%20home%20structured%20plumbing%20Modified.jpg

That looks like one with a dedicated return line. This brochure, first I found on a quick search, shows the type of thing I was thinking of:

 

http://documentlibrary.xylemappliedwater.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/22/files/documents/2011/12/A-134.pdf

[P15-D24]

Wrong URL should have been this one: http://www.gothotwater.com/sites/default/files/Exisisting%20Homes%2051513.jpg

[Ulu]

My house has 2x4 studs with empty cavities and exterior stucco over styrofoam insulation board .

 

I could get lots of insulation around the pipes that run in the attic, but the wall plumbing is limited by the wall cavity, which is only 3.5".

 

I believe a recirculating system wants about twice what will fit in there.

 

Since we live in the desert, ideally I could move the water heater from my garage to an outbuilding. That'd save on cooling costs & I could get the heater closer to the baths and kitchen. (Couldn't be farther away right now, and still be indoors.)

 

But the permit costs are unreasonable, and they'd certainly make me have one. 

 

Assuming that arrangement would satisfy the local plumbing code. It might not be permissible.

[Ulu]

In a marathon kamikaze session, I finished hanging my ceiling about 1:00 AM last night.

 

There was lots of tedious trimming, as the wall sheetrock was rough at the top, and I eventually did cutouts for the door hangers, opener hangers, 6 lights, 2 ceiling fans, electric access box, an exhaust fan, an attic access door, and the door wiring.

 

98% of the insulation is up.

 

I have a 4'x8' garret with lights and an outlet, and it allows me to access all the attic electrical, and a place to store my wife's 20 boxes of holiday decorations.

 

I still need a door and pull-down ladder assembly but I've got an odd spacing & a standard one may not fit.

 

Anyhow, this is the biggest energy conservation effort of my entire life & it seems to be paying off already, just in comfort.

Plus the garage will stay a LOT cleaner.  

[Plymouthy Adams]

IN PART:    

 

Anyhow, this is the biggest energy conservation effort of my entire life & it seems to be paying off already, just in comfort.

Plus the garage will stay a LOT cleaner.  

Yeah...keep telling yourself that..repetition is not the teacher here..you WILL work more in the shop..work to later hours..work till to tired to do anything but flip of the switch in BOTH manners!! as you drag yourself off for bath and bed...only thing you will repeat is,  tomorrow is another day...clean up then...

[Ulu]

That's a disease which predates any conservation efforts around here. I'm fighting it at every step too.

 

Right now the garage is really pretty clean, but partly because I've transported some of the mess to another location; and it has to be cleaned and returned.

 

Anyhow, my lift is disassembled and the garret is all sealed and insulated with 12" batts & 2" styrofoam board, and the Christmas ornaments are put up, and for the first time in 12 years I can put all our helmets and leathers up in one (now) spare closet, instead of scattered in closets here & there.

 

Rolls of wrapping paper will not litter my office closet! The tent has a home! My ladder has off-the-floor storage!

 

This is huge, I tell ya!