Consulting-Specifying Engineer - January 2008 - (Page 21) M/E Roundtable behind his product if it develops problems on the project site? Will this person assist you in resolving problems after the project has been finished? If the representative is willing to help you in times of trouble, then his product is probably worth considering again. HOOVER: The overall efficiency of a storage water heater will dictate the operating costs. In today’s market, highefficiency condensing storage water heaters readily are available from a number of suppliers. When a lifecycle cost analysis is completed, these high-efficiency storage water heaters usually are very attractive. CSE : What other ways are there to create domestic hot water than using tankless or storage water heaters? LUTZ: Solar and geothermal are ways to produce a great deal of free hot water, but usually require some kind of backup system to ensure adequate supply of hot water in peak consumption periods. Some tankless systems are perfect for that type of backup application, and temperature controlled units only add the energy required to boost to usage temperatures. HOOVER: Domestic hot water is generated in an indirect hot water tank using a boiler loop and using solar energy. In the case of solar water heating, a conventional water heating backup system is needed to ensure adequate hot water when there is inadequate solar heating. ALFORD: Today when talk is about green, solar is another option, but solar does involve a storage tank. Another option could be heat recovery, in most cases off an HVAC process or industrial process. CSE : Are solar heaters becoming a specifying option? What are the considerations for this system? HOOVER: Solar water heating is certainly a viable option. The biggest issue in my mind is one of economics. It is important to know that the money saved by using solar Input #213 at csemag.com/quickResponse Consulting-Specifying Engineer • JANUARY 2008 energy can offset the substantial investment in solar water heating equipment including a conventional backup system. ALFORD: Solar is becoming a popular option these days as more developers are trying to build “green” buildings. The main limitation of solar water heating, is the ability to make large quantities of hot water in very short periods of time. Location of a project far north may limit the use solar water heaters. Roof space for the solar panels or even space on the project site might be a limitation. Again, first costs may be a concern as large numbers of solar panels increase the cost of the system. 21 http://www.uecorp.com http://www.uecorp.com http://csemag.com/quickResponse
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