WaterHeaterSizing

TS10022
Saturday2:15pm5:15pm
J.JoeScottCPD,FASPE,LEED

Water Heater
Sizing
(to keep you out of hot water)

What is a
water
heater?
An immersion element in a
bucket works
works, but it is not
very efficient.

A Brief History

There have been several innovations

in water heating
g technology
gy over the
years, but while some things have
g , some have not.
changed,
Lets review a little history

Hot Water in 1894

Hot Water in 1894

Hot Water in 1916

Pipe
p Sizing
g Tables in 1916

Quantity and Demand

Factors are not new
ideas

The Plumbers
Plumber s Handbook
1922

Coal Fired Water Heater

Heater rated by the amount

of coal used to heat the
water

When Plumbing
g was
plumbing 1916

1906

1906

Enough History
History

Water heater technology can

g todayy as
sometimes be as concerning
it was a century ago

Water Heating
g is sometimes
not what you would expect.

Other areas of the world look at water

g differentlyy than we do.
heating
They will provide hot water for
showers and bathing only.
only
Certain locations use ambient
temperature water
water.
And then there are others

Hot Water Temperature

Is Important

Generation Temperature
Distribution Temperature
Usable Temperatures
You need to understand what each
term means and why they are
different.

Hot Water Temperature

p
Is Important

Generation Temperature the

temperature of the water out of the
water heater.
Generally, a minimum of 140 (F
should be considered when generating
hot water. This is to minimize
bacterial growth in the water.
water
But caution is necessary

Scalding
1
Water Temperature
p
Effects on Adult Epidermis
p

Temperature ((F)
111
113
116.6
118.4
120
124
125.6
127.4
131
140
151
158

First Degree

Second Degree

No Irreverible
Damage
4 5 Hours
4.5
H
2.0 Hours
20 Minutes
15 Minutes
8 Minutes
2 Minutes
45 Seconds
30 Seconds
17 Seconds
3 Seconds
-----------

Full Thickness
Injury
5 Hours
H
3 Hours
45 Minutes
20 Minutes
10 Minutes
4.2 Minutes
1.5 Minutes
60 Seconds
30 Seconds
5 Seconds
2 Seconds
1S
Second
d

1JCAH Hot Water Temperature Standard (Chicago: American Society of Hospital Engineers, February, 1982)

Technical Document No.:14:2-82

Temperatures

Distribution temperature there may be two or

three different distribution systems within the
same building.
105 (F, 120 (F, 140 (F & 160 (F are
common distribution
di ib i temperatures.
Separate piping loops and returns for each
t
temperature
t
are required.
i d Do
D nott mix
i
temperatures within the recirculation piping.

Usage Temperatures
Use:
Lavatory
Showers and Tubs
Commercial Laundry
Residential Dishwasher and
Laundry
Commercial Kitchen

Temperature ((
((F):
102 - 105
102 - 110
140 160
120 140
140 - 190

Mixed Water
Temperature
Mixing water at different temperatures to make a desired
mixed water temperature is the main purpose of domestic
hot water systems.
Equation 1.4:
P = (Tm-Tc)/(Th-Tc)
Th = Supply
pp y hot water temperature
p
Tc = Inlet cold water temperature
Tm = Desired mixed water temperature

P is
i the
th hot
h t water
t multiplier,
lti li which
hi h is
i expressed
d as a
percentage.

Recovery Rates

Depending on the fuel that is used to

fire the water heater,, the input
p and
recovery rate calculations are
different.

Basic Relationships
p and
Units
The fundamental formula for a steady state heat
balance for the heat input and output of the system.

q = r w c T
q = time rate of heat transfer, Btu/h
r = flow rate
rate, gph
w = weight of heated water, lb/h
c = specific heat of water, Btu/lb/(F
T = change

g in heated water temperature,

p
(F

Gas Water Heaters

For the purposes of this presentation, the
specific heat of water is constant at:
c = 1 Btu/lb/(F
and the weight of water is constant at:
thus:

8.33 lb/gal

q = gph[(1 Btu/lb/(F)(8
Btu/lb/(F)(8.33
33 lb/gal)(T)]

Electric Water Heaters

Assuming that 1 kilowatt of electrical power will raise 410 gallons of
water 1(F. The kilowatt input of the electric water heater may be
determined from the following
g formula:

kW = (gph)/(gal. of water per kW at T)

T = temperature rise, (F
gph = gallons per hour of hot water required

Electric
l
i Water Heaters
T e m p e r a t u r e R is e ,
T ,,(F

110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40

G a llo n s o f W a t e r p e r
kW
3 .7 3
4 .1 0
4 .5 5
5 .1 3
5 .8 6
6 .8 3
8 .2 0
1 0 .2 5

Steam Water Heaters

The amount of steam required to heat water 100 (F with
15 psig steam:

Steam (lbs/hr) = (gpm)(500)(T)/950

T = temperature rise, (F
gpm = gallons per minute of hot water required
500 = the hydronic constant (8.33 lbs/gal x 60 min.)
950 = latent heat in
i btu/lb
/ for
f 15 psii steam

Recovery & Energy Usage

BTU/H Calculations
Recovery (gph):
Temp. Rise (F)
Weight
g of Water ((Lbs))
Efficiency (%)
Input Nat. Gas (btuh)
Input Nat. Gas (mbh)
Input (kw)
( )

1200
100
8.33
85%
1,176,000
1,176
292.7

gph
F
lbs
%
btuh
mbh
kw

BTU/H Calculations
Recovery (gpm):
Temp. Rise (F)
Weight of Water (Lbs)
Input 15 lb Steam (lbs/hr)

30
100
8.33
1579

gpm
F
lbs
lbs/hr

Water Usage Patterns in

1916

Storage and Recovery

There is a relationship between storage and recovery.
The recovery rate of the heater can be reduced if the
amount of hot water in storage is increased.
Once the recovery rate of the heater is determined,
the amount of storage required to keep up with the
instantaneous demand for hot water should be
reviewed.
Determining the exact relationship will depend on
thee building
bu d g type
ype be
being
g des
designed.
g ed.

Principles
p
& Practice of
Plumbing, 1906

Principles
p
& Practice of
Plumbing, 1906

Storage
g Capacity
p
y

Modified Hunters
Hunter s Curve

Selection of Equipment
Gas fired equipment and its operating temperature
shall be selected to assure the operating temperature
of the heater will not be less than the dewpoint
t
temperature
t
off the
th fl
flue gas to
t avoid
id condensation.
d
ti
In other words, the inlet temperature to certain types
of gas fired water heaters and the final temperature of
the heated water must checked with the manufacturer
in order to verify the design parameters of the water
heater have not been exceeded.

Stratification
Stratification is the fraction of usable stored
water in the warm water layer that is
formed by the natural tendency of the
warmer water to rise to the top and occurs
in all uncirculated tanks. It has been found
that the amount of usable water in stratified
horizontal and vertical tanks is about 65%
and 75%, respectively.

65% Usable Water

75% Usable
U bl
Water

Hot Water Temperature

What is the maximum temperature to
be distributed to the p
plumbing
g fixture
according to the code?

Hot Water Temperature

What is the maximum temperature to
be distributed to the p
plumbing
g fixture
according to the code?
Americans With Disabilities Act:
Model Plumbing Codes:
(There are provisions for maximum water

temperatures from showers to be limited to 120

degrees (F.)

Hot Water Temperature

What is the maximum
temperature to be distributed
to the plumbing fixture
according to the code?

Legionella Pneumophila
Legionella
g
Pneumophila,
p , also known as
Legionnaires Disease, is a respiratory illness that
can be fatal.
The bacteria that can cause Legionnaires Disease
are widespread in natural sources of water. In
warm water, the bacteria can grow and multiply to
high concentrations. Drinking water containing the
L i ll bacteria
Legionella
b t i has
h no known
k
effects.
ff t

Legionella Pneumophila
However, inhalation of the bacteria into the lungs,
i.e. during showers, can cause Legionnaires
Disease.
It is incumbent upon designers to familiarize
th
themselves
l
with
ith the
th latest
l t t information
i f
ti on the
th
subject and to take this data into account when
designing their systems.
systems

Legionella Pneumophila

Careful consideration should be given

p
the water in the
to the temperature
heater is heated to.
ASPE recommends heating the water
to 140 degrees F. as does ASHRAE
and others.
others

Relief Valves
Pressure and Temperature Relief Valves are
different and have different applications.
Combination
b
temperature/pressure
/
relief
l f
valves are available and are generally used
in domestic systems.
systems
It is recommended the designer research
th various
the
i
relief
li f valves,
l
ratings
ti
and
d th
their
i
applications.

Relief Valves
L ti off relief
Location
li f valves:
l
Since heat rises, the hottest water in the water heater
will be at the top of the tank. The relief valve
should be located where the hottest water will be.
Due to temperature lag (under no flow conditions),
the relief valve must be located in the uppermost 6
i h off the
inches
h tank.
k (Temperature
(T
lag
l is
i the
h decrease
d
in temperature in the piping leaving the tank).

Relief Valves:

Relief Valves:

Did we mention
the piping could
not decrease in
size?

Relief Valves:

Relief Valves:

And certainly
cannot be
plugged for
any reason

12 Gallons, 4500 Watt Heater

(www.serviceroundtable.com
)

Proof..
Proof

Relief Valves
Pressure and
P
dT
Temperature
t
Relief
R li f Valves
Vl
also
l rated
t d
by different methods and usually have multiple
ratings listed on the valve.
valve The various listing
agencies, AGA, ANSI, ASME, NBBPVI, have
ratings
g which are on each relief valve.
Depending on the listing agency, the criteria for the
relieving characteristics changes.

Thermal Expansion
As water
A
t iis heated,
h t d it expands
d andd thus
th increases
i
its
it
volume. If this extra volume of water is not
compensated for the pressure in the entire hot water
system increases.
This is complicated by the addition of a check
valve, backflow prevention device, pressure
reducing valve or even a water softener ahead of
the water heater.

Thermal Expansion

Thermal Expansion,
Expansion the old
way

Thermal Expansion
One method
O
th d tto compensate
t for
f the
th expansion
i off
hot water is the installation of a thermal expansion
tank.
tank
The increase in volume can be calculated by
multiplying the water heater tank volume by an
expansion factor. The expansion factor will change
depending on the change in temperature of the
water.

Thermal Expansion
For example:
F
l A ttemperature
t
change
h
from
f
40(F tto
140(F will increase the volume of the water
heater by 0.0150
0 0150 gallons per gallon of capacity
capacity.
500 gallons (0.0150) = 7.5 gallons of expanded
water volume.
volume
If this expansion in the volume of water is not
compensatedd for,
f the
h pressure iin the
h system will
ill
increase.

Thermal Expansion

Thermal Expansion

Thermal Expansion

Storage and Recovery

The design
g of a domestic water heating
g system
y
begins with estimating the facilitys load profile
and identifying the peak demand times.
To accomplish these steps, the designer must
conduct discussions with the users of the space,
determine the building type,
type and learn of any
owner requirements. The information thus
gathered will establish the required capacity of the
water heating equipment and the general type of
system to be used.

Storage and Recovery

There is a relationship between storage and recovery.
recovery
The recovery rate of the heater can be reduced if the
amount of hot water in storage
g is increased.
Once the recovery rate of the heater is determined,
the amount of storage required to keep up with the
instantaneous demand for hot water should be
reviewed.
Determining the exact relationship will depend on
the building type being designed
designed.

Selection of Equipment
Gas fired equipment and its operating temperature
shall be selected to assure the operating temperature
of the heater will not be less than the dewpoint
t
temperature
t
off the
th fl
flue gas to
t avoid
id condensation.
d
ti
In other words, the inlet temperature to certain types
of gas fired water heaters and the final temperature of
the heated water must checked with the manufacturer
in order to verify the design parameters of the water
heater have not been exceeded.

Stratification
Stratification is the fraction of usable stored
water in the warm water layer that is
formed by the natural tendency of the
warmer water to rise to the top and occurs
in all uncirculated tanks. It has been found
that the amount of usable water in stratified
horizontal
i
and vertical
i tanks is
i about 65%
6 %
and 75%, respectively.

65% Usable Water

75% Usable
U bl
Water

Stratification
Stratification, cont
contd
d
Stratification duringg recovery
y pperiods can be
reduced significantly by mechanical circulation of
the water in the tank.
During periods of demand, however, it is useful to
have good stratification since this increases the
availability of water at a usable temperature.

Stratification
Stratification, cont
contd
d
For Example:
p
If a tank were equally stratified between 140(F at
the top and 40(F at the bottom, this tank, in
theory, could still deliver half its volume at
140(F But
140(F.
But, if the two layers were completely
mixed, the tank temperature would drop to 90(F,
which, in most cases, is an unusable temperature.
One way to encourage stratification in tanks is by
limiting the velocity of water entering the tank.

Codes and Standards

Some of the most often used codes and standards are:
Regional, State and Local plumbing codes
ASHRAE/IES 90.1
90 1
ASME code for fired and unfired pressure vessels
ASME and AGA codes for relief valves
UL listing for electrical components
NSF listing
g
AGA approval for gas burning components
NFPA Standards
NEC - National
i l Electrical
l i l Code
d

Sizing the Water Heater

Why is sizing a water heater so

difficult?
Understanding key issues about the
building and hot water system can
make the sizing of a water heater
much easier.
easier

Understand y
your building
g
type

You must understand your building

type
yp to understand how the building
g
will use hot water.
Fitness centers
centers, dorms
dorms, hotels
hotels, sports
arenas, hospitals, laboratories,
prisons schools
prisons,
schools, etc all have the
same fixtures but different load
profiles.
profiles

De-rating
Deg of Water
Heaters
Altitude De-rating:
Water
W t r Heaters
H t rs installed
inst ll d above
b v 2000 feet
f t above
b v ssea
level need to be de-rated to account for the reduction
in oxygen content.
Oil fired heaters should be de-rated 5% for every
1000 feet above 2000 feet above sea level.
Gas fired heaters should be de-rated 4% for
every 1000 feet above 2000 feet above sea level.

Careful of your
y
assumptions

Further investigations are often required

when using modern equipment and fixtures.
Flow rates and water usage has decreased
in the past decade and most of the
information available has not accounted for
the reduction in water usage.
The trend of reducing the amount of hot
water being used will continue as the
industry embraces sustainability issues.

Sizing the Water Heater

Rational method:
Quantity of fixtures x Flow x Duration
during the peak period of water usage
equals the amount of water required to
meet the demand.

Rational Method
HOT WATER CALCULATION
FIXTURE
LAVATO RY - PRIVATE
LAVATO RY - PUBLIC
WASHFO UNTAIN (4 PERSO N)
SHO WER
BATHTUB
LAUNDRY TUB
SERVICE SINK
MO P SINK
HYDRO THERAPY TUB
CLINICAL SINK
SINK
DISPO SER/PRE-RINSE
1 CO MP. SINK
2 CO MP. SINK
3 CO MP. SINK
DISHWASHER (RESIDENTIAL)
HO SE STATIO N
CLO THES WASHER (RESIDENTIAL)
CO MMERCIAL DISHWASHER
CO MMERCIAL WASHER
WASHER-EXTRACTO
EXTRACTO R

Q TY.

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

FLO W

DURATIO N

GPH

GPH

GPH

O THER

TO TAL GPH

RATE

O F FLO W

DEMAND

DEMAND

DEMAND

DEMAND

O F 140 F

GPM

MIN./HR.

@ 105 F

@ 110 F

@ 140 F

2.2
0.5
2
2.5
4
4
3
5
15
4.5
2.5
9
9
9
9
5
9
5

4
10
10
30
10
5
5
5
15
1
1
5
3.3
6.75
10
6
10
6

0
0
0
0
0

SUBTO TALS

@ SO URCE

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Sizing the Water Heater

The quantity of fixtures important, but

the demand of the building
g is the
determining factor.

Various building types

h
have
diff
different lload
d
profiles

The type of building served will assist in

determining what kind of water heater
should be used.
used
Office buildings, Hospitals and Hotels all
have different characteristics that make
them unique.

Key
y Questions
Q
for every
y
building

How is hot water in the building used?

How many hours per day is hot water
needed?
Is there something unique about the
operation of the building that could
effect the amount of hot water
required?

Key
y Questions
Q
for every
y
building
Hospitals
g Homes
Nursing
Schools
abo ato es
Laboratories
Prisons
Health Clubs
Dormitories
Multi--Family Dwelling
Multi

Building Occupancy
Simultaneous usage
g
Hours of operation
Building
u d g Occupant
Occupa t
Demographic
Peak hour ((or
should it be two
hours)

Special
i l Considerations
id
i

Fixtures to watch
for: Vichy showers,
Arm/leg bath, Hot
tubs, emergency
showers.
showers

Laboratory
b
Hot Water?

Emergency showers can be

the largest almost user of
hot water in a laboratory.
Emergency equipment water
supply must be evaluated
depending on the risk.
ANSI Z358
Z358.1
1 iindicates
di t ttepid
id
water should be used. This
is generally accepted to be
85 degrees
d
F.
F
This water must be potable.

Equipment?

Equipment to watch for:

Washer/extractors
Glass washers, dishwashers, kitchen
equipment,
q p
, process
p
equipment,
q p
, rack
washers, cart washers
g
everyy 20 minutes)
minutes)
Zamboni's ((200 gallons

Various Hot Water

Requirements

Changing flow rates

Changing water demands

Kitchens

Kitchens

Kitchens

Dishwashers

Dishwashers

Dishwashers

And this?

Laundries

Laundries

Laundries
d i

Rules of Thumb:
Generally washers require 2.5 gallons per pound
of laundry.
Approximately 70% of the water will be hot water.
Storage capacity of the laundry heater should be a
minimum of 50% of the hourly demand.

Laundry Drains

Required prepre-heating?

Required prepre-heating

So what size water heater do

you think this will take?

Thermostatic Mixing
Valves:
Cold Water

Hot Water

200 gpm
200 gpm
200 gpm

Thermostatic Mixing
Valves:
Pressure drop can be
too high if piping does
not change size close
to the equipment or
valve being served.

Let me
countt the
th
ways
Relief valve discharge
Relief valve missing
Dielectric unions
Isolation valves on
tanks

Relief
li f Valves:
l

Relief Valves need

to comply with the
following things:
Located in the top 6
of the tank they are
protecting.
Discharge
g within 6
of the floor or drain.
Proper materials.

Gives all new meaning to the

term combustion air.

Questions?