[Greenbuilding] hotwater heat recovery

[Laren Corie]

From: "Benjamin Pratt" <prattb at uwstout.edu>

>    I recently started leaving the water in the tub or shower after
> bathing--until it's cold. I get a large amount of heat and humidity
> from this practice. I would consider this to be much more efficient
> than a hot water heat recovery system, and no investment is required.

Hi Ben;

   The humidity is often not particularly desirable,
so tub heat can still be retained by laying a light plastic
layer over the surface of the water, to transfer the heat
to the air, while preventing the evaporation.   If it floats
it need not necessarily cover the entire water surface.
Its evaporation control will be roughly proportionate
to its relative area.    In heating dominated climates,
water heat recovery, that holds warm water for slow
space heating can be even more efficient than strategies
which are limited to only transferring it to incoming water,
as the two pass.    However, the term   "heating season"
can be very difficult to define, in a well insulated house,
that receives functional heat from a variety of alternative,
non-metered sources.  So, as they say   "Your mileage
may vary"

-Laren Corie-
Natural Solar Building Design Since 1975
www.LarenCorie.com
www.ThermalAttic.com

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