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Hot Water

 
This tab allows you to describe the characteristics of the domestic hot water heating systems.  This approach is suitable for use in Building Regulations compliance tests, ApacheSim, ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads.
Generator
Data on this tab allows you to describe the characteristics of the domestic hot water heating system associated with the Apache System. These properties are used in UK Building Regulations compliance tests and ApacheSim. Domestic Hot Water (DHW) calculations feature optionally in ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads calculations.
The tab is accessed using the ‘Hot Water’ tab on the Apache Systems dialog. The parameters describing the DHW and solar water heating systems are different for ApacheSim and the UK NCM program SBEM. Refer to the VE Compliance View User Guide for further details of the DHW implementation for SBEM.
DHW demand is calculated from settings on the Space Conditions tab in the Building Template Manager or Space Data.
Is DHW served by ApacheHVAC boiler?
Tick this box if DHW is supplied by the ApacheHVAC system. A single heat source should then be nominated in ApacheHVAC to meet the DHW demand.
DHW delivery efficiency
The efficiency of the delivery of Domestic Hot Water, expressed as a percentage. Heat is lost from the pipes carrying hot water from the boiler (or other heat generator) to the taps, and the resulting cooling means that a certain volume of water has to be run off before hot water reaches the outlet. The delivery efficiency accounts for this process. If secondary circulation is used the DHW delivery efficiency should be set to 100%, as the pipe heat loss is accounted for elsewhere.
Set points
Mean cold water inlet temperature
The temperature at which mains water is supplied to the building.
Hot water supply temperature
The temperature at which hot water is delivered.
Storage
Is this a storage system?
Tick this box if the hot water system has a storage tank.
Storage volume
The volume of the DHW storage tank. This is used, with the following parameters, to calculate tank losses.
Insulation type
This parameter and the following are alternative ways of specifying the insulation of the tank. The options for ‘Insulation type’ are ‘Uninsulated’, ‘Loose jacket’ and ‘Factory insulated’.
Storage losses
The DHW storage tank loss factor (kWh/l/day).
The following tables from SAP (2005) may be helpful in setting this parameter.
 
Table 2: Hot water storage loss factor (kWh/(l.day)
Insulation thickness (mm)
Cylinder loss factor (L) kWh/(l.day)
 
Factory insulated cylinder
Loose jacket
0
0.1425
0.1425
12
0.0394
0.0760
25
0.0240
0.0516
35
0.0191
0.0418
38
0.0181
0.0396
50
0.0152
0.0330
80
0.0115
0.0240
120
0.0094
0.0183
160
0.0084
0.0152
Note: Alternatively the heat loss factor, L, may be calculated for insulation thickness of t mm as follows:
1) Cylinder, loose jacket L = 0.005 + 1.76/(t + 12.8)
2) Cylinder, factory insulated L = 0.005 + 0.55/(t + 4.0)
 
Table 2a: Volume factor for cylinders and storage combis
Volume Vc
Volume Factor VF
Volume Vc
Volume Factor VF
40
1.442
180
0.874
60
1.259
200
0.843
80
1.145
220
0.817
100
1.063
240
0.794
120
1.000
260
0.773
140
0.950
280
0.754
160
0.908
 
 
 
When using the data in Table 2, the loss is to be multiplied by the volume factor.
2) Alternatively, the volume factor can be calculated using the equation
VF = (120 / Vc )1/3
Where:
Vc – volume of cylinder or storage, litres
 
Secondary circulation
Does the system have secondary circulation?
Tick this box if the hot water system has secondary circulation. A secondary circulation system pumps water continuously round a circuit connecting the heat source to the outlets to provide instant hot water.
Circulation Losses
The loss factor of the secondary circulation system, per unit length of pipework (W/m).
Pump Power
The rated power of the secondary system pump (kW).
Loop Length
The length of the secondary circulation system (m).
Pump
The meter supplying the DHW secondary circulation pump. This setting is used to total fuel consumptions and determine carbon emissions.