HOT WATER SYSTEMS

Evening Star, Issue 20720, 17 February 1931, Page 2

HOT WATER SYSTEMS

IMPROVING THEIR EFFICIENCY AN EXPERT'S VIEWS OH THE SUBJECT What is now looked upon as an absolute necessity in tho planning of every home is the provision of a good hot water supply.* To-day, several installations are available, each one bejng particularly suitable for the requirements of the individual homo builder. Up to tho present, the majority of honies have been fitted with a storage cylinder, generally hidden in a cupboard adjoining the fireplace in the kitchen. These, hot water systems vary considerably in their efficiency, and complaints are often heard, that a very poor supply of hot water is available in some particular household, while others again have to keep on

banking up the fire to maintain a good supply. Very often an endeavour is made to ascertain the reasons for the deficiency in the supplies, and all kinds of causes are suggested. However, very little improvement is made to the service by the adoption of any of the suggestions. An expert engaged by an old established Christchurch firm which manufactures all kinds of heating systems, has prepared a report on the subject and points out, after several vears of experimenting, where the trouble very often lies. He also maintains that many services that are apparently giving the maximum, amount of efficiency can be greatly improved by tho adoption of tho advice tendered in his report. “ Cornice ” has been fortunate enough to receive a copy of the report togctTier with a black-and-white drawing illustrating the points referred to. In his report, tho Christchurch expert states that the manner in which hot water circulating systems should be installed brings forth a wide diversity ot opinion and incidentally various schemes of galvanised pipe work with different results. A complete circle from heating unit to cylinder and return gives maximum, efficiency, but, pipework forming a circle is quite impossible in most circumstances owing to tho proximity of walls between heating unit and container, which in

most cases is placed ju a cupboard through a wall from the heating unit. The “practice of connecting the two under these conditions brings forth a great variety of pipework schemes giving different degrees of water heating efficiency. In endeavouring to conform to a pipework circle under different circumstances it is advisable to avoid sharp turns; the use of elbows for instance, reduces the ease of water expansion from the heating unit to the container. Where it is necessary to change the- direction of the pipes it is advisable to use full bends thus allowing the water to circulate, from a horizontal to a vertical movement without restriction. The writer 1m seen hundreds of circulating systems that are unsatisfactory just through the frequent use of elbows, which, however cheap they are, give no satisfaction to the user; in fact, the use of elbows brings an extra expense on the"householder, as much more fuel is required to overcome the deficiency in pipeline. When making installations with copper pipe connections there is not the same possibility of unsatisfactory results, as this class of connection being

higher in cost than galvanised pipes, is usually in short lengths which necessitates the container being brought nearer to the heating unit, thus eliminating the chances of service deficiency. In all installations it is advisable to use as large n diameter pipe as possible which can be handled with ease, because the thinner the volume of water moving through the pipes the greater the cooling effect of the atmosphere. Another factor which has an influence on the results is stoking of the fire; if it be an open fire boiler it is advisable to fill the grate with hot coals, breaking them up small, and if an extra amount of hot water is needed, spread the coals_ round the cheeks of the boiler. This procedure will only be effective if the pipework is installed with duo care and thought. To conclude the above suggestions, the writer wishes to point out that ho has from time to time examined a great many hot water installations and has been surprised to hear_ from the users that they are dissatisfied with the results, while, on the other hand, friends of theirs with the same make of heating unit get excellent results. This means that if the chimneys are well constructed, attention being given to the design of the flue, the fire well stoked, the difference in the efficiency of the systems is in the various schemes of pipework.