Heat exchanger requirements for potable water protection. Final report
The initial cost and performance of heat pump water heaters, water source heat pumps, heat reclaim desuperheaters and condensers can be adversely affected by plumbing and mechanical codes which require double-wall separation between refrigerants and potable water. This requirement exists in several the national model building codes, city and state codes, and product standards. The requirement, which may not be justified, can limit the economic market for these technologies and deprive some electric utilities and their customers of energy conservation and load-leveling benefits. This report reviews the current status of building, plumbing and mechanical codes, equipment design and testing standards, and the technical basis for double-wall separation between refrigeration and potable water systems. Included is an analysis of the health and safety issues associated with refrigerants and compressor oil contamination of potable water, and an evaluation of performance and cost impacts. Results indicate a lack of uniformity in code and standard requirements nationwide and little technical basis for requiring double-wall separation. Initial equipment costs can be increased from 8 to 40%. Recommendations are included for (1) developing a technical basis to support code language changes, (2) modifying present code language to be more flexible, and (3) establishing a mechanism for code changes.
- Research Organization:
- Fauske and Associates, Inc., Burr Ridge, IL (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6273394
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-EM-4217; ON: TI86920100
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
HEAT EXCHANGERS
STANDARDS
WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
BUILDING CODES
COST
ENERGY CONSERVATION
PERFORMANCE
PLUMBING
USES
WATER HEATING
WATER QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING
320100* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings