Heat-pump desuperheaters for supplying domestic hot water - estimation of energy savings and economic viability for residential applications

Technical Report · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:6318807

Olszewski, M; Fontana, E C

The heat reclaimer is a double-wall heat exchange system that removes superheat from the heat pump (or central air conditioning) cycle and uses it to heat water for domestic uses. During summer operation, this heat would normally be rejected to the atmosphere without being used. Thus, water heating is accomplished using essentially no primary fuel. In winter, the heat extracted from the cycle would have been used for space heating. However, energy savings are possible above the heat pump balance point because water heating is performed at an enhanced efficiency. Potential energy savings and economic viability of the heat reclaimer were determined for 28 sites throughout the United States. These results indicate that the heat reclaimer is not economically attractive compared with gas- or oil-fired water heating systems. However, it is competitive with electric resistance water heaters. Based on these results, a calculational scheme has been developed that could be integrated into the model audit procedure.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6318807
• Report Number(s): ORNL/CON-114; ON: DE83012372
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
APPLIANCES
CALCULATION METHODS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC HEATING
ENERGY RECOVERY
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT RECOVERY
HEATERS
HEATING
RECOVERY
WATER HEATERS