Abstract

A preliminary study of the feasibility of using existing drinking water supply systems to provide hot water for heating purposes to a typical 140-home subdivision has been undertaken. This preliminary study has centered on (i) types of municipal water system designs and effects of system design upon heating use; (ii) methods of using low-to-moderate temperature water for heating purposes and possible institutional barriers; (iii) identification and description of a typical residential community suitable for hot water heating; (iv) evaluation of thermal losses in the uninsulated main distribution system from the main pumping station having assumed geothermal heating to the subdivision; (v) evaluation of thermal losses in the uninsulated street mains in the subdivision; (vi) estimation of size and cost of the pumping station main heat exchanger to supply geothermal energy to the drinking water; (vii) sizing of individual house heat exchangers; (viii) pumping and power requirements to supply the increased water flow rate through the subdivision street water distribution lines; and (ix) pumping and piping requirements to provide heating water flow from the street lines to a typical residence. From the results obtained thus far, it would appear that the use of existing uninsulated water supply systems will be advantageous more » in many communities having nearby low-to-moderate temperature geothermal resources. « le Document type: Report