Instant HWS control

Just curious if anyone has come accross an instant hot water system that can have the temperature controls, etc interfaced and controled by C-Bus? Just had thoughts of dimmer control with a DLT showing current set temp and a master off to be able to get the kids out of the shower after 10 minutes (my dad would have killed for that ).

About to buy one so would appreciate any help.

 

Perhaps for the sake of world peace and your wallet, a solar heater might be more suitable

 

Over the years I have always turned down the offer to CBUS a water system. Primarily because CBUS can stop working if there is a loss of burden and losing control of your hot water system would then result in higher or lower than desired temps and no function to change it.

The hot water system is probably secondary to having a time limit on the heat lamps in the ceiling or floor heaters (most people have IXL heaters).

I noticed that the majority of kids switch on everything in a bathroom and walk out. So what started as a 10min shower ends up being 9 hrs at 2KW.

 

Living in an area that commonly gets frosts in the morning, solar is not an option from everything I have read.


Had not thought of the 'no back up' problem tobex. If I find one that can intergrate with C-bus, I think I will heed your advice and put in at least one proprietary controller for redundancy.

 

I don't know what part of the world you live and obviously available roof space and orientation matters but there are drain back systems which are rated for frost prone areas.
http://www.rheem.com.au/Products/do...mierloline/rheempremierlolinesolarwaterheater

 

Thanks for the link DarylMc. When I was speaking to our local plumbing supplier and my tamed plumber, they agree that the indirect solar units are nor overly efficient in comparision. Still relying on storage of hot water rather than heat what you need.

That and the cost of install in compared to an instant ..........

 

Cost is important sure.
You may have a laugh if you look at the Rheem hot water calculator as they have a box to tick asking do you have or likely to have some teenagers in the home.
I have used the Rheem drain back system and the custmer was very happy with it.
While it is a bit more complex with a 240V circulator pump to move the water through the collectors they rarely have to turn the booster on in a frost prone area SE QLD.
The electric boost element is located at the top of the tank so it doesn't have to heat the whole tank and it is quite quick to heat some water if there has been some consecutive cold rainy days.
Not considering maximum network demand, off peak tariffs and feed in tariffs I think solar water heating is a far superior way to reduce electricity usage than solar PV if your roof and climate allows.

 

I have hear that teenagers are likely to turn the water and stand under it for 40 minutes. All good if you have a storage tank that runs out.

We are trying to get away from electric hot water just for cost factor as the kW/hr price is through the roof in Victoria. Solar water heating I would agree must be certainly far superiour than PV but again in Southern Victoria, I personally am not a fan of Solar anything as we dont see as much sun as I would like.

 

Solar hot water heating is not significantly different from passive earth water heating. It is one of the best ways to bring water from 15C to 26C. But a hot shower usually requires 35C at the mixer.

If you want to heat your floors then solar or earth heating is great. For the additional heat you still need a hot water tank or gas heating.

Something here to please the technically aspiring.

http://www.mech.unimelb.edu.au/people/staffresearch/AFMS site/16/Morud.pdf

 

Years ago I aspired to build a hydro-powered consumption gauge which generated a few volts from the water stream and flashed up significant amounts of information about was has passed through the pipe. Then I realised ... the only thing you need to get a teenager out of a shower is an SMS from a friend reading "OMG"

 

rofl!

 

Hi Tobex
Solar water heaters can heat the water well above 60 degrees.

 

I am aware of that but I am taking into consideration passive systems in a greater range of geographical zones. Some locations struggle with solar.

Just driving from Melbourne to Brisbane in Summer and you notice immediately that the day is longer in Melbourne. In Winter the days are shorter in Melbourne.