Design of a domestic water heating system to save water and electricity

The purpose of this study is to investigate ways to reduce the wastage of electricity and water during domestic hot water applications. This study considers saving water and electricity from two points of view. Firstly, by studying the heating device performance and secondly, by observing user behaviour in order to produce a system that considers both points of view in optimising efficiency. The aim of this study is to consider the feasibility of decentralising water heating to the point-of-use by combining a compact heating chamber with the tap, providing scope for the user to be in direct control of the water heating system. The method used to study the feasibility of user controlled decentralised water heating is laboratory based experimentation, for which a compact heating chamber and user-operated controls are designed. This study uses mixed methods research to measure both the heating chamber and the user control simultaneously. The experimental findings confirm that it is possible to heat flowing water in a compact heating chamber and the user is able to directly control the water heating system. These findings support further research and development of the user controlled point-of-use water heating concept as a method to save electricity and water. Further research and development should aim to determine to what extent this concept saves water and electricity when compared to existing water heating systems.