LIM4062 - Thermal Sciences Lab

Prof.: René Ledesma Alonso

Final Project

Comparison and analysis of a Water heater System

Student information

ID: 165577

Index
Section Page
1. System, stakeholders and considerations 2
• Recognize (ABET, Student Outcome # 4, criteria #1), and
• Define (SACS, Solution development, criteria #1),
2. Different types of systems 2-3
• Investigate (SACS, Solution development, criteria #3), and
• Apply knowledge (SACS, Solution development, criteria #4).
3. Comparison and impact analysis 3-4
• Analyze (SACS, Solution development, criteria #2), and
• Impact awareness (ABET, Student Outcome # 4, criteria #2).
4. Proposal of a system type 4-5
• Informed judgement (ABET, Student Outcome # 4, criteria #3).
• Argumentation (ABET, Student Outcome # 4, criteria #4),
• Solution development (SACS, Solution development, criteria #5).
5. References 6-7

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 1. System, stakeholders and considerations

Water heater is a system that almost everyone uses nowadays, every person who showers with warm water uses
this kind of system. Not only does it function for the shower but also for also for cooking, as well as space
heating, as a result its hard to find someone that doesn’t use it. Therefore, it very important for the skate holders
of this system to know which one among the options is better for them. Knowing that this system is use in all
the world, there are different types of this, such as the traditional one and the renewables. That’s why they need
to take into consideration which one is the best for them.

So, some of the considerations they need to take when choosing one of these systems are the costs, because the
price of a traditional to a renewable have different costs. Also, to identify the fuel source, the capacity and
measure the space. finally, to identify the energy efficiency as well as the yearly operating costs. [2]

2. Different types of systems

As I mentioned before there are two types of this systems, the traditional one and the renewable. Furthermore,
into the traditional system, as the boiler, it is divided into two sections, the fueled by natural gas and the one by
electricity. To better understand the system, we need to know the different types there are. A long the fouled by
natural gas and electricity there exist the conventional storage and the tankless. As its name says the
conventional storage features a tank that holds water to be heated. “This means that the capacity of the tank
determines how much hot water you have available at once. The tank is insulated so that when the water heats
up, it remains warm until it is needed.” [4] On the contrary the tankless has no tank All things considered, there
are coils that get super-hot when loaded up with water, giving you the results, you want almost instantaneously
[5], that’s why it is also call instantaneous water heater.

For this project the analysis will be more specific to the traditional one fueled by natural gas that it is storage.
The way the work is a burner is located beneath the tank of the gas storage heater, and an exhaust stack or
heat exchanger runs through the middle of the tank. The exhaust stack is used for two things. First it transfers
heat to the water and serves as the burner's vent. Secondly a control valve and thermostat regulate the gas
flow rate in response to the setpoint temperature.[3]

As for the renewable, the solar hot water system uses the energy from the sun to heat up the water. “This style
of water heater may be the most energy-efficient of them all and relies on roof-mounted solar panels as its
energy source. The energy is transferred to a closed loop system containing a heat-conductive material, which
then heats the water in the tank.” [4] This system as it is a renewable one is the most ecofriendly since it only
relies on the suns energy.

There are two types of solar water systems, first we have the active that has circulation pumps and controls and
then the passive that doesn’t have them.[9] The active one them is dived into two sections as well as the
traditional one, there it is the direct circulation systems, which it pumps the water into the collectors into the
house. This type of systems is better in places where the climate is not drastically freezing so the system
wouldn’t freeze. Then we have the indirect circulation, that through collectors and a heat exchanger, a heat-
transfer fluid that is not frozen is circulated by pumps. The water that enters the house as a result of this is
heated.[9] This one is better, contrary to the direct one because it does not freeze therefore it is use in places
there the climate is way colder.

Then on the other hand we have the passive systems which can also be dived into two, the collector storage and
the thermosiphon systems. The collector storge works by using a transparent material to cover the storage tank
in order to let the sun transfer its energy to the water. The plumbing system is then flooded with water from the
tank. Then there is the thermosiphon, They rely on passive natural convection where more dense cold water
falls, moving hotter water to the storage reservoir at the top. Some systems come prepackaged with tanks pre-

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mounted to collectors. In these systems the tank sits on the outside of the roof. Other systems have tanks located
inside attic spaces above the collectors. In the case of a direct system, potable water is used as the heat transfer
fluid.[11]

FIGURE 1: Close-coupled thermosiphon [10] FIGURE 2: GAS STORAGE HEATER [3]

3. Comparison and impact analysis

TABLE 1: TRADITIONAL WATER HEATER ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Traditional water heater

Advantages Disadvantages
Since the traditional water heaters have existed for “Gas water heaters, however, use natural gas which
to long, they are easier to install and the investment is retrieved from the Earth in a wasteful and
for one of them is cheaper, saving the costs of destructive process. This releases a substantial
investment. amount of greenhouse gases into the environment.”
[7]
Gas water heaters that ignite with a pilot light rather Another disadvantage of the traditional is that it
than an electric ignition work even when the power depends on gas or electricity, and both tend to go
goes out, making them ideal for larger families. high in their prices making them way more
expensive than the solar one.
A lot of people choose conventional hot water The demand of the natural gas has increased way
systems because they are typically the most cost- more rapidly than expected making it worst for the
effective over the long term and they don't require environment. In FIGURE 3 it shows how also in the
much of maintenance.[1] residential area the gas has increase its demand.
It social impact has increase sin there has been
shortage in some area more than other just like
FIGURE 4 illustrates, Puebla being one with the
high shortage.

TABLE 2 : SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Solar hot water heater

Advantages Disadvantages
If you live in a sunny area is the best choice you can If you are not in a sunny area there’s no really point
have since you will only rely in the sun’s energy so of installing one, even thought it would work, it
all the money you would spend in natural gas or wouldn’t be de same as where the sunny area
electricity would be saved. This can be better
explain through the FIGURE 1, where its shows
Once it is installed, there no much need of Another disadvantage is that the installation costs of
maintenance.[6] solar water heater tend to go higher

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 If there’s no problems with the installation and no Another issue is corrosion.Oxygen can rust any iron
high weather climate effects, it can last up to 20 or steel component in open loop hydronic solar
years.[6] systems.If the plumbing parts are made of copper,
brass, bronze, stainless steel, plastic, or rubber, they
are more resistant.Glass or plastic should be used to
line storage tanks to prevent corrosion.[14]
“About 80 percent of the sun’s radiation is turned Scaling, on the other hand, occurs when domestic
into the heat energy needed to obtain hot water at water contains suspended minerals that accumulate
home.”[14] as calcium deposits in the system.[14]

FIGURE 3: NATURAL GAS DEMAND [13]

FIGURE 4: NATURAL GAS SHORTAGE IN MEXICO [13]

4. Proposal of a system type

If I where to buy a water heater system taking place here in Cholula, Puebla, for my family of 4, this would be
some of the considerations I would take in order to propose the best system. I would propose a solar water
system because counting the reasons on the long run it is the best option. Going back when I was younger, I
personally use to have a traditional water heater (boiler) that was fueled by gas and was a conventional storage
tank, and when I was younger, we used to turn on the boiler 30 min before we use the shower. This was because,
first it saved money because it was turn on all day. Second and most important was because since it was a

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conventional tank storage it needed time to heat up. Therefore, taking a closer look to table 1 where I explain
how this was a disadvantage.

Going to more concrete abord one of the issues of having solar systems that it depends of whether the is sun or
not, looking at the FIGURE 3, where it show a graph showing the cloud cover categories during the whole year.
And by analyzing this chart we know that Puebla has the perfect conditions to install a solar water system.
Looking closer we can even know that September is the highest month where it stays sunny.

FIGURE 2: CLOUD COVER CATEGORIES IN PUEBLA [12]

Another reason why I proposed the solar instead of the natural gas is because of the map in FIGURE 4 that
clearly shows how Puebla is one of the states that is most affected by the shortage of the natural gas.

Finally, I also need to take into account the disadvantages that would come along of installing the solar water
system. One of them being the high cost of installation since “the cost to install a solar water heater—with labor
and parts included—runs an average of $3535, though prices can go from $1667 to $5402.” [15] Also I took
into account that in Puebla has a lot of minerals that make the scaling, therefore if I were to install the solar
water system, I would need to add water softeners or mild acidic substances such as vinegar can avoid
scaling.[14]

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 5. References

[1] Ortiz, P. (2022, September 2). 7 different types of water heaters - pros and cons (with pictures). House
Grail. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://housegrail.com/types-of-water-heaters/

[2] M, M. (2022, October 14). Hot Water Heater Buying Guide | Lowe’s. Lowe's. Retrieved November 18,
2022, from https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/water-heater-buying-guide

[3] A, B. (n.d.). Design considerations for Hot Water Plumbing . CED engineering. Retrieved November 18,
2022, from
https://www.cedengineering.com/userfiles/Design%20Considerations%20for%20Hot%20Water%20Pl
umbing.pdf

[4] Author Homestratosphere's Editorial Staff & Writers. (2022, October 19). 5 different types of water
heaters. Home Stratosphere. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from
https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-water-heaters/

[5] Worst, E. R. (2022, July 31). 9 types of water heaters for every family size & budget. Worst Room.
Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://worstroom.com/types-of-water-heaters/

[6] Marsh, J. (2019, June 26). Pros and cons of Solar hot water: Energysage. EnergySage Blog. Retrieved
November 18, 2022, from https://news.energysage.com/pros-and-cons-of-solar-hot-water/

[7] S.A.(2021, October 27). Gas Vs Electric Water Heaters: 6 advantages & disadvantages. Snell Heating &
Air Conditioning. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.snellheatingandair.com/blog/gas-
vs-electric-water-heaters-6-advantages-
disadvantages/#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20comparing%20the,releases%20waste%20into%20the%2
0environment

[8] S, A (2018, February 9). Electric vs Gas vs Solar Water Heater. Gharpedia. Retrieved November 18,
2022, from https://gharpedia.com/blog/electric-vs-gas-vs-solar-water-heater/

[9] Energy.gov. (n.d.). Solar water heaters. Energy saver. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/solar-water-heaters

[10] S,A . (2020). Solar water heaters. Solar Water Heaters | Energy Rating. Retrieved November 18, 2022,
from https://www.energyrating.gov.au/products/solar-water-
heaters#:~:text=A%20solar%20water%20heater%20uses,of%20solar%20water%20heaters%20availab
le.

[11] Energy Trust of Oregon. (2020). Solar Hot Water Heater thermosiphon. Solar Hot Water Heater
Thermosiphon | Building America Solution Center. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from
https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/solar-hot-water-heater-thermosiphon#edit-group-description

[12] A, S. (n.d.). Weatherspark.com. El clima en Puebla, el tiempo por mes, temperatura promedio (México) -
Weather Spark. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://es.weatherspark.com/y/2214/Clima-
promedio-en-Puebla-M%C3%A9xico-durante-todo-el-
a%C3%B1o#:~:text=El%20mes%20m%C3%A1s%20despejado%20del,aproximadamente%20el%207
%20de%20abril

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[13] México, B. de. (2016). The Effect of Natural Gas Shortages on the Mexican Economy. Documentos de
investigacin, economa, Banco de Mxico. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from
https://www.banxico.org.mx/publicaciones-y-prensa/documentos-investigacion-econ.html

[14] Arcadia, T. (2017, July 27). Primary Advantages & disadvantages of Solar Water Heaters. Blog.
Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://blog.arcadia.com/primary-advantages-disadvantages-solar-
water-heaters/

[15] Bartolone, G. (2022, September 20). How much does a solar water heater cost? Angi. Retrieved
November 18, 2022, from https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-solar-water-heater-cost.htm

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