What Is The Difference Between Direct And Indirect Hot Water Tanks?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Direct – the water is heated directly from the heat source either by an immersion heater or by the boiler. Indirect heating –

the central heating and the hot water are separate

. The water is heated via a coil (heat exchanger) from a boiler. … It helps the system cope with the expansion of water in the system.

What do you mean by direct and indirect water heating system?

A

direct-fired water heater can be heated

by propane, oil, or natural gas and has its own burner. … They are more energy-efficient than an indirect water heater because it heats the water itself. Indirect water heaters rely on the furnace or boiler to supply the heat needed for the water.

What is an indirect hot water system?

An indirect water heater uses

the main furnace or boiler to heat a fluid that's circulated through a heat exchanger in the storage tank

. … These water heating systems work with forced air systems and hydronic or radiant floor heating systems.

What are the main advantages of an indirect hot water system?

The greatest advantages of the indirect water heaters are

the significant reduction of flue losses

. Less maintenance – no additional burners to maintain. Less cost – no additional venting required or fuel lines to run. Better performance – more available hot water with quicker recoveries.

What is indirect water?

Indirect water (also called “virtual water”) use refers

to the water used to produce the goods and services others need and enjoy

.

What is the difference between a direct and indirect heating system?

Quite simply, direct heating technology involves a bulk solid material coming into direct contact with a heating gas to

change

the final temperature of the material. Indirect heat transfer uses conduction, radiation or convection to achieve temperature change. …

What is the difference between direct and indirect unvented cylinders?

Direct and Indirect

A ‘

direct' cylinder is heated via an electric immersion and does not work with gas, oil or heat pump systems

. An ‘indirect' cylinder has coil running through the cylinder. … The heated coil imparts its heat onto the fresh (potable) water in the tank that is used for washing or showering.

How does an indirect hot water system work?

An indirect water heater uses

the main furnace or boiler to heat a fluid that's circulated through a heat exchanger in the storage tank

. The energy stored by the water tank allows the furnace to turn off and on less often, which saves energy.

How does a direct hot water system work?

Direct fired units such as Dorchester water heaters for hot water generation have an integral gas or oil burner that

directly heats the water in its storage cylinder by supplying hot gases through one or more of its heat exchanger fire tubes within the cylinder

which then transfers heat to the surrounding water.

Is a combi boiler a direct or indirect system?


Direct

design

The pump on the boiler only runs when the heating is on. When a hot tap is running the pump stops running and the mains water running through the boiler on its way to the tap is heated up. Thats how a Direct Combi Boiler design works.

What is the main advantage of an indirect system?

The main advantage of an indirect system is that

even if the water supply to the property is cut off, there's still a reserve of water

. For example, you'll still be able to flush the toilet until the loft cistern is empty. Indirect systems also operate at a lower pressure than mains water.

What is the difference between direct and indirect plumbing?

A direct connection is any connection that is made

to any public sewer

. An indirect connection is a connection to a private drain that then goes into a public sewer. A private drain is an existing pipe that only serves 1 property and is within the property boundary.

What is indirect cold water supply?

In the indirect cold water system,

water comes into house via rising main

. It is then branched off to feed at least one tap (in the image above, this is the kitchen and outside tap and the boiler next to the sink) and then continues to a storage tank in the loft.

What is an example of indirect water use?

Direct purposes include bathing, drinking, and cooking, while examples of indirect purposes are the use of

water in processing wood to make paper and in producing steel for automobiles

. The bulk of the world's water use is for agriculture, industry, and electricity.

How long do indirect hot water tanks last?

Indirect water heaters typically last

15-20 years

.

Do indirect water heaters need to be flushed?

Just remember inside the tank is your potable drinking water so

needs to be flushed well to get the chemical out

. The inexpensive inspection camera's could also be inserted through that bottom so you could see what it looks like before and after.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.