Energy saving idea?

Question

I was thinking.. the moment i turn on the tap in my kitchen , to fill a small pot with hot water , it takes a minute , before the water that comes out is hot.. the water i wasted before i get what i need is quite a bit.. but thats not my main concern in this question..

I have just heated up XX liters of water for nothing , my pipes are now full of warm water , and i only used 2 cups worth..

Is there a system where hot water is delivered with a higher pressure through thinner pipes .. so much less heat goes to waste.. or would adding the pressure use the same amount of energy as heating the water...

There is also the noise problem from letting water flow from a big to a small pipe...

Any ideas guys?

Answer 1

''Energy Saving Idea"

Stay very,  v e r y,    v.  e.  r.  y.        still.

Sash.

Answer 2

The pressure doesn't matter, but smaller diameter pipes would reduce the water waste.  But the heat going into that water isn't necessarily wasted; if the pipes go through heated dwelling space, the heat released makes life slightly easier on the furnace.

Answer 3

Sorry i don't have an anwer but i just wanted to say - WELL DONE for even being concerned as you are! I am glad i am not the only one who cares! x

Answer 4

Two different approaches:

http://www.insinkerator.com/dispensers/i...

http://www.rewci.com/whhohotwaci.html

Answer 5

same with that other person, no answer...

but im glad people care about the environment and try to think up ideas to save it.  =]

Answer 6

This is going to sound crazy but I doubled my supply of underwear and socks so I halved the number of times I use the washing machine.

Answer 7

use the kettle then you will only heat what you need

Answer 8

Fix the heat loss wrap the hot and cold pipes . To fix the creaking add a slip of soft plastic in the clamps on the pipe . To end the water hammer use an air pocket in the pipe design at the corners. I don't like on demand hot water i like to see warm water only. The stove is there.

Answer 9

You Are Amazing!

Answer 10

Pipe insulation may help, but once the water leaves the heat source it will automatically start cooling.  Perhaps it would be worth it for you to heat the water on the stove since you were cooking with it anyhow.  This will reduce wasted water, and maybe some energy on heating more water in your water heater.

Answer 11

turn the mains off lol tc

Answer 12

Why not install solar water heating? That way you have only "wasted" free energy anyway. Here in Ireland I get nearly 70% of my domestic hot water from a couple of solar panels. So if I can do that in "rainy & cloudy" Ireland what could you do?

Answer 13

If you're just looking to heat up a small amount of water  here are your options from most efficient to least efficient: electric kettle, microwave, stovetop (gas over electric unless your power is from a renewable source).  

For some more specific facts, electric kettles use up to 50% less energy than stovetop kettles.  Electric kettles heat water almost twice as fast as regular ones.

Some great kettles include Chef's Choice French Press Plus, Breville Ikon, and the Toastess Eco Kettle.

For a more permanent solution, you might look into getting a tankless water heater.  You can check out some info on tankless units here (http://greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/introd...  and you can see specific models here (http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/ca...

You might also consider going with a solar hot water heater (you can see that kind of technology here - http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/ca...