Updated Proposal

After researching my topic more extensively I have decided to revise and repost my proposal.

HEATING DOMESTIC WATER USING A WOOD STOVE

Summary:

            Earth is comprised of over 70% water, yet it is one of our most scarce and protected resources throughout the world. Consumers carelessly act as though uncontaminated water will always be available. In reality, domestic hot water must be heated to a minimum of 140 degrees Celsius to eliminate the risk of bacteria and parasites. Years from now will both water and heat be available? Maybe it will be accessible, but will it be affordable? Home owners with wood stoves can modify the way they consume both.  By adapting the connection between the domestic cold water and hot water tank, the energy used to heat the tank can be dramatically decreased.

Goals and Objectives:

            Modifying the water distribution to the domestic hot water heater will allow for energy savings. Data will be collected and tabulated to determine the energy generated and then will be compared with previous utility bills to establish if the system reduces energy costs and prove viability.

Purpose:

            The research will analyze the design and installation of a woodstove mounted, heat exchanger to generate domestic hot water in a single family residential home.  Further design and implementation of the homes water system will be initiated by modifying the domestic cold and hot water piping to the existing tank type heater.  The purpose of this research is to create an alternative domestic hot water distribution system that will minimize the amount of energy the existing hot water tank is using. B.C. hydro is undergoing infrastructure improvements which will lead to a predicted 7% to 10% increase in electrical utility rates every year for the next 3 years.  Developing an easily adapted alternate domestic water heating system will provide potential financial savings to a home owner.  Throughout the research phase, the water distribution system modifications will be constructed and monitored.  Construction will incorporate ½” copper piping and will attach to the domestic cold water DCW will be directed through a jacket heat exchanger that covers the wood stove.  This will pre heat the domestic cold water, the piping will be installed in the crawls space and will extend to the existing hot water tank, therefore reducing the amount of work the hot water tank will do to heat the water 140°F. The temperature will be recorded, every time a piece of wood is added to the fire in the wood stove. The time of day and outdoor temperature will also be recorded.  This information will be compared with previous BC Hydro and utility bills to determine the amount of energy saved.  The date collected will be reviewed and the viability of the project will be determined.

            This study will enable a bridge between green design and cost effective re-design. This experiment will prove if the re design is feasible, and will clarify that this is a step on the road to a greener neighborhood.  Due to the increase in hydro, this project will require long lasting building materials and durable supplies. In order to do this we will “focus on the various impacts which the chain of causes and effects of the life cycle of a material has, in different scales and on short, middle, and long term.” (Maiellaro 2001, pg 208). The homeowner in Campbell River encourages not only completed design but presentation, as it is in a central location of their home. “Metal fireplaces are sold in a variety of sizes, colors and coatings. Some are made of porcelain enamel steel in a choice of colors” (Weidhass, 1974, pg 218)

Plans for Dissemination of Work:

            This research will be recorded and logged in a journal during the process of modifying the domestic hot water pre heat system.  This information will be located on a blog and open to the general public to view data and contribute to research.

Contribution of the Project to your academic goals and objectives:

            Growing up on Vancouver Island in a home heated by a wood stove has enabled me to recognize the benefits of wood stoves compared to gas and electric fireplaces.  My parents home is a single family rancher approx. 1500 sq.ft., the wood stove has always provided sufficient heat to keep us warm overnight.  Unfortunately we realized our hot water tank had inefficient ability to produce enough hot water for the family’s showers.  Acknowledging the problem, I concluded there must be a way to take advantage of the wood stove’s heat and channel it into the hot water tank somehow. If the hot water tank can conserve energy on the initial heating of the water, we lengthen the water use and save energy it takes to initially heat the water.  This will be monitored by a series of data sheets providing temperature readings from the multiple locations throughout the home.  If this project proves to be feasible, those who struggle with lack of hot water will be encouraged to take the same steps to provide longer and more hot water usage.  This will also lead us to see a difference in our monthly utility bills, and as hydro increases by 30% in the next 3 years, this will become a long term money saver.