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PLUMBING CONNECTION
SPRING 2015 71
HEAT TRAPS
It is possible on installations where no heat trap is fitted
and the hot water outlet/plumbing rises from the water
heater connection at the top of the system, for the heated
water from the tank to circulate within the pipe.
During periods of no usage in the dwelling heated water rises
up the pipe until it cools and then falls back into the water
heater due to its increased density. This activity will increase
the heat loss from the system and increase running costs.
Most current Rheem models incorporate a dip tube which
conveys the hot water from the highest point inside the
concave top of the storage cylinder to the outlet connection
on the side of the cylinder. The dip tube acts as an integral
heat trap by restricting hot water in the cylinder from
circulating within the hot water plumbing.
AS3500.4 states that for installation using water heaters
with an integral heat trap (dip tube) a further heat trap is not
required.
The new Rheem range of electric stainless steel cylinders
with the hot water outlet at the top of the tank do require a
heat trap to be plumbed when taking the hot water line in an
upwards direction and across the dwelling to fixtures. The
trap needs to have a loop formed that extends 250mm lower
than the outlet at the top and then extends to the fixtures
being served (see diagram).
Jon Palfrey is Rheem Australia’s Training Manager. He
conducts training to plumbers and specifiers across the
southern states, covering the latest water heater technology
and key water heating issues facing plumbers.
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AVAILABLE FROM LEADING PLUMBING OUTLETS
HOT WATER OUTLET
IS LOCATED ON
TOP OF THE WATER
HEATER.
MINIMUM 250MM
FALL
TEMPERED WATER
OUTLET
COLD WATER
OUTLET
AN EXTERNAL HEAT
TRAP IS REQUIRED TO
BE INSTALLED
MUST BE WITHIN 1
METRE OF THE HOT
WATER OUTLET,
BEFORE THE
FIRST HOT WATER
BRANCH AND HAVE
A VERTICAL DROP
OF 250MM FROM
THE OUTLET OF THE
WATER HEATER
HOT OUTLET