Stratified hot water insulated tube storage system integrated into building interstitial space

Abstract

One or more embodiments relates to a hot water storage system and a method for storing hot water, the system including at least one oversized diameter tube and at least one plumbing line diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with at least the at least one oversized diameter tube. The at least one oversized diameter tube is further coupled to and in fluid communication with a building hot water source.

1 . A hot water storage system comprising:
 at least one oversized diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with a building hot water source; and   at least one plumbing line diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with at least the at least one oversized diameter tube.   
     
     
         2 . The hot water storage system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one oversized diameter tube has a diameter ranging between about 3″ and 6″. 
     
     
         3 . The hot water storage system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one plumbing line diameter tube has a diameter ranging between about ½″ and 1″. 
     
     
         4 . The hot water storage system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the oversized diameter tube and the plumbing line diameter tube is comprised of lead, copper or a high-density polyethylene material. 
     
     
         5 . The hot water storage system of  claim 4  wherein the high-density polyethylene material is selected from the group consisting of HDPE, PEX-a, PEX-b and CPVC. 
     
     
         6 . The hot water storage system of  claim 4  wherein the at least one of the oversized diameter tube and the plumbing line diameter tube are comprised of the same high-density polyethylene material. 
     
     
         7 . The hot water storage system of  claim 4  wherein the at least one of the oversized diameter tube and the plumbing line diameter tube are comprised of different high-density polyethylene material. 
     
     
         8 . The hot water storage system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the oversized diameter tube and the plumbing line diameter tube is insulated. 
     
     
         9 . The hot water storage system of  claim 1  wherein the building hot water source is selected from the group consisting of a heat pump water heater, instantaneous water heater, and a solar water heater. 
     
     
         10 . The hot water storage system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one plumbing line diameter tube is coupled to at least the at least one oversized diameter tube using storage tube constriction. 
     
     
         11 . The hot water storage system of  claim 10  wherein the storage tube constriction is selected from the group consisting of PEX heating, a collar crimping application, and a coupling reduction fitting. 
     
     
         12 . A stratified hot water storage system integrated into a building interstitial space, the hot water storage system comprising:
 an oversized diameter tube having a first diameter;   a first plumbing line diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with the oversized diameter tube and a building hot water source, the first plumbing line diameter tube having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and   a second plumbing line diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with the oversized diameter tube and a water supply device, the second plumbing line diameter tube having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter.   
     
     
         13 . The hot water storage system of  claim 12 , wherein the third diameter is less than or equal to the second diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The hot water storage system of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the second diameter and third diameter ranges between about ½″ and 1″. 
     
     
         15 . The hot water storage of  claim 12  wherein the first diameter ranges between about 3″ and 6″. 
     
     
         16 . The hot water storage system of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the oversized diameter tube, the first plumbing line diameter tube, and the second plumbing line diameter tube is comprised of lead, copper or a high-density polyethylene material selected from the group consisting of HDPE, PEX-a, PEX-b and CPVC. 
     
     
         17 . The hot water storage system of  claim 16  wherein at least two of the oversized diameter tube, the first plumbing line diameter tube, and the second plumbing line diameter tube are comprised of the same high-density polyethylene material. 
     
     
         18 . The hot water storage system of  claim 16  wherein at least two of the oversized diameter tube, the first plumbing line diameter tube, and the second plumbing line diameter tube are comprised of different high-density polyethylene material. 
     
     
         19 . The hot water storage system of  claim 12  wherein the second plumbing line diameter tube is coupled to and in fluid communication with at least one of a kitchen faucet, a bathroom faucet, a shower spigot, a tub spigot, a shower head, a washing machine, a dishwasher and a sink faucet. 
     
     
         20 . A method for providing hot water in a building comprising:
 heating water in a building hot water supply forming the hot water;   providing the hot water to an oversized diameter tube, forming stored hot water in the oversized diameter tube;   receiving a demand for the hot water; and   meeting a least a portion of the demand for the hot water using the stored hot water in the oversized diameter tube.