"Harry K" writes:
wrote:
snip
:-)
Now you might ask yourself what's really going on he
The humid weather is resulting in "sweaty" cold water pipes in our
basement...
...***I find that the condensation only occurs on the first few feet
of pipe in from the ground*** Is it possible that conduction causes the
water in the first few feet of pipe to stay cold all the time leading
to heavy condensation while beyond that the water for the most part
has warmed up...?
I think the OP is saying the incoming water is warming up to the dew point
of the basement air. If condensation never occurs beyond the first few feet
of pipe, even when water is flowing, the pipe is warming flowing water in
real time, which is a much more important saving than the warming of small
amounts of water between uses.
Nick
Do you -really- think that water coming in at 50 degrees (IINM that is
about normal underground temp) at high velocity, at least that of an
open fixture, is going to pick up much useable heat in 10 ft?
I suspect he is referring to non-flowing conditions. I kind of lost
track here. Does he say that it is in a basement? In my case it is
and the pipe is coated with condensate from the point it enters until
it disappears into the ceiling joists. Temp in my basement is around
65, too cool to sit down there in a t-shirt.
Harry K
Harry K
OK -- I am the OP, so let me clarify some points.
1. Yes, the condensation only appears on the first 6 feet or so of the
1" pipe. That pipe runs vertically near the basement wall where the
city supply enters. The 1" pipe is pretty dry after it turns
horizontal and continues to be dry as it branches off to the water
heater and converts down and branches to 1/2" pipe runs for the house
cold water supply.
About 1/3 up the initial vertical 1" pipe run, the 1" pipe bifurcates
to supply the underground sprinkler system. This bifurcated pipe rises
in parallel with the rest of house supply for about 3 ft and then
exits the house. This run also "sweats" heavily.
My initial thought was that the 2 hour runs of the sprinkler may be
primarily responsible for the sweating. However, I have not noticed
significant variability in the condensation between days (and times)
that the sprinkler runs vs. when it doesn't.
Also, the rest of house supply pipe continues to have heavy condensate
for 2-3 feet above where the sprinkler branches.
Also, btw, we heat the hot water with gas and we live in New England.
Finally, last night I insulated the first 10 feet or so of the 1" runs
(except around the valves and water meter), plus the branch to the
sprinkler system.
We will see what happens (though today is significantly less humid so
it may not give it a good test).