It is important to be aware of the various levels of water hardness that exist throughout the country. High levels may indicate that some form of water treatment is necessary. Local water companies can provide information on local water conditions, and water treatment manufacturers are also good sources of information. Along with questions of water conservation comes the problem of energy waste. In addition, some state health departments have water temperature regulations.
Some states have their own standards for different facility types.
In the past few years, we have added the use of heat maintenance tape to our list of options for water heating systems. Unlike the more commonly known heat trace tape used for water pipe freeze protection, heat maintenance tape is used to maintain hot water temperature at or near the point of use. This system can be used in place of a circulation system, which requires a circulating pipe and pump that may run 24 hours a day. The system prevents hot water from dropping below its intended setpoint during periods of low usage. As the demand for hot water increases and the tape thermostat is satisfied, energy to the heat maintenance tape is turned off until water temperature begins to drop.