A method for substantially retaining the temperature of a liquid in a liquid distribution system having a number of liquid conduits extending from a liquid source (1, 2, 3; 22; 22') via at least one feed line (6, 6", 6"') and a respective control valve , adjacent to the respective connection to the feed line, to a liquid tap at the end of each liquid conduit, comprising the steps of - evacuating the liquid from the respective liquid conduit when a tapping operation is finished in the associated liquid tap , by generating a backward pressure gradient in said respective liquid conduit, by means of a pump (5, 5', 5"), causing the liquid to flow backwards from said liquid tap towards said liquid source, while letting a gas flow into the liquid conduit and replacing the backwardly flowing liquid therein, - stopping said backward flow of liquid when the respective liquid conduit is evacuated, - evacuating the gas from the liquid conduit when liquid is to be tapped again from said liquid tap, by generating a forward pressure gradient in said respective liquid conduit causing the liquid to flow from said liquid source to said associated liquid tap , and - arranging a pressure sensor in said respective liquid conduit adjacent to said control valve , characterized in - sensing by means of said pressure sensor, during a tapping operation, whether there is a pressure increase, indicating that the liquid tap in said respective liquid conduit has been closed, manually or by remote control, and - after sensing such a pressure increase and there being no forward flow in the other liquid conduits , activating said pump (5, 5', 5") so as to evacuate the liquid from said respective liquid conduit by generating said backward pressure gradient by means of said pump and bringing about a backward flow of liquid from said respective liquid conduit via said control valve and said feed line (6, 6", 6"') back to said liquid source (1, 2, 3; 22; 22'), while letting a gas flow into the respective liquid conduit and replacing the backwardly flowing liquid therein. - evacuating the liquid from the respective liquid conduit when a tapping operation is finished in the associated liquid tap , by generating a backward pressure gradient in said respective liquid conduit, by means of a pump (5, 5', 5"), causing the liquid to flow backwards from said liquid tap towards said liquid source, while letting a gas flow into the liquid conduit and replacing the backwardly flowing liquid therein, - stopping said backward flow of liquid when the respective liquid conduit is evacuated, - evacuating the gas from the liquid conduit when liquid is to be tapped again from said liquid tap, by generating a forward pressure gradient in said respective liquid conduit causing the liquid to flow from said liquid source to said associated liquid tap , and - arranging a pressure sensor in said respective liquid conduit adjacent to said control valve , characterized in - sensing by means of said pressure sensor, during a tapping operation, whether there is a pressure increase, indicating that the liquid tap in said respective liquid conduit has been closed, manually or by remote control, and - after sensing such a pressure increase and there being no forward flow in the other liquid conduits , activating said pump (5, 5', 5") so as to evacuate the liquid from said respective liquid conduit by generating said backward pressure gradient by means of said pump and bringing about a backward flow of liquid from said respective liquid conduit via said control valve and said feed line (6, 6", 6"') back to said liquid source (1, 2, 3; 22; 22'), while letting a gas flow into the respective liquid conduit and replacing the backwardly flowing liquid therein. <EOS>