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Show Requirements for the insulation of hot water pipes in all new construction. Public Law 102- 575, Subsection 207( f)( 2)( G) L Background Insulation of hot water pipes is intended to conserve water that runs through pipes and down the drain while waiting for the desired temperature to be achieved. Many uses in the home today such as clothes washers, dishwashers and tub/ showers do not bypass water. Instead, they capture all flow, and temperature is regulated as the water levels increase. With regards to sink use and hand washing basins, much of the same rationale prevails. Most dishwashers only have a hot water supply, and they use water that comes through a water line. The machine internally heats the water to a required temperature. In this situation, insulation of hot water pipes will not save water. The shower uses a major amount of hot water in a home because water is typically run unused until a desired temperature is reached. Insulation of hot water pipes allows energy conservation, which is a secondary benefit to water conservation. Many utilities have programs for energy conservation that include insulation of water heater and hot water lines. In commercial buildings, the current general practice is to insulate hot water lines that carry water long distances from boilers and heaters. Industrial plant hot water lines are generally insulated for safety and energy efficiency as water temperatures are required to be higher for in- plant use than residential use. Because of the aforementioned needs for energy efficiency in hot water transmission, large businesses and industries use insulation as a standard practice in new construction. Status No jurisdiction in the state of Utah currently requires insulation of hot water pipes in residences. Potential Water Savings Water savings from decreased shower water down the drain were calculated assuming a typical water heater to shower pipe run of 100 feet of 3/ 4 inch diameter copper tubing. A 30- year life for the installation was also assumed. The maximum amount of water wasted would consist of the entire volume in the tubing from the water heater to the showerhead, or almost 2.3 gallons. Based on a 1994 projection from the Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the typical household consisted of 3.21 persons in 1990. That figure will decrease to 2.82 by 2020. The average, then, is three persons per household. Assuming one shower per day per person in the household, the maximum amount of water saved daily is estimated at 6.9 gallons. The estimated yearly savings would be 2,520 gallons, and the lifetime savings would be 75,500 gallons or 0.23 acre- foot per household over 30 years. Cost Effectiveness Cost of insulating hot water pipes in new residential construction is estimated at $ 2.00 per foot. Of this cost, $ 0.20 per foot is for |