HOT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent degradation of the heat efficiency of an entire hot water supply system while securing the capacity of a hot water storage tank. SOLUTION: This hot water supply system comprises a hot water producing means 10 for producing hot water, a downstream-side hot water storage tank 21, an intermediate hot water storing portion 22 and an upstream-side hot water storage tank 23 for storing the hot water produced by the hot water producing means 10, hot water supply pipes 64, 65 for supplying the hot water stored in the downstream-side hot water storage tank 21 and the intermediate hot water storing portion 22, an intermediate water temperature sensor 32 for detecting a temperature of hot water in the intermediate storing portion 22, and a control portion 60 for selectively providing a first hot water supply state for supplying the hot water in the downstream-side hot water storage tank 21 to a hot water storing pipe, a second hot water supply state for supplying the hot water in the intermediate hot water storing portion 22 to the hot water supply pipe 64 through an intermediate pipe, and a third hot water supply state for supplying the hot water in both of the downstream-side hot water storage tank 21 and the intermediate hot water storing portion 22 to the hot water supply pipe 64 on the basis of the water temperature detected by the intermediate water temperature sensor 32. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT