  We use the PSCz galaxy redshift catalogue combined with constrained
simulations based on the IRAS 1.2 Jy galaxy density field to estimate the
contribution of hot gas in the local universe to the SZ-effect on large scales.
We produce a full sky Healpix map predicting the SZ-effect from clusters as
well as diffuse hot gas within 80Mpc/h. Performing cross-correlation tests
between this map and the WMAP data in pixel, harmonic and wavelet space we can
put an upper limit on the effect. We conclude that the SZ effect from diffuse
gas in the local universe cannot be detected in current CMB data and is not a
contaminating factor on large scales (l<60) in studies of the CMB angular
anisotropies. However, for future high sensitivity experiments observing at a
wider range of frequencies, the predicted large scale SZ effect could be of
importance.
