Abstract
This paper analyses two different models (methods) used for determination of water consumption in residential buildings. For this purpose, some basic sanitation facilities were implemented in the models as typical household equipment. As there is a big variety of sanitary solutions available, in order to achieve a significant reduction in water consumption, a novel classification of faucets (taps and mixers) is proposed. This classification also allows for the assessment of energy efficiency ratings of sanitary appliances. On the basis of this classification, water savings resulting from the use of faucets with different water efficiency ratios were determined. Depending on the type of faucet, it is possible to achieve more than 50% water savings, as well as a significant reduction in energy demand for heating and pumping water to customers. The paper also discusses the equations used to determine the energy demand for domestic hot-water preparation and its pumping to consumers. The results of the energy consumption calculations for the above-mentioned purposes were determined per person.
Highlights
Increasing economic growth, the development of industrialized countries and introduction of modern technologies have contributed to more and more attention paid to the efficient management of renewable natural resources
The principles discussed in the previous papers [23, 28] and [48] can be used to estimate the water consumption in a residential building
The analyses focused on the above-mentioned groups of sanitary appliances because they are characterized by significant differences in the level of water consumption
Summary
Increasing economic growth, the development of industrialized countries and introduction of modern technologies have contributed to more and more attention paid to the efficient management of renewable natural resources. One example of such resources is water, which circulates and is constantly renewed in the so-called hydrological cycle. Increasing demand for water caused, for example, by population growth and industrial development, results in changes in the world water balance. These processes increase, inter alia, the costs of obtaining freshwater and the problem of drinking water shortage. Before water reaches specific customers, it is necessary to: determine the water demand in the building, design the necessary number of sanitary facilities, assume the appropriate number of faucets and taps, plan the proper distribution of pipes, select the proper pipe size, determine the pressure drops in the water supply system, select the appropriate control-testing unit, shut-off valves, pressure boosters and devices to prevent uncontrolled pressure increase
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