Factors that determine hot and cold-water consumption in social housing apartments

Abstract

Water consumption in social housing is related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Hot, cold, and total daily water consumption of 220 residential units in two social housing complexes in Southern Brazil were investigated to examine how they relate to construction features, user behavior, weather, and socioeconomic factors. The units in both complexes are similar in size, water fixtures, and hot water systems. However, each complex is equipped with a distinct type of cold-water tank. Units with central water towers consume more water than do those with water tanks on their roofs. According to the linear regression, the use of a solar water heating system increases water consumption, thus reinforcing the need for holistic sustainability in design. The number of people and composition of households were also predictors of water consumption, with single-occupant households consuming the most water per capita. These findings imply that the consideration of different construction alternatives and household diversity during the design phase can lead to more sustainable social housing projects.