Fluctuating temperature of the mains water throughout the year and its influence on the consumption of energy for the purposes of DHW preparation

Abstract

The article discusses the influence of the cold water temperature on the amount of energy consumed for the purposes of the DHW preparation in multi-family buildings. The article begins with a presentation of the DHW consumption readings from a multi-family building, recorded on a monthly basis during the period of 4 years. The readings constituted the base for calculating the demand for energy for the purposes of the DHW preparation. Subsequently, basing on the output water temperature readings from the water treatment plant, it was proved that the temperature of the mains water fluctuates throughout the year. The review of the available literature, as well as the measurements, confirmed that it is necessary to develop a new model of the cold water temperature that would take into account the type of intake in a water treatment plant. The final part of the article presents how the accepted assumptions about the temperature of the mains water influence the consumption of energy for the purposes of the DHW preparation.