Environmental assessment of domestic solar hot water systems: a case study in residential and hotel buildings
Author/s
Zambrana-Vasquez, David; Aranda-Usón, Alfonso; Zabalza-Bribián, Ignacio; Jañez, Alberto; Llera-Sastresa, Eva; [et al.]Date
2015-02-01Keywords
Life Cycle Assessment
Environmental impact assessment
Building energy systems
Domestic solar hot water systems
Eco-efficiency
Energy savings
Abstract
Domestic solar hot water systems (SHWS), which are used to reduce domestic energy use, represent one of the most widely known technologies of solar thermal applications. Taking into account the sizing of these systems during its design phase, it is also important to consider the effects on the environment of their use from a life cycle perspective. An evaluation method based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is used in this paper to analyse the environmental implications of SHWS considering the production, use, maintenance and end-of-life stages. As a case study, 32 different types of SWHS to meet the hot water demand (HWD) of 2 dwellings and 2 hotels, located in the region of Aragón in Spain, are studied. The aim of the case study is to compare the environmental performance of SHWS and to select the best environmentally friendly solution while considering their energy pay-back time (EPBT).
From an environmental point of view, comparing the results obtained in all cases ...
Type
journal article