Mapping of domestic hot water circulation losses in buildings – results from 134 measurements

The hot water circulation system in a building is a system which helps prevent Legionella problems whilst ensuring that tenants have access to hot water quickly. Poorly designed or implemented systems not only increase the risk to people’s health and thermal comfort, but even result in an increase in the energy needed for this system to function properly. Results from previous studies showed that the total hot water circulation system loss can be as high as 25 kWh/m2 heated floor area per year. The purpose of this project is to measure the total energy use per year of the hot water circulation system in about 200 multifamily dwellings of different ages to verify that a system loss of 4 kWh/m2, year is a realistic assumption for both newer and older/retrofitted buildings. The preliminary results from the first 134 measurements showed that the assumption of 4 kWh/m2, year is rarely fulfilled. An average energy use of more than three times this is more common, even in newer buildings. Whilst some of the total energy lost is used to heat the buildings, it is not desirable because it is an uncontrolled energy flow.