Potential for energy savings through reductions in hot water consumption

Technical Report · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7355558

Muller, J G

America's patterns of heated water use are investigated. The report estimates the energy savings obtained from various methods of using hot water; it evaluates the economic, social, and institutional problems involved in using hot water, and makes recommendations for legislation concerning hot water consumption. This study sets forth some of the many possible techniques for conserving hot water. Implementation in some cases requires changes in building codes and/or new legislation. The report also estimates energy savings that would result from the more promising energy conservation measures proposed. The topics discussed in this report include the following: use patterns of heated water; water heaters, their efficiency, how heat loss can be reduced, reduction of tank size, and complete electricity/gas shut off for periods when the home is unoccupied; how piping heat losses can be reduced by insulation, reduced pipe size, lower heater thermostat setting, and by combining hydronic space heating systems with domestic hot water systems; how hot water use for showers can be reduced; and how appliance efficiency can be improved. (39 references) (GRA)

• Research Organization: Federal Energy Administration, Washington, D.C. (USA); Federal Energy Administration, Office of Energy Conservation and Environment, Office of Analysis, Evaluation and Systems Studies, Washington, DC 20461
• OSTI ID: 7355558
• Report Number(s): PB-247370
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
298000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
APPLIANCES
CONSUMPTION RATES
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY LOSSES
ENERGY RECOVERY
GAS APPLIANCES
HEAT LOSSES
HEAT RECOVERY
HEATERS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LEGISLATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PIPES
RECOVERY
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
WATER
WATER HEATERS