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Water Supply and Energy in Residential Buildings: Potential Savings and Financial Profitability

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  • Ramón Barberán

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, Gran Vía Street, 2, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain
    Environmental Sciences Institute (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna Street, 2, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Diego Colás

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, Gran Vía Street, 2, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Pilar Egea

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, Gran Vía Street, 2, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain
    Environmental Sciences Institute (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna Street, 2, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

This article examines the suitability of water supply installations in residential buildings for the pressure conditions of the main water network, and evaluates the energy saving possibilities associated with pumping water into homes. It assesses the situation and the options for renovation in a sample of 151 buildings in the city of Zaragoza (Spain), estimating the savings in electric power and the possible financial returns that could be obtained. The results show that in half the buildings, the installations are inadequate and lead to inefficient energy use, which could be avoided by renovation. However, they also show that in many cases, this type of retrofitting would not be profitable for the building owners, meaning that technically viable solutions may not necessarily be financially viable. To mitigate or avoid the energy inefficiency in question, the public sector could step in by informing and financing support for building owners and regulating in the areas of town planning and construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramón Barberán & Diego Colás & Pilar Egea, 2019. "Water Supply and Energy in Residential Buildings: Potential Savings and Financial Profitability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:295-:d:195903
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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