Assessment of the Feasibility of Implementing Shower Heat Exchangers in Residential Buildings Based on Users’ Energy Saving Preferences

Sabina Kordana-Obuch, Mariusz Starzec and Daniel Słyś
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Sabina Kordana-Obuch: Department of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Mariusz Starzec: Department of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Daniel Słyś: Department of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-30

Abstract: In Poland, domestic hot water is heated mainly using fossil fuel energy sources. Such an approach results in the depletion of natural resources, pollution of the atmosphere and, consequently, irreversible changes to the climate. In response to this problem, this research identified the factors that most determine energy savings for heating water in residential buildings, as well as those that affect the choice of an alternative energy source. Additionally, the possibility of implementing shower heat exchangers in existing and newly built residential buildings was assessed, as well as society’s willingness to use such devices. The research was carried out on a sample of 462 inhabitants of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship (Poland). A questionnaire survey was used as a tool. The conducted research has shown that the perspective of environmental protection is not a sufficient motivator to save energy for heating domestic hot water. It is necessary to implement appropriate programs aimed at informing the public about the possibilities offered by the use of alternative energy sources and co-financing the purchase of appropriate devices. In the case of drain water heat recovery systems, a significant problem is also the need to develop new, highly effective designs of shower heat exchangers which can be installed under the floor linear shower drain or on the horizontal shower waste pipe.

Keywords: Cramér’s V coefficient; drain water heat recovery; greywater heat recovery; heuristics; measure of association; Podkarpackie Voivodeship; Poland; survey research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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