The energy performance of a hot water system is influenced by a number of factors. These typically include the amount of hot water used on a daily basis by the application or facility under consideration (flow rate), the duration of each use of hot water, the end-use water temperature required, as well as the supply temperature of the water available, and the use of a heat recovery device. Refer to the Hot Water System Schematic for more information.

Software & Data
The RETScreen Software Hot Water Model can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy use and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for hot water energy efficiency measures. The software can model a wide variety of projects ranging from installation of flow regulators on shower heads and faucets in houses and institutional buildings, to drain-water heat recovery in residential, commercial and institutional buildings and industrial facilities, to hot water temperature reduction in industrial processes and aquaculture applications, to installation of energy-efficient water heaters or boilers. The software contains a database of typical daily hot water use for loads such as houses, apartments, hotels and motels, hospitals, offices, restaurants, schools, laundry rooms and car washes. The software (available in multiple languages) also includes product, project and climate databases, and a detailed user manual.

Click here to download RETScreen 4 (44 MB).

e-Textbook / Guides
Water and Compressed Air Systems - Guide (2.96 MB)
Heat Recovery from Kitchen Refrigeration - Technical fact sheet (318 KB)
Heat Recovery with Boiler Stack Economizers - Technical fact sheet (306 KB)

Case studies / Templates
Energy efficiency - Commercial - MNECB
Energy efficiency measures - Industrial - Manufacturing - Plastic
Energy efficiency measures - Residential - Hot water - Apartment building
Energy efficiency measures - Residential - House - Energy efficient
Energy efficiency - Residential - MNECB