Energy savings potential in domestic hot water supply in Germany

Transformation of Domestic Hot Water (DHW) supply to lower influx temperatures while meeting sanitary requirements is one of the main goals in the current energy transition. Lower Temperatures would facilitate the usage of renewable heat sources. Germany’s tap water directive favors the hygienic factor, suggesting high flow temperatures. This contribution provides an estimate of the reduction in end energy as well as emissions. This involves heat loss calculations in connection with assumptions to today’s building stock.

Information about the current building stock is furthermore expanded with the published census data. In Germany, substantial potential for emission reduction is demonstrated. On a district basis, the population density in municipality is examined, resulting in possible refurbishment paths for district heating systems. Future work on this issue will have to add more information in the conducted calculations to gain detailed access to the interactions inside a building’s DHW system.