Environmental implications of water efficient microcomponents in residential buildings

The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) in England sets out various water efficiency targets/levels, which form part of environmental performance criteria against which the sustainability of a building is measured. The code is performance based and requires reduction in per capita water consumption in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2010-11, Vol.408 (23), p.5828-5835
Main Authors: Fidar, A., Memon, F.A., Butler, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants - analysis
Applied sciences
Buildings
Buildings. Public works
Carbon
Carbon - analysis
Carbon emissions
Conservation of Natural Resources - methods
Emissions control
Energy consumption
Energy use
Exact sciences and technology
Households
Housing - statistics & numerical data
Microcomponents
Reduction
Residential building
Sustainability
Types of buildings
Water consumption
Water demand management
Water Supply - analysis
Water Supply - legislation & jurisprudence
Water Supply - statistics & numerical data
Water supply. Pipings. Water treatment
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Summary:The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) in England sets out various water efficiency targets/levels, which form part of environmental performance criteria against which the sustainability of a building is measured. The code is performance based and requires reduction in per capita water consumption in households. The water efficiency related targets can be met using a range of water efficient microcomponents (WC, showers, kitchen taps, basin taps, dishwashers, washing machines, and baths). However, while the CSH aims at reducing the adverse environmental implications associated with the dwellings by promoting reduction in water consumption, little is known about the energy consumption and the environmental impacts (e. g. carbon emissions) resulting from water efficient end uses. This paper describes a methodology to evaluate the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with the CSH's water efficiency levels. Key findings are that some 96% and 87% of energy use and carbon emissions, respectively associated with urban water provision are attributable to in-house consumption (principally related to hot water), and that achieving a defined water efficiency target does not automatically save energy or reduce carbon emissions.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.08.006