I am simulating a hotel building. Domestic hot water requirement will be contributed by solar powered calorifier. Electric hot water system will be provided for back up. Is it fine if I neglect the back up electrical system, and show 100% savings from solar powered water heating system. Will that be acceptable to LEED reviewer. If not, kindly advise me how to model electrical back up water heating system.
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Jean Marais
b.i.g. Bechtold DesignBuilder Expert832 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 4:33 am
This sounds like a software specific question. Typically, the solar thermal systems support the water heating, but do not cover it completly...at least in Germany. It depends on many things, like climate for one, heat storage tank size, and so on. I would prefer if you model it, otherwise you need to prove that indeed an electric heating will not jump on during a typical weather year.
Achelles DSouza
Sustainability EngineerFreelance Building Simulator
7 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 5:13 am
Thank you for your response. I take your preference. To accomodate the back up electric system consumption, I will consider a savings of 75% rather than 100% electric savings in domestic hot water system (hot water in kitchen sink, bathroom faucets, showerheads). Hope thats fine with the LEED reviewer.
Megan Kris
1 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 5:57 am
75% is a better option. This is more considerate in a review than 100% savings with a electric powered backup system in place.
Jean Marais
b.i.g. Bechtold DesignBuilder Expert832 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 6:48 am
In my own home, I have solar thermal heating support. It covers all the drinking hot water all year round theoretically, but only 10% of the overall heating costs if you take both heating the house and hot water into account. I would be interested as to the design and the actual number that the manufacturer is claiming as a "proposed" savings...if that number is indeed 75%. I need about 9 m² Solar Collector Area and a 750 L tank for 4 people. I would wonder how much you need for a hotel with commercial kitchen to boot.
Achelles DSouza
Sustainability EngineerFreelance Building Simulator
7 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 7:35 am
This is a 5 star hotel building. Around 45 units of solar panels each 2 sqm will be provided in the roof. Also around 11000 litre volume of storage tank will be provided.
VICTOR MORENO
Green Building Energy ConsultantGreen Living Projects
2 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 8:28 am
I think the system may be modelled to take credit.
Achelles, I would check if the software permit to simulate solar system with water heater.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5907 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 10:06 am
I agree that 75% is typical and reasonable. This can be simulated however. If your software does not do it perhaps you could try RETScreen or perhaps the solar panel manufacturer could do these calcualtions for you. Actual calculations will be better received by the reviewer as compared to an assumed 75%.
Achelles DSouza
Sustainability EngineerFreelance Building Simulator
7 thumbs up
November 11, 2020 - 10:59 pm
@Victor, just a little modification in input parameters is needed. As per water calculation, if the hot water consumption in baseline is 5 gpm, then in proposed case with solar hot water system, the input water consumption is taken as 0 gpm to show 100% savings, 2.5 gpm to show 50% savings and so on..