Solar domestic hot water regulation in the Latin American residential sector with the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: The case of Chile

Abstract

The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive can contribute to developing energy savings and efficiency regulations in the growing Latin American residential sector. This research focuses on evaluating the impacts of aspects that are related to the use of solar thermal energy to partially meet domestic hot water needs using Spanish and Chilean regulations as a reference. The objective of this work is to evaluate the characteristics of the thermal solar systems that are necessary to comply with the regulatory requirements of both countries and the possibility of replacing these systems with electric heat pumps in multifamily buildings in the main Chilean communes. The best regulation for maximizing the solar thermal energy in the different solar climate zones and the main characteristics of the electric heat pumps that would achieve the same primary energy savings or the same CO2 emissions reductions as thermal solar systems were identified. It is clear from studies of this type that the existing legislation can be significantly improved. It is necessary to broaden the understanding of the other aspects of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive for its possible implementation in Latin American countries.