(MENAFN - Jordan Times) Solar water heater users across the country are suffering water losses due to poor installation, undermining efforts to shift the country towards renewable energy, a survey revealed on Monday.
A USAID-supported study carried out by the Public Action for Water Energy and Environment project showed that the majority of solar water heaters in Jordan are not in compliance with the country's plumbing codes, with poor installation resulting in the loss of large amounts of water before it reaches citizens' faucets and showerheads.
In a survey of 155 households across the capital, the project found that users of solar water heaters lost an average of eight litres of cold water per shower, with some households losing as much as 15 litres.
Poor performance and water loss are dissuading citizens from going solar, threatening efforts to enforce a planned solar energy code: a set of regulations set to be introduced by the National Building Council by the end of the year that will require all new residential buildings to rely on solar water heaters.
In the study, unveiled at a public forum on solar water heaters on Monday, the project presented several recommendations to curb water loss and poor solar water installation.
By ensuring that instillation firms abide by the proposed solar energy code and existing plumbing regulations, the country could save up to 22.3 million cubic metres of water over the next decade, according to the study.
The project also recommended proper thermal installation to maximise the effectiveness of solar water heaters and educating citizens on the impact of poor installation as well as regulations granting customers a grace period in order to test for any water loss.
Department of Statistics figures indicate that solar water heater penetration in the Kingdom has dropped from 14 per cent to 11 per cent in recent years, setting back efforts to encourage an energy-saving culture in Jordan.
According to the Ministry of Environment, energy saving measures have the potential to reduce up to 30 per cent of energy consumption, saving the Kingdom some JD620 million annually across various sectors.
