Abstract:
The research aims to study the life cycle costs of solar water heating system compared to heat pump
water heating system, electric heater water heating and gas water heating. Data collections from
suppliers and case studies of water heating of solar, heat pump, electric heater and gas water heater
sites survey are conducted. Four systems are producing the exact same amount of hotel capacity of
100 rooms, hot water temperature of 60?C. The analysis results show that the average life cycle
costs of solar water heater, heat pump water heater, electric heater water heater and gas water heater
for a lifetime of 15 years are 1,020,110 Bath, 397,669 Bath, 740,006 Bath and 569,646 Bath
respectively. Annual life cycle cost of heat pump water heater is lower than other systems and solar
water heater is higher than other systems. However, life cycle cost of solar water heater is higher
than that of electric heater during year 1 to year 7, then, annual life cycle cost of solar water heater
is decreased due to the operating cost of solar water heater is reduced. Therefore, solar water heating
can be cost effective especially for consumers who maintain maintenance requirements.