2023ICERD8-C32 -- Air Conditioning Condensate Collection and Reuse for Water and Energy Conservation in KSA

Water is a scarce resource in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Demand on water is increasing due to industrial revolution, and population growth. Water conservation and utilization strategies are therefore vital to meet future demand in the region. Due to high moisture content in ambient air in the GCC region, condensate collection and reuse from Air Conditioning (AC) units presents one of the main strategies that can be adopted in the region. Water vapor in the air condenses on the AC unit’s cooling coil when it reaches its dew point. The amount of AC water condensate is function of climate conditions, relative humidity and wet bulb temperature of ambient air; therefore, it varies based on the geographical area. The water condensate is then collected on the AC unit’s drain pan, with a current practice to drain AC water condensate through sewer systems. To support the Kingdom’s vision in energy and water conservation, and circular economy, it is necessary to promote awareness and provide designers and proponents with a user-friendly tool to estimate amount of AC water condensate that can be potentially collected and reused in major cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The tool estimates the amount of AC water condensate based on historical hourly meteorological data of major cities in KSA. This paper will present the methodology that was used to develop the Air Conditioning Condensate Calculator and the anticipated monthly condensate that can be collected based on climate conditions and city location.