Se presenta un estudio del potencial de sustitución de fuentes convencionales por energía solar térmica, para el abastecimiento de la demanda energética de agua de consumo sanitario residencial. La sustitución se evalúa en base a un potencial técnico que aplica el método f-chart y a un indicador de carga térmica unitaria, desarrollados en un entorno de sistemas de información geográfica. Se obtuvieron mapas de carga térmica unitaria, demanda energética y potencial técnico de sustitución. Los resultados obtenidos constituyen un sistema de soporte a las decisiones que permitirá planificar la implementación sustentable de sistemas solares de calentamiento de agua. ; The energy demand for heating water for sanitary consumption represents a significant proportion of the residential consumption of gas and electricity. Solar water heating systems have potential to supply such demand, but their regional implementation requires the formulation of energy policies based on the estimation of solar potential and the evaluation of energy demand. We present a study of the potential of substitution of conventional sources for solar thermal, to supply the energy demand of residential sanitary water. The substitution is evaluated based on a technical potential applying the fchart method and a unit thermal load indicator, developed in a geographic information systems environment. We obtained maps of unit thermal load, energy demand and technical substitution potential. The obtained results constitute a system of support to the decisions that will allow to plan the sustainable implementation of solar systems of water heating. ; Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES)