Optimisation of the operation of a domestic hot water heating system based on virtual sensors

Research output: Contribution to conferencesPresentation slidesContributedpeer-review

Abstract

The aim of decarbonising the heat supply of residential buildings requires among other things a more efficient domestic hot water supply to reduce final energy consumption. At the same time, certain operating parameters (temperatures, retention times) must be ensured to satisfy comfort and hygiene requirements, primarily to pre-vent legionella.
A system, consisting of a central heating storage tank and a central fresh water station can reach hygiene requirements and improve the efficiency and flexibility of the heat supply, regardless of the heat generator/source. A temperature maintenance band can maintain the required temperature in the domestic hot water installation. By using this self-regulating electric heating system to compensate heat losses, low return temper-atures from the fresh water station are possible. Additionally, monitoring this system allows data to be collected from the distribution pipe without the need for additional sensors.
This paper presents a method of optimising the domestic hot water heating for an residential building by using data from a temperature maintenance band. Firstly, the process of preparing the measured data (electrical variables) for further use (thermal variables) is presented. Then, an algorithm is introduced which uses this data to ana-lyse usage profiles and ensure hygienic operations and reduce energy consumptions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jun 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

Title15th REHVA HVAC World Congress CLIMA
SubtitleDecarbonized, healthy and energy conscious buildings in future climates
Abbreviated titleCLIMA 2025
Conference number15
Duration4 - 6 June 2025
Website
Degree of recognitionInternational event
LocationPolitecnico di Milano & Online
CityMilan
CountryItaly

External IDs

ORCID /0009-0003-0823-8582/work/190134659

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals