Energy consumption monitoring system, optimization method, and decentralized water supply station

Abstract

An energy consumption monitoring system (100) for a residential unit is proposed, comprising a data acquisition component (110), an evaluation component (130), and a configuration component (120). The data acquisition component (110) is configured to regularly acquire operating data from a decentralized water supply station (1), wherein the operating data includes sensor data regarding the consumption of heating energy and domestic hot water, in particular drinking water, for a residential unit. The evaluation component (130) is configured to generate a recommendation for action based on the acquired operating data, wherein the recommendation for action includes at least one proposal (160) for reducing the consumption of heating energy and / or domestic hot water in the residential unit.The configuration component (120) is set up to configure at least one component of a user installation (34) of the user unit according to at least one proposal (160). The data acquisition component (110) and the configuration component (120) are integrated into the decentralized water supply station (1).

Description

[0001] The application concerns an energy consumption monitoring system for a user unit, an optimization procedure for a user installation of a user unit, and a decentralized water supply station for a single user unit.

[0002] Decentralized water supply stations for individual units are known from the prior art. For example, EP 2 369 243 A2 discloses a so-called apartment station for a building services system that very efficiently provides domestic hot water for apartments, offices, shops, and building units. Such decentralized water supply stations represent an interface between a building installation and a user installation within an individual unit, in particular for connecting installations within an apartment with the installation outside the apartment to form a central heating system.

[0003] The division of building technology systems, especially for the distribution of water and heat, into central components of a building installation and other components, which are handled by a decentralized water supply station in the area of ​​a single user unit, brings with it a number of advantages, such as improved energy efficiency and better adaptability to the needs of the respective users.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to further improve the energy efficiency of such building technology systems and decentralized supply stations. In particular, it should make it easier for users to minimize the energy consumption of their user installation.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, an energy consumption monitoring system for a user unit is proposed, comprising a data acquisition component, an evaluation component, and a configuration component. The data acquisition component is configured to regularly acquire operating data from a decentralized water supply station, wherein the operating data includes sensor data regarding the consumption of heating energy and domestic hot water, in particular potable hot water, for the user unit. The evaluation component is configured to generate a recommendation for action based on the acquired operating data, wherein the recommendation for action includes at least one suggestion for reducing the consumption of heating energy and / or domestic hot water in the user unit. The configuration component is configured to configure at least one component of a user installation of the user unit according to the at least one suggestion.The data acquisition component and the configuration component are integrated into the decentralized water supply station.

[0006] Integrating a data acquisition component and a configuration component of an energy consumption monitoring system into a decentralized water supply station enables user-centric monitoring and optimization of thermal energy consumption for a single unit. This gives users extensive control over their own energy consumption without requiring access to a higher-level building system. Furthermore, integrating key components of the energy consumption monitoring system into the decentralized water supply station provides a comprehensive overview of thermal energy flows within the user's installation. In particular, this eliminates the need to record heat energy consumption at each individual tap or for each individual heating circuit.In this way, the consumption of thermal energy can be reduced while maintaining or even increasing user comfort.

[0007] Optionally, the energy consumption monitoring system also includes a user interface component configured to display at least one suggested setting to a user of the user unit. This configuration component is designed to configure at least one component of the user installation according to the suggested setting only if the user accepts it via the user interface component. Such user involvement via a user interface component provides the user with better insight into their individual energy consumption and simultaneously increases the acceptance of suggestions from the energy consumption monitoring system.

[0008] Optionally, the user interface component can be designed as an app that runs on the user's device, particularly a smartphone. With this approach, no additional hardware is required on the user's side. Furthermore, it allows for particularly simple and convenient integration into other components of so-called smart home solutions.

[0009] Optionally, the evaluation component can be designed as a web service that is connected to the decentralized water supply station via at least one data network. In this configuration, an external, potentially high-performance web service can handle the optimization of numerous user units. Such a web service can be offered, in particular, via the internet or, if applicable, via the intelligent building management system of a larger building.

[0010] Alternatively, the evaluation component can be integrated into a control device of the decentralized water supply station. In this case, data exchange outside the water supply station is unnecessary. This solution is particularly suitable in scenarios where the exchange of individual consumption data by the user is not desired.

[0011] Optionally, the data acquisition component and / or the configuration component is integrated into a central electronic control unit of the decentralized water supply station. This central electronic control unit is further configured to manage the demand-based provision of domestic hot water. Such integration into a central control unit reduces the number of components required. If a decentralized water supply station already has an electronic control component, the data acquisition component and / or the configuration component can often be implemented without additional hardware by integrating additional program code. This can be done, for example, by updating existing control software or by adding corresponding functionality to newly developed control software. In both cases, it is advantageous that such a central control unit or...Control software usually already has access to suitable sensor data.

[0012] Alternatively, the data acquisition component and / or the configuration component are provided by a primary control device within the decentralized water supply station. This primary control device operates independently of a secondary control device within the decentralized water supply station, which controls the demand-based provision of domestic hot water. By providing an independent electronic control device within the decentralized water supply station, retrofitting existing stations is possible without interfering with their existing, potentially mechanical, control systems. For example, a relatively simple microcontroller with a number of connected sensors can be retrofitted into a decentralized water supply station and execute corresponding program code to implement the data acquisition component and / or the configuration component.

[0013] Optionally, the data acquisition component is configured to monitor one or, preferably, a plurality of the following parameters: a primary flow and return temperature of heating water supplied to the decentralized water supply station by a building installation; a secondary flow and return temperature of heating water supplied to a heating circuit of the user installation by the decentralized water supply station; optionally, an inlet temperature of fresh water, in particular potable cold water, supplied to the decentralized water supply station; in the case of multi-stage heating, optionally, a temperature of preheated fresh water preheated by a water-to-water heat exchanger of the decentralized water supply station; a domestic hot water temperature of the domestic hot water supplied by the decentralized water supply station to the user installation;a flow rate and / or water pressure of primary heating water; a flow rate and / or water pressure of secondary heating water; optionally a flow rate and / or water pressure of supplied fresh water; a flow rate and / or water pressure of supplied domestic hot water; and / or a switching state and / or a speed of an internal pump, in particular a circulation pump or a circulating pump, of the decentralized water supply station.

[0014] Based on the data mentioned above, all relevant water and energy flows within the decentralized water supply station, and thus indirectly within the user installation, can be monitored and logged. This data allows, in particular, the recording of how much thermal energy is transferred from the building installation to the user installation, and in which parts of the user installation the transferred thermal energy is consumed, for example, as heating or domestic hot water.

[0015] Optionally, the configuration component is set up to configure at least one of the following parameters of components in the user installation: a speed and / or a start-up cycle of an internal pump, in particular a circulation pump, of the decentralized water supply station; a speed and / or a start-up cycle of an external pump, in particular a circulation pump, of the user installation; a flow temperature and / or a start-up cycle of a heating circuit of the user installation; and / or a setpoint temperature for domestic hot water. In practice, it has been shown that parameters for configuring circulation pumps and setpoint temperatures are often only set by an installer during the initial installation of a decentralized water supply station.The behavior of an individual user cannot be adequately considered in this process, so default settings are usually chosen that are sufficient for a maximum assumed energy consumption. In practice, users' energy consumption is often significantly lower than the maximum assumed energy consumption, making further optimization of the aforementioned parameters during operation advisable from an energy perspective.

[0016] Optionally, the evaluation component is configured to detect a user's temporary absence based on operating data and, if absence is detected, to suggest temporarily switching off at least one internal pump, particularly a circulation pump and / or a circulating pump, and / or lowering the water temperature. Modern, intelligent, or self-learning evaluation algorithms often allow conclusions to be drawn about a user's presence or absence within the unit from recorded consumption data. If a user's absence is detected or suspected, parts of the user's installation can be switched off or at least reduced to a lower energy level to minimize energy consumption during periods of absence.

[0017] Optionally, the evaluation component is configured to generate a recommendation for adjusting at least one pump's speed and / or cycle based on an analysis of historical operating data regarding speeds, start-up cycles, flow rates, and / or pump pressure, particularly for a circulation pump. As described above, circulation pumps are often configured with unnecessarily high speeds or unnecessarily long start-up cycles during initial installation, which can be reduced during operation by monitoring actual consumption data.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, optimization methods are proposed for a user installation of a user unit, wherein the user installation is coupled to a building installation via a decentralized water supply station and is supplied with thermal energy by the building installation.The optimization process comprises the following steps: regular acquisition of operating data from the decentralized water supply station by a data acquisition component of the decentralized water supply station, wherein the operating data includes sensor data regarding the consumption of heating energy and domestic hot water, in particular drinking water, for the user unit; creation of a recommendation for action by an evaluation component based on the acquired operating data, wherein the recommendation for action includes at least one proposal for reducing the consumption of heating energy and / or domestic hot water in the user unit; and configuration of at least one component of the user installation by a configuration component of the decentralized water supply station according to the at least one proposal.

[0019] The steps mentioned above enable user-centric monitoring and optimization of thermal energy consumption for a single user unit, as described above with regard to the energy consumption monitoring system.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a decentralized water supply station for a single user unit is disclosed, in particular for use in the energy consumption monitoring system according to the first aspect or the optimization procedure according to the second aspect.The decentralized water supply station comprises: primary supply connections for connecting the decentralized water supply station to a primary flow and a primary return of a building installation; an inlet connection, in particular a potable water inlet, for connecting the decentralized water supply station to a fresh water supply line; a first outlet connection for providing domestic hot water, in particular potable hot water, for at least one tap of the user unit; secondary heating connections for providing heating water for at least one heating circuit of the user installation; a water-to-water heat exchanger for heating fresh water supplied via the inlet connection using thermal energy supplied via the primary flow; a plurality of sensors, in particular temperature and / or flow sensors; and an electronic control device.The electronic control device is designed to regularly record operating data of the water supply station, wherein the operating data includes sensor data from the majority of sensors regarding the consumption of heating energy and domestic hot water, in particular drinking water, for the user unit, to provide the recorded operating data to an evaluation component, and to configure at least one component of the user installation based on at least one suggestion from the evaluation component.

[0021] Such a decentralized residential supply station includes all the components required by the user to record and optimize energy consumption within the user unit, for example by use in the energy consumption monitoring system according to the first aspect or the optimization procedure according to the second aspect.

[0022] Optionally, the decentralized water supply station has at least one interface coupled to the electronic control device, in particular a radio interface and / or a building bus interface. The electronic control device is configured to provide the recorded operating data to an external evaluation component via this interface and / or to receive the proposal via this interface. Such an interface enables the integration of the decentralized water supply station with a higher-level evaluation component of an energy consumption monitoring system, for example, one provided as a web service.

[0023] Optionally, the decentralized water supply station also includes an electric instantaneous water heater, which is hydraulically connected either between a supply connection for the flow and a primary inlet of the water-to-water heat exchanger, or between a secondary outlet of the water-to-water heat exchanger and the first outlet connection. The electronic control device is further configured to monitor the electrical energy consumed by the electric instantaneous water heater. Decentralized water supply stations optimized for use in building installations with particularly low flow temperatures sometimes include additional heat sources for reheating preheated domestic hot water.By also recording and taking into account the energy consumption of such additional components through the electronic control device, the total primary energy consumption of the user installation can be monitored and optimized.

[0024] Further advantageous embodiments of the disclosed energy consumption monitoring system, the disclosed decentralized supply station, and the disclosed methods for optimizing the energy consumption of a user installation are specified in the attached claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments.

[0025] Although the described decentralized water supply station is intended in particular for use in building installations for multiple units, it can of course also be used in buildings with only a single unit.

[0026] The invention is described in detail below with reference to different embodiments. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components in the embodiments. However, this does not mean that the corresponding components of different embodiments are identical in every respect. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first decentralized water supply station. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an energy consumption monitoring system. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a second decentralized water supply station. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for optimizing a pump control system.

[0027] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first decentralized water supply station 1. Water supply station 1 according to... Figure 1The system comprises a water-to-water heat exchanger 2, for example in the form of a plate heat exchanger with a primary side 2a and a hydraulically decoupled secondary side 2b. If hot water flows through the primary side 2a of the water-to-water heat exchanger 2, the thermal energy of the water on the primary side 2a can be used to heat water flowing on the secondary side 2b. In this way, an energy flow from the primary side 2a to the secondary side 2b of the water-to-water heat exchanger 2 is possible without direct contact between the respective water flows.

[0028] The water-to-water heat exchanger 2 hydraulically divides the water supply station 1 into a heating section and a domestic hot water section. Corresponding connections to the water supply station 1 are assigned to each of these sections.

[0029] Specifically, the heating section includes two supply connections for connecting water supply station 1 to a primary flow (pVL) and a primary return (pRL) of a building's plumbing system. Furthermore, heating section 3 optionally includes additional connections for connecting water supply station 1 to a secondary flow (sVL) and a secondary return (sRL) of a user's plumbing system. This allows the hot water supplied by the primary flow (pVL) to also be used for an internal heating circuit within the user's plumbing system.

[0030] The potable water section comprises a potable water inlet (TWZ), an optional cold water inlet (TKW), and a hot water inlet (TWW). The potable water inlet (TWZ) connects the water supply station to a fresh water line, typically a potable water supply line of a building's plumbing system. The cold water inlet (TKW) and the hot water inlet (TWW) supply cold water and hot water (heated by the water-to-water heat exchanger 2) to at least one tap within the user's plumbing system.

[0031] In the Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, all components of the water supply station 1 are arranged on a common mounting or support plate 6. This allows all components to be installed together by one installer, for example in an existing shaft or at a transfer point located outside an apartment, such as in a stairwell.

[0032] Water supply station 1 according to Figure 1 further comprises an electronic control device 19, dedicated in the exemplary embodiment, an interface 21 for coupling the control device 19 with a data network 150, a circulation pump 25 arranged in the heating section, various temperature sensors 27 and flow sensors 28, as well as a circulation pump 29 arranged in the domestic hot water supply.

[0033] The control device 19 monitors all essential water and energy flows within the water supply station 1, and thus also the thermal energy absorbed by a building installation and delivered to a user installation or parts thereof. For example, the water temperature at the domestic hot water outlet TWW is monitored by means of a first temperature sensor 27a. Further temperature sensors 27b to 27f can also be used to record the water temperatures at the primary supply pVL and return pRL, the secondary supply sVL and return sRL, as well as the domestic hot water inlet TKW and the domestic cold water outlet TKW.Furthermore, the central control device 19 detects a flow rate V TWW of the domestic hot water TWW supplied by the water supply station 1 via a first flow sensor 28a and a flow rate V pe of the hot water flowing through the building installation via a second flow sensor 28b. Optionally, the central control device 19 detects a flow rate V TWW of the domestic hot water TWW supplied by the water supply station 1 via a second flow sensor 28b. Figure 1The third flow sensor (not shown) measures the flow rate VTKW of the used drinking water TKW supplied by water supply station 1. By measuring the flow rate Vpe and the associated temperatures at the connections pVL and pRL, the total amount of heat extracted from the building installation by water supply station 1 can be calculated, for example. The control device 19 can also monitor further operating data, such as the runtime of the built-in circulation pump 29 and / or the circulating pump 25, as well as, if applicable, other external components connected to water supply station 1, such as an external circulation, circulating, or heat pump, which are located within the user's installation.If it is an intelligent pump with a built-in control device or sensors, additional data such as pressure or flow rate in the area of ​​the pump can also be sent back to the control device 19.

[0034] The electronic control device 19 can also directly control individual or selected components or at least indirectly, for example, by involving another control device, such as a central control unit for the water supply station 1 or a dedicated control unit for individual components like the circulation pump 29 or the circulating pump 25. In the exemplary embodiment, the control device 19 can, in particular, determine and change the operating times and / or speeds of the circulation pump 29 and / or the circulating pump 25. The circulating pump 25, in particular, controls the flow rate of heating water in one or more secondary heating circuits of a user installation. The circulation pump 29, among other things, influences the speed at which domestic hot water at a desired setpoint temperature can be supplied to a tap.

[0035] Figure 2schematically shows an energy consumption monitoring system 100 for a decentralized water supply station, such as the decentralized water supply station 1 according to Figure 1 The energy consumption monitoring system 100 comprises a data acquisition component 110, a configuration component 120, an evaluation component 130 and an optional user interface component 140.

[0036] The data acquisition component 110 and the evaluation component 130 are connected to each other via a data network 150. For example, the data network 150 can be a wired bus system of a building management bus, a local area network (LAN), a mobile network, or a combination of several networks, such as the Internet.

[0037] The evaluation component 130 is also connected to the configuration component 120 via the data network 150. In the Figure 2In the scenario described, this connection is preferably established indirectly via the intermediary user interface component 140. Alternatively, however, a direct connection between the evaluation component 130 and the configuration component 120 is also possible. In this case, the user interface 140 can either be omitted entirely or it can form part of one of the other components 110 to 130.

[0038] The data acquisition component 110 and the configuration component 120 form part of a water supply station 1 and are structurally integrated into it. In particular, they each form part of an electronic control device 19 of the water supply station 1, as shown by the Figure 1 and 3 described.

[0039] As in the Figure 2As indicated, the water supply station 1 represents a link between a building installation 33 with a heat source 32 and a user installation 34 with one or more draw-off points 41 and heating circuits 42. The water supply station 1 itself forms part of the user installation 34. Within the water supply station 1, thermal energy from the heat source 32, for example, a central heating system, a heat pump, or a district heating source, is used to heat domestic hot water, especially potable water, on demand via a water-to-water heat exchanger 2. Furthermore, the thermal energy can be distributed to one or more heating circuits 42.

[0040] The remaining components 130 and 140 can also form part of water supply station 1. Typically, however, they are, as in the Figure 2As indicated, it is independent of the water supply station 1 and connected via one or more data networks. In the described embodiment, the evaluation component 130 is, for example, a so-called web or cloud service that is executed by a server computer, for example in a data center. In contrast, the user interface component 140 is a so-called app, i.e., a software component that is executed, for example, on a user's mobile phone or on another smart device, in particular a smart device of a home automation solution.

[0041] Components 110 to 140 of the energy consumption monitoring system 100 work together to monitor the operation of water supply station 1 and to optimize its energy consumption. For this purpose, data acquisition component 110 continuously or periodically records temperature, flow rate, and other operating data from individual connections or components of water supply station 1. The recorded sensor and other operating data are logged and made available to evaluation component 130.

[0042] Evaluation component 130 evaluates the recorded operating data, in particular the temperatures or temperature differences and quantities of hot water and heating energy supplied by water supply station 1. Furthermore, evaluation component 130 records, for example, the operating time of internal or external circulation pumps assigned to the user installation 34 supplied by water supply station 1. Based on the recorded data and settings, evaluation component 130 develops at least one recommendation in the form of a proposal 160 on how the energy consumption, in particular the thermal energy consumption, of water supply station 1 can be reduced.For this purpose, an intelligent, automatic, and especially self-learning algorithm can be used, which determines optimized settings for water supply station 1 from a multitude of previous operating states, consumption data, and energy consumption settings. In particular, the algorithm continuously receives and monitors all recorded user data, thereby becoming more intelligent and learning to recognize and more easily evaluate behavioral patterns and issue corresponding recommendations. The algorithm can also learn, based on user feedback, for example via user interface 140, which recommendations are most / least accepted and thus provide improved recommendations.

[0043] Proposal 160 can either be forwarded directly to configuration component 120 of water supply station 1 for implementation or first displayed to the user for approval via user interface 140. In the first case, adjusted parameters can optionally be displayed to the user, for example via user interface 140 or corresponding status indicators of water supply station 1 itself. In the second case, the user may be informed about the potential savings offered by proposal 160. For example, the user can be informed how to save thermal energy by temporarily switching off or lowering the temperature of individual or all heating circuits 42 of the user installation 34.Based on this and potentially other information, such as previous and modified configuration data of water supply station 1 or other components of user installation 34, as well as previous consumption data, the user can decide whether to accept proposal 160 from evaluation component 130. If the user rejects proposal 160, no changes will be made to the configuration of water supply station 1 or other components of user installation 34.

[0044] However, if proposal 160 is accepted by the user or sent directly from evaluation component 130 to configuration component 120 for implementation, it will be implemented by the latter. In particular, configuration component 120 can adjust the pump speed or pump operating cycle of a circulation pump in water supply station 1 according to proposal 160 from evaluation component 130. Similarly, other operating parameters, such as temperature setpoints, can also be adjusted to a desired operating situation.

[0045] Optionally, user interface 140 can provide additional services. In particular, it is possible to log and display the current and, if applicable, historical settings of water supply station 1 via user interface 140. Likewise, current or stored historical energy consumption data for water supply station 1 can be retrieved via user interface 140. Finally, it is also possible to display all previously accepted or rejected proposals from evaluation component 130.

[0046] The energy consumption monitoring system 100 described above can be implemented either as a completely self-contained solution, for example, by integrating all components 110 to 140 into the water supply station 1, or as a distributed system as previously described. When implemented as a distributed system, the evaluation component 130 can, for example, be provided by an external service provider who offers a corresponding service to various customers. For instance, the service can be offered to purchasers of one or more series of water supply stations 1 to foster customer loyalty. Alternatively or additionally, the service can also be offered on a paid subscription basis.

[0047] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a second decentralized water supply station 1. Specifically, the third water supply station 1 is a fully electronically controlled and regulated water supply station. Accordingly, the electronic control device 19 takes over according to... Figure 1 In addition to data acquisition and configuration, all other control and regulation tasks of water supply station 1 are also included. The following section describes only the differences between the aforementioned water supply stations 1.

[0048] Water supply station 1 according to Figure 3The system additionally includes an electric instantaneous water heater 22, which is connected between a secondary-side outlet of the water-to-water heat exchanger 2 and the domestic hot water connection TWW. Alternatively, the electric instantaneous water heater 22 can also be arranged in a supply line, for example, between the primary flow connection pVL and the primary-side inlet connection of the water-to-water heat exchanger 2. The control device 19 monitors the water temperature at the domestic hot water outlet TWW, for example, by means of the first temperature sensor 27a. If it falls below a predetermined setpoint Tsoll, it activates the electric instantaneous water heater 22 to raise the temperature of the domestic hot water at the domestic hot water connection TWW to the desired setpoint temperature Tsoll. Preferably, the electric instantaneous water heater 22 reports the energy required for this process back to the electrical control device 19.In the described embodiment, an internal circulation pump was omitted. However, it can be provided internally in water supply station 1 or externally in a domestic hot water line if required.

[0049] The heating section 3 of the described water supply station 1 differs from the previously described embodiments in that a secondary heating circuit is designed as a so-called injection circuit 23. For this purpose, heating water is circulated in the secondary heating circuit of the user unit largely independently of the primary supply circuit of the building installation by means of a check valve 24 and a circulation pump 25. The temperature of the circulated domestic hot water is regulated to a desired setpoint temperature Theiz for the secondary heating circuit by means of an electrically controlled three-way valve 26 and a second temperature sensor 27d.Such an approach is particularly suitable for installations where the water supply station 1 is supplied with a relatively high primary flow temperature pVL, and a lower heating temperature Theiz is to be used for the secondary flow sVL within the apartment, especially in the case of underfloor heating systems.

[0050] The three-way valve 26 also serves to control the hot water flow from the primary supply pVL through the primary side 2a of the water-to-water heat exchanger 2. For this purpose, the central control device 19 detects a flow rate V TWW on the secondary side 2b of the water-to-water heat exchanger 2 via a first flow sensor 28a. The three-way valve 26 is opened accordingly, depending on the required heat energy in the secondary domestic hot water flow. If necessary, the hot water flow from the primary supply to the injection circuit 23 can be temporarily interrupted completely or partially to ensure sufficient heat energy is transferred to the domestic hot water section 4.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment, the water supply station 1, as described above, comprises further temperature sensors 27c to 27f and a further flow sensor 28b, which can be used by the control device 19 to monitor, control, and / or optimize various functions. For example, the control device 19 of the electronic water supply station 1 can acquire consumption data from the user installation 34 and use it, as described above, to optimize the user installation 34. In particular, the total amount of heat extracted from the building installation by the water supply station 1 can be calculated by measuring the flow rate and temperature difference between the primary supply pVL and the primary return pRL and made available, for example, via interface 21.

[0052] All components of the decentralized water supply station 1 according to Figure 3are arranged in a semi-open housing 13, which is formed by a support plate (not shown) and a hood. The hood is open at the bottom so that the connections TWZ, TKW, TWW, pVL, pRL, sVL and sRL can be connected to corresponding pipes of the building installation or the user installation.

[0053] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows the steps of a procedure for optimizing the operating parameters of a water supply station 1, in particular for optimizing the operation of an internal pump, especially a circulating pump 25 and / or a circulation pump 29. The steps are shown on the right side of the figure. Figure 4 on the user's side, in particular by components 110, 120 and 140, while the steps on the left side are executed by a central service, in particular a web service, which takes over the function of the evaluation component 130.

[0054] In step S210, the data acquisition component 110 records operational data from a water supply station 1. This includes, for example, the various parameters in the Figure 2 and 3 The temperature sensor data from the connections of water supply station 1, as shown, are queried and logged at regular intervals, for example, once per second or minute. Similarly, flow rates, in particular the volume flow of dispensed domestic hot water and the volume flow from the primary supply (pVL) or to the primary return (pRL), are logged. Additionally, the speed, runtime, and on / off times of an internal pump are logged. During logging, the recorded data can be appropriately summarized, for example, by recording only changes in the state of individual components.

[0055] In step S220, the logged sensor and other operating data are transmitted to the evaluation component 130. Depending on the connection topology, data transmission can occur in real time immediately upon acquisition of the respective operating data. Alternatively, it is also possible to summarize the operating data for a specific time period, such as an hour, a day, or a week, and then transmit it all at once to the evaluation component 130.

[0056] In step S230, the collected operating data is analyzed. For example, all operating data recorded in a log for a specific water supply station 1 can be considered. Alternatively, it is also possible to consider only the data newly recorded since the last data transmission or the data since the last reconfiguration of water supply station 1. The analysis can, for example, include an evaluation of how frequently and for how long an internal pump runs. Furthermore, the analysis can include an evaluation of when domestic hot water or heating hot water was supplied by the user installation 34 to a tap 41 or a secondary heating circuit 42.

[0057] In the described embodiment, the analysis includes, in particular, the evaluation of whether a user is currently present in the user unit. For this purpose, in step S240, it is first determined whether a time t0, at which hot or cold drinking water was last drawn from a tap 41 of the user installation 34, lies more than a predefined time x, for example, 60 minutes, in the past. If this is the case, that is, if the difference between the last draw-off time t0 and the current time t is greater than the predefined threshold x, the evaluation component 130 assumes that no user is present in the user unit.

[0058] If this is the case, in a subsequent step S250 checks whether a time t1, at which, for example, the circulation pump 25 of the water supply station 1 has supplied heating water to a heating circuit 42 of the user installation 34, is later than time t0. In this case, the evaluation component 130 assumes that a heating circuit 42 within the user unit is active, even though no user is present in the user unit. A similar monitoring and optimization can alternatively or additionally be carried out for the operation of the circulation pump 29 in order to interrupt the circulation during periods of extended non-use.

[0059] If both prerequisites are met, a recommendation for reducing energy consumption is made in a subsequent step (S260). Specifically, in the aforementioned case, a suggestion (160) is made to switch off the internal pump or reduce its speed. Otherwise, that is, if at least one of the conditions of steps S240 and S250 is not met, the procedure ends, or the available data is further analyzed, for example, to develop other improvement suggestions.

[0060] Proposal 160 is transmitted to a user interface component 140, specifically an app running on the user's mobile phone, and displayed there in step S270. The user then has the opportunity to either accept or reject proposal 160. Alternatively, the proposal can be implemented automatically, so the user does not need to explicitly agree to it. The adjusted parameters can be actively communicated to the user via interface component 140 and / or queried via interface component 140 as needed. Particularly when running user interface 140 on a mobile phone, the user can be informed about adjusted parameters and / or improvement suggestions at any time and accept them. In the described scenario, for example, the user can be notified that a heating circuit 42 within their user installation 34 is still switched on while they are away from home.

[0061] If proposal 160 is accepted in step S280, the proposal or commands for a corresponding configuration change are transferred either from the evaluation component 130 or the user interface 140 to the configuration component 120 of the water supply station 1.

[0062] The configuration component 120 then adjusts the configuration of the water supply station 1 or other components of the user installation 34 accordingly in step S290. For example, the control of the internal pump is changed according to proposal 160 to switch off the internal pump or reduce its speed. Reference symbol list

[0063] 1 Decentralized water supply station 2 Water-to-water heat exchanger 2a Primary side 2b Secondary side 6 Support plate 13 Housing 14a, 14b Connection area 19 (Electronic) control device 21 Interface 22 Electric instantaneous water heater 23 Injection circuit 24 Check valve 25 Circulating pump 26 Three-way valve 27a - 27f Temperature sensor 28a, 28b Flow sensor 29 Circulation pump 32 Heat source 33 Building installation 34 User installation 41 Tap 42 Heating circuit 100 Energy consumption monitoring system 110 Data acquisition component 120 Configuration component 130 Evaluation component 140 User interface component 150 Data network 160 Proposal 200 Procedure S210 - S290 Procedure steps pVL primary flow pRL primary return sVL secondary flow sRL secondary return TWZ domestic water inlet TKW cold water connection TWWT hot water connection NW1, NW2 service water connection

Claims

1. Energy consumption monitoring system (100) for a user unit, comprising: - a data acquisition component (110) configured to regularly acquire operating data of a decentralized water supply station (1), wherein the operating data includes sensor data relating to the consumption of heating energy and domestic hot water, in particular potable hot water, for the user unit; - an evaluation component (130) configured to generate a recommendation for action based on acquired operating data, wherein the recommendation for action includes at least one proposal (160) for reducing the consumption of heating energy and / or domestic hot water in the user unit;and - a configuration component (120) which is configured to configure at least one component of a user installation (34) of the user unit according to the at least one proposal (160), wherein the data acquisition component (110) and the configuration component (120) are integrated into the decentralized water supply station (1).

2. Energy consumption monitoring system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface component (140) configured to display the at least one proposal (160) to a user of the user unit, wherein the configuration component (120) is configured to configure the at least one component of the user installation (34) only according to the at least one proposal (160) if the user accepts the at least one proposal (160) via the user interface component (140).

3. Energy consumption monitoring system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the user interface component (140) is designed as an app that is executed on a user's device, in particular a smartphone.

4. Energy consumption monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein - the evaluation component (130) is designed as a web service which is coupled to the decentralized water supply station (1) via at least one data network (150); or - the evaluation component (130) is integrated into a control device (19) of the decentralized water supply station (1).

5. Energy consumption monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein - the data acquisition component (110) and / or the configuration component (120) is integrated into a central electronic control device (19) of the decentralized water supply station (1), wherein the central electronic control device (19) is further configured to control the demand-oriented provision of domestic hot water; or - the data acquisition component (110) and / or the configuration component (120) are provided by a first control device (19) of the decentralized water supply station (1), wherein the first control device (19) is independent of a second control device of the decentralized water supply station (1) for controlling a demand-oriented provision of domestic hot water.

6. Optimization method (200) for a user installation (34) of a user unit, wherein the user installation (34) is coupled to a building installation (33) via a decentralized water supply station (1) and is supplied with thermal energy by the building installation (33), comprising the following steps: - regular acquisition (S210) of operating data of the decentralized water supply station (1) by a data acquisition component (110) of the decentralized water supply station (1), wherein the operating data includes sensor data regarding the consumption of heating energy and domestic hot water, in particular potable hot water, for the user unit; - generation (S260) of a recommendation for action by an evaluation component (130) based on the acquired operating data, wherein the recommendation for action includes at least one proposal (160) for reducing the consumption of heating energy and / or domestic hot water in the user unit;and - Configure (S290) at least one component of the user installation (34) by a configuration component (120) of the decentralized water supply station (1) according to at least one proposal (160).; 7. System or method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data acquisition component (110) acquires at least a subset of the following operating data: - a primary flow temperature of heating water supplied to the decentralized water supply station (1) by a building installation (33); - a primary return temperature of heating water flowing back from the decentralized water supply station (1) to the building installation (33); - a secondary flow temperature of heating water supplied to a heating circuit (42) of the user installation (34) by the decentralized water supply station (1); - a secondary return temperature of heating water flowing back from the heating circuit (42) to the decentralized water supply station (1); - an inlet temperature of fresh water, in particular potable cold water, supplied to the decentralized water supply station (1) by a building installation (33);- the temperature of preheated fresh water, which has been preheated by a water-to-water heat exchanger (2) of the decentralized water supply station (1); - the domestic hot water temperature of the domestic hot water supplied by the decentralized water supply station (1) to the user installation (34); - the flow rate and / or water pressure of primary heating water supplied to and / or returned to the decentralized water supply station (1) by a building installation (33); - the flow rate and / or water pressure of secondary heating water supplied by and / or returned by the decentralized water supply station (1) to a heating circuit (42) of the user installation (34); - the flow rate and / or water pressure of the fresh water, in particular potable cold water, supplied by the decentralized water supply station (1);- a flow rate and / or a water pressure of the domestic hot water supplied by the decentralized water supply station (1); and / or - a switching state and / or a speed of an internal pump, in particular a circulation pump (29) or a circulating pump (25), of the decentralized water supply station (1).; 8. System or method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the configuration component (120) configures at least one of the following parameters of components of the user installation (34): - a speed and / or a start-up cycle of an internal pump, in particular a circulation pump (29) or a circulating pump (25), of the decentralized water supply station (1); - a speed and / or a start-up cycle of an external pump, in particular a circulation pump (29) or a circulating pump, of the user installation (34); - a flow temperature and / or a start-up cycle of a heating circuit (42) of the user installation (34); and / or - a setpoint temperature of the domestic hot water.

9. System or method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the evaluation component (130) detects a temporary absence of the user based on the operating data and, in the event of detected absence, suggests the temporary switching off of at least one internal pump, in particular a circulation pump (29) and / or a circulating pump (25), and / or the lowering of a water temperature.

10. System or method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the evaluation component (130) generates a recommendation for setting at least one changed speed and / or one changed start-up cycle for the at least one pump based on an analysis of historical operating data regarding speeds, start-up cycles, flow rates and / or a pump pressure of at least one pump, in particular a circulation pump (29) and / or a circulating pump (25).

11. Decentralized water supply station (1) for a single user unit, in particular for use in a system or method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: - primary supply connections for connecting the decentralized water supply station (1) to a primary supply and a primary return of a building installation (33); - an inlet connection, in particular a potable water inlet (DWZ), for connecting the decentralized water supply station (1) to a fresh water supply line; - a first outlet connection for providing domestic hot water, in particular potable hot water (DHW), for at least one draw-off point (41) of the user unit; - secondary heating connections for providing heating water for at least one heating circuit (42) of the user installation (34);- a water-to-water heat exchanger (2) for heating fresh water supplied via the inlet connection using thermal energy supplied via the primary flow; - a plurality of sensors, in particular temperature sensors (27a-27f) and / or flow sensors (28a-28b); and - an electronic control device (19) configured to: - regularly record operating data of the water supply station (1), wherein the operating data includes sensor data from the plurality of sensors relating to the consumption of heating energy and domestic hot water, in particular potable hot water, for the user unit; - provide the recorded operating data to an evaluation component (130); and - configure at least one component of the user installation (34) based on at least one proposal (160) of the evaluation component (130).

12. Decentralized water supply station (1) according to claim 11, wherein the electronic control device (19) is further configured to control a demand-oriented provision of domestic hot water, in particular by regulating a flow of heating water from the primary supply connections through the water-to-water heat exchanger (2).

13. Decentralized water supply station (1) according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising at least one interface (21) coupled to the electronic control device (19), in particular a radio interface and / or a building bus interface, wherein the electronic control device (19) is configured to provide the recorded operating data to an external evaluation component (130) via the at least one interface (21) and / or to receive the proposal (160) via the at least one interface (21).

14. Decentralized water supply station (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising an electric instantaneous water heater (22), wherein the electric instantaneous water heater (22) is hydraulically connected either between the supply connection for the flow (pVL) and a primary inlet of the water-to-water heat exchanger (2) or between a secondary outlet of the water-to-water heat exchanger (2) and the first outlet connection, and wherein the electronic control device (19) is further configured to detect the electrical energy consumed by the electric instantaneous water heater (22).

15. Decentralized water supply station (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least the following sensors: - a first flow sensor (28b) for detecting a first flow rate of primary heating water which is supplied to and / or returned to the decentralized water supply station (1) by a building installation (33); - a first temperature sensor (27b) for detecting a primary supply temperature of the primary heating water; - a second temperature sensor (27c) for detecting a primary return temperature of the primary heating water; - a second flow sensor (28a) for detecting a flow rate of the domestic hot water supplied by the decentralized water supply station (1); and / or - a third temperature sensor (27a) for detecting a domestic hot water temperature of the supplied domestic hot water.

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