Heating system comprising an offset complementary heating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating system (10) for a building (12) comprising at least one room (14) whose temperature is to be regulated, the heating system comprising: - a heating water circuit (18), - a central heating device (20) configured to heat and circulate heating water in the heating circuit, - at least one heating emitter (26) disposed in said at least one room and fluidly connected to the heating water circuit to vary the temperature in said at least one room, - at least one supplementary heating device (28) disposed in or near said at least one room and configured to vary the temperature in said at least one room, said at least one supplementary heating device (28) being separate from said at least one heating emitter (26),- a central controller (30) configured to communicate with the central heating device (20) and said at least one supplementary heating device (28) in order to regulate the temperature in said at least one room by means of the central heating device (20) and / or said at least one supplementary heating device (28).

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a building heating system and a method for regulating such a heating system.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a heating system comprising a heating water circuit, a central heating device and at least one emitter fluidly connected to the heating water circuit. Technological background

[0003] To provide heating for a building with rooms to be heated, a heating system is typically installed. This system includes a heating water circuit running throughout the building, a heat generator to heat the water in the heating circuit, and heating emitters connected to the heating water circuit to heat the rooms in which they are located. These heating emitters are, for example, radiators.

[0004] It is also known to integrate an electric heating supplement to the generator or to one or more of the heating emitters to allow the heating system to heat the room or rooms according to the users' needs.

[0005] These supplementary heating systems allow for additional heating power to be supplied during cold weather. They are preferred to systems without supplementary heating, which are more expensive and more complex to integrate into buildings due to their size. Indeed, a heating generator sized to provide the maximum heating power required by the building without supplementary heating can be very expensive and very bulky.

[0006] The power output of these supplementary heating systems is governed by building thermal and energy regulations, as well as the construction rules in force in the countries where they are installed. This sizing is carried out in particular by taking into account the building's energy losses.

[0007] In France, for new buildings, the current energy regulations (RE2020) impose sizing rules. It is possible to limit the power of a heating generator and supplement it with an auxiliary heating system if, and only if, this auxiliary system is used only occasionally during periods of extreme cold. In this case, the energy performance criterion for the auxiliary heating system is the same as that for the heating generator.

[0008] In general, heat losses are calculated by taking into account the geographical location of a building as well as its thermal characteristics.

[0009] These supplementary heating systems are now mostly integrated into heating generators. A major drawback of this integration is that a building to be heated generally comprises several zones. The heating requirement can vary significantly depending on the zone, particularly based on free heat gains (solar radiation, number of occupants, electrical appliances present, etc.) and the occupants' habits (temperature setting and programming method used).

[0010] When the auxiliary heating system is integrated into the heating generator, occupants may experience variations in comfort and energy consumption when the auxiliary heating is activated. The central position of the auxiliary heating system within the generator does not allow for precise regulation of the heating system to meet the specific heating needs of one or more zones.

[0011] In large buildings, supplemental heating systems are often sized to provide significant power. This necessitates a costly electricity subscription for a very limited period of use (a few days per year). This subscription cost is then divided equally among all zones where heating needs vary. However, these zones or rooms may be occupied by people who do not belong to the same family or company. This creates an inequity within the heating system.

[0012] It is also common to integrate supplementary heating elements directly inside the heating emitters of the water heating circuit. A heating emitter is, for example, a radiator connected to the water heating circuit. This supplementary heating element generally consists of an electric heating element, for example, combined with a fan, inside the heating emitter.

[0013] This supplementary heating is generally sized according to the characteristics of the room or area in which it is placed.

[0014] The main drawback of installing supplementary heating at the heating emitters of the water heating circuit is that a dedicated electrical connection must be provided for each emitter. This electrical connection must be capable of handling the total power of the heating emitter. According to current French regulations (NF C 15-100), electrical heating elements must be on specific terminal circuits. These terminal devices must be protected by a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) and an overcurrent protection device. In building renovations, these electrical connections can be complex to implement. In new construction, they result in additional installation costs.

[0015] There is therefore a need for a heating system that allows for reduced electrical consumption, while meeting the specific heating needs of one or more areas of a building to be heated and facilitating the electrical installation of the heating system. Summary of the invention

[0016] To this end, the invention proposes a heating system for a building comprising at least one room whose temperature needs to be regulated, the heating system comprising: a heating water circuit, a central heating system configured to heat and circulate heating water in the heating circuit, at least one heating emitter disposed in said at least one room and fluidly connected to the heating water circuit to vary the temperature in said at least one room, at least one supplementary heating system disposed in or near said at least one room and configured to vary the temperature in said at least one room, said at least one supplementary heating system being separate from said at least one heating emitter, a central controller configured to communicate with the central heating system and the supplementary heating system in order to regulate the temperature in said at least one room by means of the central heating system and / or said at least one supplementary heating system.

[0017] The supplementary heating device(s) provide independent heating from the main heating water circuit and the emitter(s) present in the area. This allows for the placement of the supplementary heating device(s) in a location convenient for their electrical connection. Similarly, a heating emitter can be positioned for easy fluid connection to the main heating water circuit, and a supplementary heating device can be positioned for easy electrical connection. This optimized placement of these components reduces installation costs while ensuring high heating efficiency thanks to the localized positioning of the supplementary heating devices as close as possible to the areas requiring heating.

[0018] A suitable location for connecting the fluid to the heating water circuit is, for example, at a pipe or fitting supplying the heating water circuit, at a manifold supplying this heating water circuit, or even inside a technical closet. A "technical closet" is defined as an enclosed space within the area where components of the heating water circuit or the electrical circuit for that area are located.

[0019] A favorable location for electrical connection is, for example, near an electricity meter in the area or near an electrical connection point in the area.

[0020] The term "separate from at least one heating emitter" means that the supplementary heating device(s) are not attached to or housed within the casing of a heating emitter. In other words, the supplementary heating device(s) have no contact with a heating emitter. Only a fluid connection between a supplementary heating device and a heating emitter is permitted.

[0021] The building to be heated may contain multiple rooms, each requiring temperature control. These rooms may have distinct temperature regulation needs. In other words, the ambient temperature in one or more of these rooms may be independent of that in one or more of the other rooms. For example, this building could be a multi-family residential building with several apartments, an office building, or a building with multiple spaces that have distinct temperature control requirements. Thus, the ambient temperature in one apartment or office may be independent of the temperature in the other apartments or offices within the building.

[0022] A building can also be a group of buildings sharing a common heating system. The term "room" refers to a subset resulting from the building's spatial division, whether physical (through partitions) or symbolic (by subdividing a partitioned space). This division can be vertical, by floor, or horizontal. A room can be open or closed, completely open or only partially open.

[0023] The supplementary heating device(s) are preferably electric. The supplementary heating device(s) include, for example, a heating element or a heating body. The heating element is, for example, a ceramic heating element.

[0024] In one embodiment, the heating system may include a plurality of supplementary heating devices, in particular at least two supplementary heating devices, preferably located in one or more separate rooms of the building. The supplementary heating devices are preferably located in rooms with independent or separate temperature controls. In the example of a residential building, the supplementary heating devices are preferably located in different dwellings.

[0025] In this embodiment comprising a plurality of supplementary heating devices, the central heating system allows for the centralized regulation of the heating water temperature in the heating circuit for all rooms whose temperature is regulated by the heating system. Each supplementary heating device is then configured to adjust the heating system temperature locally in the room to which it is connected.

[0026] An auxiliary heating device can be placed in or near the room to which it is connected. "Connected" means that the auxiliary heating device is configured to receive a temperature command adjusted to the desired temperature in the room to which it is connected.

[0027] Preferably, when an additional heating device is located near the room to which it is associated, this additional heating device is in a room adjacent to the said room to which it is associated.

[0028] The central controller is configured to receive at least one initial signal regarding a temperature regulation requirement in the first room of the building and at least one second signal regarding a temperature regulation requirement in the second room of the building. The controller is configured to independently control at least one supplementary heating device associated with the first room and at least one supplementary heating device associated with the second room, based respectively on the aforementioned initial and second signals. Temperature regulation within the first and second rooms is thus achieved separately, according to the specific temperature regulation requirements of each room.The combination of a central heating system and a plurality of complementary heating devices thus allows centralized preheating and localized temperature regulation for consumption more tailored to the needs of each room.

[0029] When the heating system includes multiple supplementary heating devices located in different rooms, each supplementary heating device can be activated independently of the other supplementary heating device(s). This makes it possible to provide supplementary heating in only one room of the building when a heating requirement is identified.

[0030] The additional heating device(s) are preferably fixed to a wall of the building or to a partition of a room in that building, for example suspended above the floor.

[0031] The additional heating device(s) are placed in the room to be heated or in close proximity to it.

[0032] When the additional heating device(s) are placed in the room to be heated, they can be visible or placed inside a technical cupboard.

[0033] The term "placed near the room to be heated" means that the additional heating device(s) are placed in one or more of the following positions: in a room adjacent to the room to be heated, in a partition between the room to be heated and an adjacent room, or between a false ceiling and a structural ceiling.

[0034] The heating system may include several supplementary heating devices for a single room or for several rooms. These supplementary heating devices may be located in different positions, for example, within a room to be heated or near it.

[0035] The invention aims to adapt the use of auxiliary electric heating to the needs of buildings in order to ensure comfort while minimizing their electricity consumption, operating costs, and integration into the electrical grid. To achieve this, the auxiliary electric heating function is separated from the generator and placed as close as possible to the users, i.e., the rooms to be heated.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the heating system, the central controller is configured to determine a setpoint air temperature in said at least one room and compare this setpoint air temperature to an air temperature in said at least one room to obtain a setpoint attainment value, the central controller being configured to selectively activate the central heating device and / or said at least one supplementary heating device based on this setpoint attainment value.

[0037] It is therefore possible to regulate the temperature in said room by means of the central heating system and / or supplementary heating system depending on the situation encountered.

[0038] The central controller can also be configured to determine an air setpoint temperature in another room and compare this setpoint temperature to the air temperature in that same room to obtain a setpoint attainment value in that other room. The central controller can thus be configured to determine the activation of the central heating system and / or at least one supplementary heating device based on the setpoint attainment value in at least one room and that other room. In other words, the central controller can be configured to determine the activation of the central heating system and / or at least one supplementary heating device based on the setpoint attainment value in multiple rooms.This is particularly useful for determining whether it is appropriate to activate only a local device, i.e., a supplementary heating device, a central device, i.e., the central heating system, or both. Indeed, if the setpoint is reached in one room but not in a second room, the central controller can be configured to activate only the supplementary heating device in that second room. If the setpoint is not reached in either the first or second room, the central controller can be configured to activate only the central heating system. The central controller can also be configured to activate both the central heating system and the supplementary heating device if the setpoint achievable value reaches a predetermined threshold representing a significant difference between the temperature in that room and the setpoint temperature.

[0039] This activation selection between the central heating system and one or more of the supplementary heating systems can be made for each of the rooms in the building in question.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the heating system, said at least one supplementary heating device includes a supplementary controller configured to transmit and / or receive information with the central controller. The supplementary controller may be configured to transmit to the central controller information on the operation of the supplementary heating device or on the room in which it is located. il is installed, for example, a temperature value.

[0041] The supplementary controller can be configured to receive information from the central controller, for example, a setpoint information on the activation of the supplementary heating device.

[0042] The term "information" refers to a signal transmitted via a wired or wireless connection between two components of the heating system.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the heating system, it further comprises at least one temperature sensor disposed in said room and configured to determine the air temperature in said at least one room, the temperature sensor being configured to transmit the air temperature in said at least one room to the central controller.

[0044] The temperature sensor can be integrated directly onto a supplementary heating device or fixed to the wall, and therefore remote from the supplementary heating device.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the heating system, the central controller is configured to determine the air temperature based on an outside air temperature of the building comprising said at least one room.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the heating system, the central heating device is sized to provide a maximum heating temperature, the central controller being configured to activate the supplementary heating device located in said at least one room when the setpoint attainment value indicates that the air temperature in said room does not reach the air setpoint temperature and the maximum heating temperature is reached by the central heating device.

[0047] Thus, the heating system is sized so that the maximum power required to heat the building is achieved using the central heating system and at least one supplementary heating system. "Sized" means that the power of the central and supplementary heating systems is determined to meet this criterion. Therefore, the maximum power of the heating system, Pmax, is equal to the sum of the power of the central heating system, Pc, and the power of at least one supplementary heating system, Pcomp1. If the heating system includes a first and a second supplementary heating system with power ratings Pcomp1 and Pcomp2, the maximum power, Pmax, is Pc + Pcomp1 + Pcomp2.

[0048] Thus, the power value of the central heating device Pc can be lower compared to a heating system not including a supplementary heating device in which the power of the central heating device must be equal to the maximum power of the heating system.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the heating system, the supplementary heating device is fluidly connected to the heating water circuit and includes a heating element configured to heat the heating water present in the heating water circuit.

[0050] The supplementary heating system is thus an integral part of the heating water circuit. The supplementary heating system can be initially included in the heating water circuit or added later.

[0051] The supplementary heating device can be connected to the heating water circuit in series or in parallel, i.e. in bypass.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the heating system, the supplementary heating device is arranged upstream of said at least one heating emitter located in said at least one room.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the heating system, the supplementary heating device includes a heating water receiving tank, said receiving tank comprising a water inlet in fluid communication with a first portion of the heating water circuit pipe and a water outlet in fluid communication with a second pipe of the heating water circuit.

[0054] The supplementary heating system thus forms a remote hydraulic module from the central heating system.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the heating system, the supplementary heating device is a ventilation device comprising a fan to generate an airflow and a heating element disposed in the airflow to supply hot air to said at least one room.

[0056] The additional heating device(s) may be separated from the heating water circuit, for example when they include a ventilation device to supply hot air to said at least room.

[0057] The term "dissociated from the heating water circuit" means that the additional heating device(s) are not fluidly connected to the heating water circuit.

[0058] The invention also proposes a method for regulating a heating system as described above for heating at least one room whose temperature is to be regulated, comprising the following steps: determine a heating requirement in said room, determine an activation requirement of one or more of the central heating device and the supplementary heating device, transmit an activation signal to one or more of the central heating device and the supplementary heating device according to the activation requirement determined to regulate the temperature of said at least one room. Brief description of the figures

[0059] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain the nature of the invention and how it can be implemented. Regarding the accompanying figures: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 represents a building heating system comprising a supplementary heating device; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 represents a first embodiment of the supplementary heating system; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3represents a second embodiment of the supplementary heating system. Description of method(s) of implementation

[0060] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the concept of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all the drawings. However, this concept of the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are offered so as to make this description complete and to communicate the scope of the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0061] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Moreover, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0062] A heating system 10 is proposed for a building 12, as seen in figure 1 The building comprises a plurality of rooms 14 whose temperature is regulated by the heating system 10.

[0063] In a preferred configuration, building 12 includes a technical room 16 whose temperature is not regulated by the heating system 10. The technical room is, for example, a boiler room. Alternatively, the technical room 16 could be a room 14 regulated by the heating system 10.

[0064] The heating system 10 includes a heating water circuit 18 extending into the building 12, in particular into the plurality of rooms 14.

[0065] The heating system 10 includes a central heating unit 20 configured to heat and circulate heating water in the heating circuit 18. The heating water circuit 18 includes a supply pipe 22 and a return pipe 24 connected to the central heating unit 20. The central heating unit 20 is configured to circulate heating water in the heating water circuit 18 from the supply pipe 22 to the return pipe 24 (direction of the arrow on the figure 1 ).

[0066] The heating system 10 also includes at least one heating emitter 26, preferably a plurality of heating emitters. Each heating emitter 26 is located in a room 14 and is fluidly connected to the heating water circuit 18 to vary the temperature in the room 14 in which it is installed. A heating emitter 26 is, for example, a radiator or underfloor heating. The heating system 10 may include heating emitters 26 of different types.

[0067] Preferably, each room 14 whose temperature is regulated by the heating system 10 includes at least one heating emitter 26.

[0068] The heating system 10 further includes at least one supplementary heating device 28. Each supplementary heating device 28 is located in or near a room 14 to be heated.

[0069] Each supplementary heating device 28 is configured to vary the temperature in said room 14.

[0070] Each supplementary heating device 28 is separate from the heating emitters 26. Thus, each supplementary heating device 28 is structurally independent of the heating emitters 26.

[0071] The heating system 10 further includes a central controller 30 configured to communicate with the central heating device 20 and the supplementary heating devices 28 in order to regulate the temperature in the rooms 14. This communication can be carried out by wired means or via a wireless network.

[0072] The central controller 30 is configured to regulate the temperature of rooms 14 by means of the central heating device 20 and / or supplementary heating devices 28.

[0073] With reference to the figure 2, a first embodiment of the supplementary heating device 28 is proposed.

[0074] The auxiliary heating device 28 is fluidly connected to the heating water circuit 18 by means of a water inlet 32 ​​and an outlet 34. The auxiliary heating device 28 comprises a heating water receiving tank 36 and a heating element 38 configured to heat the heating water present in the receiving tank 36. The heating element 38 is located inside the receiving tank 36.

[0075] The supplementary heating device 28 is arranged upstream of said at least one heating emitter 26 arranged in said at least one room 14 so as to increase the temperature of the heating water arriving at the heating emitter 26. A local increase in temperature in the heating water circuit 18 is thus achieved.

[0076] The supplementary heating device 28 preferably includes a housing 40 comprising all the components of the supplementary heating device 28, such as the receiving tank 36 and the heating element 38. The housing 40 is, for example, configured to be fixed to a wall and suspended above the floor.

[0077] The supplementary heating device 28 also includes a supplementary controller 42 in communication with the central controller 30.

[0078] The supplementary heating device 28 may be without a receiving tank 36. In this case, the supplementary heating device 28 is arranged around a pipe of the heating water circuit 18 and the heating element 38 is configured to heat the heating water through said pipe.

[0079] With reference to the figure 3 , a second embodiment of the supplementary heating device 28 is proposed.

[0080] The supplementary heating device 28 is here a ventilation device configured to heat the air in a room 14. The supplementary heating device 28 includes a fan 44 to generate an airflow and a heating element 46 disposed in the airflow to supply hot air to said room 14. A supplementary controller 42 can also be installed in a housing 40 which accommodates all the components of the supplementary heating device 28.

[0081] The 40 case is preferably metallic, for example steel.

Claims

1. Heating system (10) of a building (12) comprising at least one room (14) whose temperature is to be regulated, the heating system comprising: - a heating water circuit (18), - a central heating device (20) configured to heat and circulate heating water in the heating circuit, - at least one heating emitter (26) disposed in said at least one room and fluidly connected to the heating water circuit to vary the temperature in said at least one room, - at least one supplementary heating device (28) disposed in or near said at least one room and configured to vary the temperature in said at least one room, said at least one supplementary heating device (28) being separate from said at least one heating emitter (26),- a central controller (30) configured to communicate with the central heating device (20) and said at least one supplementary heating device (28) in order to regulate the temperature in said at least one room by means of the central heating device (20) and / or said at least one supplementary heating device (28).

2. Heating system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the central controller (30) is configured to determine a setpoint air temperature in said at least one room and compare this setpoint air temperature to an air temperature in said at least one room to obtain a setpoint attainment value, the central controller (30) being configured to selectively activate the central heating device (20) and / or said at least one supplementary heating device (28) as a function of this setpoint attainment value.

3. Heating system (10) according to claim 2, further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in said room and configured to determine the air temperature in said at least one room, the temperature sensor being configured to transmit the air temperature in said at least one room to the central controller.

4. Heating system according to claim 2, wherein the central controller (30) is configured to determine the air temperature as a function of an outside air temperature to the building (12) comprising said at least one room.

5. Heating system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the central heating device (20) is sized to provide a maximum heating temperature, the central controller (30) being configured to activate the supplementary heating device (28) disposed in said at least one room when the setpoint attainment value indicates that the air temperature in said room does not reach the air setpoint temperature and the maximum heating temperature is reached by the central heating device (20).

6. Heating system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supplementary heating device (28) is fluidly connected to the heating water circuit (18) and includes a heating element (38) configured to heat the heating water present in the heating water circuit (18).

7. Heating system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the supplementary heating device (28) is disposed upstream of said at least one heating emitter (26) disposed in said at least one room (14).

8. Heating system (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the supplementary heating device (28) comprises a heating water receiving tank (36), said receiving tank (36) comprising a water inlet (32) in fluid communication with a first portion of the heating water circuit pipe and a water outlet (34) in fluid communication with a second pipe of the heating water circuit.

9. Heating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the supplementary heating device (28) is a ventilation device comprising a fan (44) for generating an airflow and a heating element (46) disposed in the airflow to supply hot air to said at least one room.

10. Method for regulating a heating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for heating at least one room whose temperature is to be regulated, comprising the following steps: - determining a heating requirement in said room, - determining an activation requirement for one or more of the central heating device (20) and the supplementary heating device (28), - transmitting an activation signal to one or more of the central heating device (20) and the supplementary heating device (28) according to the activation requirement determined to regulate the temperature of said at least one room.

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