Water Heater Control Using Tariff-Based Temperature Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water and energy management systems in buildings lack effective mechanisms to modulate utility consumption dynamically, leading to inefficiencies and waste, especially during peak and off-peak energy tariffs, and fail to adapt to varying household or commercial needs.
Innovation Solution
A centralized water provision system with a control module that uses machine learning algorithms and sensors to adjust water flow and temperature based on usage patterns, energy tariffs, and user behavior, incorporating a heat pump and phase change materials for efficient energy storage and usage, while providing alerts and reports to optimize consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat pump technology is used to provide heated water, then energy efficiency is improved (coefficient of performance of 3 or 4), but the time required to heat water to desired temperature increases compared to electrical resistance heaters
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating actions by storing thermal energy in insulated tanks during periods when energy is available or cheaper, so that heated water is ready for later use without requiring rapid heating at the moment of demand. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance rather than reacting to immediate needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal energy storage tanks act as intermediaries between the heat pump and the water outlets. The heat pump charges the thermal storage with heated water, and the stored thermal energy is then discharged to meet demand, decoupling the heating process from the usage process and eliminating the need for rapid heating response.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If utilities providers increase unit cost of energy to peak tariff during high demand periods, then energy supply costs are covered, but customer consumption habits do not change unless customers are always aware and make conscious effort to switch
Solution Approach 1:
The control module continuously monitors energy tariffs and provides real-time feedback to the system, automatically adjusting water heating operations in response to tariff changes. This eliminates the need for customer awareness and conscious decision-making, as the system autonomously responds to economic signals by reducing consumption during peak tariff periods and increasing it during off-peak periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by autonomously managing its own energy consumption based on tariff conditions. The control module makes decisions about when to heat water and when to use stored thermal energy without requiring user intervention, allowing the system to optimize its operation according to economic conditions independently.
3Reliability
If conventional water heating systems operate continuously to meet demand, then heated water is always available, but water and energy flow waste occurs to water outlets
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily heats and stores water in insulated tanks before it is needed, rather than heating water continuously or allowing cold water to flow to outlets. This ensures heated water is readily available while eliminating the waste associated with continuous operation and cold water discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous heating operation, the system uses periodic action by charging thermal energy storage during periods of low demand or off-peak tariffs and discharging during periods of high demand, creating a rhythmic pattern of heating and storage that maintains availability while reducing overall consumption and waste.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces water and energy usage by dynamically adjusting flow and temperature, preventing unnecessary heating, and aligning energy expenditure with cost-effective tariffs, thereby conserving resources and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
A heat pump is a device that transfers thermal energy from a source of heat to a thermal reservoir
Implementation Method 2
Thermal energy from the air (e.g, outside air, or air from a hot room in the house) or a ground source (e.g, ground loop or water filled borehole) is extracted by a receiving heat exchanger and transferred to a contained refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
The now higher energy refrigerant is compressed, causing it to raise temperature considerably
Implementation Method 4
heat extracted by the heat pump can be transferred to water in an insulated tank that acts as a thermal energy storage
Implementation Method 5
A centralized water provision system with a control module that uses machine learning algorithms and sensors to adjust water flow and temperature based on usage patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A heater arrangement system for a water provision system for controlling a water supply provided to a water outlet, the water outlet being arranged to provide heated water to a user, the heater arrangement system comprising: a water heating device disposed remotely from the water outlet; and a control unit communicatively coupled to the water heating device, the control unit being configured to: receive a request from a user to enable a reduced temperature water supply mode, which provides for heated water to be supplied to the water outlet at a first temperature for a fixed period of time and then provides for the temperature to be lowered to a second temperature once the fixed time has elapsed; and for a user for which the request has been received, upon detecting that the user has opened the water outlet, providing heated water at the first temperature for a first period of time, then reducing the temperature of the heated water from the first temperature to a second temperature lower than the first temperature after the first period of time has elapsed.