Which Strategy Saves the Most Energy for Stratified Water Heaters?

Michael J. Ritchie, Jacobus A. A. Engelbrecht and M. J. (Thinus) Booysen
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Michael J. Ritchie: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
Jacobus A. A. Engelbrecht: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
M. J. (Thinus) Booysen: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: The operation of water heating uses a substantial amount of energy and is responsible for 30% of a household’s overall electricity consumption. Determining methods of reducing energy demand is crucial for countries such as South Africa, where energy supply is almost exclusively electrical, 88% of it is generated by coal, and energy deficits cause frequent blackouts. Decreasing the energy consumption of tanked water heaters can be achieved by reducing the standing losses and thermal energy of the hot water used. In this paper, we evaluate various energy-saving strategies that have commonly been used and determine which strategy is best. These strategies include optimising the heating schedule, lowering the set-point temperature, reducing the volume of hot water used, and installing additional thermal insulation. The results show that the best strategy was providing optimal control of the heating element, and savings of 16.3% were achieved. This study also determined that the magnitude of energy savings is heavily dependent on a household’s water usage intensity and seasonality.

Keywords: domestic energy saving; electric water heater; optimal control; water heater temperature control; understanding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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