Electrical energy consumption analysis for sanitary water heating in student residences

Abstract

Energy consumption for sanitary water heating represents an important component of the overall energy costs associated with student residences. This paper presents the results of an investigation to analyse the water heating energy consumption profiles of 21 student residences representing of the order of 4600 occupants over a period of three years. Half-hourly energy metering profiles for heat pump installations are analysed with the view to derive statistical indicators such as the average daily energy consumption per occupant, the average daily half-hourly consumption per occupant profile and the average consumption per occupant for the Time of Use (TOU) periods associated with the MegaFlex and HomeFlex tariff systems. The development of a custom software application for performing the required data processing operations is discussed. The results show an average daily energy consumption of 1.76 kWh per occupant, which translates into an average daily hot water usage of approximately 101 l per occupant. The peak periods of the average daily energy consumption profiles derived for the heat pump energy consumption profiles coincide with morning and evening peak periods of the Megaflex and Homeflex TOU tariffs.