Study on the Variation in Heating Energy Based on Energy Consumption from the District Heating System, Simulations and Pattern Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the actual heating energy consumption according to the location and size of apartment houses. The study shows the variation in heating energy consumption in accordance with the living pattern of residents in such apartments. By calculating the average annual heating energy consumption and distribution of the measured heating energy of two years, it was found that the outdoor temperature was inversely proportional to the average heating energy consumption. Moreover, the lowest/highest floors and corner houses were the most vulnerable since they had a lot of area exposed to the outside air and, thus, consume a huge amount of heating energy. According to this study, the heating load had relevance to the factors such as wall loss, window loss, ventilation loss, and solar radiation gain that were analyzed in accordance with the growth in house size. Based on the survey outcome on the living pattern and number of residents, a simulation was conducted to analyze the variation in heating energy consumption. Households consumed the average heating energy for 15.8 h/day and occupied for 16.4 h/day. Households consumed more than the average heating energy for 22.2 h/day and occupied for 21.2 h/day, meaning 6.4 extra hours than those consuming the average heating energy. Households consumed less than the average heating energy for 5.2 h/day and occupied for 10.9 h/day, meaning 10.6 less hours/day than those consuming the average heating energy and 17 less hours/day than those consuming more than the average heating energy.