Optimal schedule and temperature control of stratified water heaters

Water heating is a major component of domestic electrical energy usage, in some countries contributing to 25% the residential sector consumption. Demand response strategies can reduce time-of-use costs and overall We present method usage itself. Our novel schedule control minimises electric water heater's without compromising user convenience. achieve optimal control, while taking into account natural temperature stratification tank, using A* search algorithm. Since previous research assumes one-node thermal model, we also assess effect excluding stratification. match three baseline: standard “always on” thermostat control. The first two respectively hot supplied by heater. third, variation on second, includes preventing growth Legionella bacteria. tested 77 heaters over four weeks, week for each season, all saved energy. median savings were 6.3% temperature-matching, 21.9% energy-matching 16.2% with prevention. Taking increased these 1.2%, 5.4% 5.5% respectively.