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Which Strategy Saves the Most Energy for Stratified Water Heaters?

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael J. Ritchie & Jacobus A. A. Engelbrecht & M. J. (Thinus) Booysen, 2021. "Which Strategy Saves the Most Energy for Stratified Water Heaters?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:16:p:4859-:d:611150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haase, Patrick & Thomas, Bernd, 2021. "Test and optimization of a control algorithm for demand-oriented operation of CHP units using hardware-in-the-loop," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    2. Wassim Salameh & Jalal Faraj & Elias Harika & Rabih Murr & Mahmoud Khaled, 2021. "On the Optimization of Electrical Water Heaters: Modelling Simulations and Experimentation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Gerardo J. Osório & Miadreza Shafie-khah & Gonçalo C. R. Carvalho & João P. S. Catalão, 2019. "Analysis Application of Controllable Load Appliances Management in a Smart Home," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-24, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ritchie, M.J. & Engelbrecht, J.A.A. & Booysen, M.J., 2024. "Loadshedding-induced transients due to battery backup systems and electric water heaters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).

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