Space Heating Control by Estimating Acceptable Set-Point Temperature Based on Survival Analysis

Abstract

This study proposes space heating control that considers both the operating time and change status of set-point temperature. To estimate acceptable set-points from such data, survival analysis is used to model acceptable rates of set-points. The proposed method determines whether a given set-point is acceptable based on the shape parameters of the acceptable rate. According to the determination, the proposed method inputs a new set-point. The proposed method is evaluated using data obtained from an experiment where the proposed method was applied to apartments in a newly constructed building in France. Set-points for the apartments were input according to the proposed method in an experiment performed for 3 weeks from the end of November 2016. This study shows transition of input set-points that were estimated to be acceptable during the experiment. The present paper evaluates the use rates of input set-points by groups according to the estimated acceptability of input set-points. This study also shows rough computations of energy-saving effects by the proposed method. A benefit from considering the operating times of set-points is also presented. The results demonstrate that the proposed method likely uses a set-point suitable to each apartment for energy-saving, with avoiding incorrect estimation of acceptable set-points. INDEX TERMS Acceptable set-point temperature estimation, space heating control, survival analysis, thermal comfort, zero energy building (ZEB).

Energy-Saving Occupant-Feedback Control Method Under Preferred Air-Conditioner Settings of Occupants

“…This method estimates acceptable HVAC set-point temperatures based on operating time and changes of set-point temperatures, and adjusts the set-point temperature to an estimated acceptable value for energy-saving. The effectiveness of this method was previously confirmed in a residential area comprising 36 apartments in France [19], [21]. In the present study, the occupant-feedback control method was evaluated in summer (about two months) and winter (about three months) from 2019 to 2020.…”

“…For this purpose, we evaluate an energy-saving occupantfeedback control method that was actually applied to office rooms in Japan, in which inverter air-conditioners could be adjusted in multiple zones using individual set-points. This energy-saving occupant-feedback control method was previously proposed by the present authors [19], [21]. This method estimates acceptable HVAC set-point temperatures based on operating time and changes of set-point temperatures, and adjusts the set-point temperature to an estimated acceptable value for energy-saving.…”

Field Study on Actual Usage of Occupancy-Reactive Space Heating Control

“…As mentioned before, there are another research item that used the same environment, especially in apartment living rooms [37]. The fourth week of the experiment described in [37] was included in the first period in this experi- ment. However, occupants experienced no interference in that fourth week, so that no aftereffects likely occurred in the first period of this experiment.…”

“…We performed another briefing about the experiment before it started. We also sent a brochure describing the experiment to all apartments, as described in [37]. Therefore, we assumed that occupants understood the HEMS and actively used the control methods during the experiment 1 .…”

“…This subsection describes the experimental environment. The same environment was used in [37] and a similar description of the environment was given in that reference.…”