Smart heat management delivers significant savings on heating bills
A research project from the Technical University of Copenhagen demonstrates how intelligent use of the heating systems in multi-apartment buildings can significantly improve the use of remote heating – without compromising comfort or budgets.
Most people are familiar with this scenario: the radiator is turned up fully during winter, yet some residents complain about being cold while others are too hot. Heat distribution is uneven, leading to unnecessarily high operating temperatures, heating bills, and energy waste.
However, according to a new research project from DTU, there is a far smarter way to utilise remote heating that benefits both the environment and finances. The project shows that heating systems, without requiring major investments, can be significantly optimised by leveraging the potential of IoT-based heat meters.
“Many people think that large, expensive renovations are needed to achieve low temperatures, but our study shows that significant improvements can be achieved simply by adjusting how heat is distributed,” explains Michele Tunzi, associate professor at DTU. He led the study, conducted in collaboration with Viborg Varme, BoligViborg, and Brunata, which provided wireless heat meters and IoT-based networks for data collection.
“Our research demonstrates that both the supply and return temperatures can be reduced significantly by optimising heat distribution. This results in major savings on heating bills and environmental impact. And it does not necessarily require investments in insulation or extensive renovations. We simply use the data collected from the building’s wireless consumption meters to manage the heat more intelligently,” Tunzi elaborates.
Learn more about Brunata’s IoT network, LoRaWAN, here
Evenly distributed heat is more efficient
The researchers conducted their experiments in several multi-apartment buildings in Viborg, where Brunata’s IoT-based heat meters were used to analyse how heat could be most effectively distributed within the properties.
The results showed that the supply temperature in the radiators could be reduced below 55 degrees Celsius for the majority of the heating season without affecting residents’ comfort.
By intelligently managing the building’s overall heating system, heat can be distributed more evenly, eliminating large temperature fluctuations from flat to flat.
Tripling the annual heating discount
“We conducted a study in standard apartment complexes in Viborg, Denmark. For an annual heating consumption of 314 MWh distributed across 30 flats, it was estimated that by achieving an average return temperature of 37°C, the tenants could receive an annual discount of approximately DKK 7,000 on their total heating bill,” explains Tunzi.
“But this discount could increase to approximately DKK 24,000 if the average annual return temperature is lowered to 32°C,” Tunzi continues. “This corresponds to a discount of DKK 800 per flat. Conversely, an average return temperature of 45°C would result in a penalty of DKK 14,400 for the tenants,” based on the current bonus and penalty included in Viborg Varme’s heating price structure.
Turning off radiators can be expensive
One surprising conclusion from the study is that the habit of turning off individual radiators during the winter months can prove costly.
“Turning off one radiator in one room forces the other radiators in that flat or in neighbouring flats to compensate for the missing heat to maintain the expected comfort. This results in inefficient and unfair heat distribution among flats,” says Tunzi.
This also means that the return temperature – sent back to the district heating networks – becomes too high, increasing heating costs and environmental impact.
Why turning off the radiator is expensive
Many people do not use all the radiators in their flats, turning them off in certain rooms. However, this forces the radiators in adjacent rooms or flats to work overtime to compensate for the cold from the unheated rooms. This drives up the heating bill – even for your neighbours.
Therefore, it is more economical for everyone to maintain consistent heating in all rooms and flats. In short, you need to turn on all the radiators to control your heating systems optimally and minimise your heating bills.
Green transition with intelligent heat distribution
Intelligent heat distribution not only benefits finances but is also a step towards a more sustainable future. By utilising smart technology and the wireless meters already installed in most properties, heating consumption can be optimised to ensure heat is used more efficiently. Brunata sees significant potential for its customers to leverage its technology to achieve substantial green savings.
“There is a bright future for low-temperature district heating, where both supply and return temperatures can be reduced without compromising comfort. This will deliver considerable financial and environmental savings,” says Jesper Holm Kristoffersen, chief executive officer of Brunata.
The greenest energy is the energy we do not use
“DTU’s research project shows that the future of district heating is not just about renewable energy sources – it is also about using heat smarter. By leveraging technology to improve heat distribution and optimise heating systems, we can significantly reduce energy consumption. And we can do this without making costly investments in new energy improvements,” Jesper Holm Kristoffersen concludes.