retrofitting domestic hot water heaters for solar water heating systems in single-family houses in a cold climate a theoretical analysis太阳能热水系统改造国内热水加热器在独栋房屋在寒冷气候理论分析.pdf

Energies 2012, 5, 4110-4131; doi:10.3390/en5104110 OPEN ACCESS energies ISSN 1996-1073 /journal/energies Article Retrofitting Domestic Hot Water Heaters for Solar Water Heating Systems in Single-Family Houses in a Cold Climate: A Theoretical Analysis Luis R. Bernardo 1,*, Henrik Davidsson 1 and Björn Karlsson 2 1 Energy and Building Design Division, Lund University, Box 118 SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden; E-Mail: Henrik.Davidsson@ebd.lth.se 2 Division of Energy, School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Högskoleplan 2, Gåsmyrevreten, SE-721 23 Västerås, Sweden; E-Mail: Bjorn.Karlsson@mdh.se * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: Ricardo.Bernardo@ebd.lth.se; Tel.: +46-462227606; Fax: +46-462224719. Received: 20 July 2012; in revised form: 15 October 2012 / Accepted: 15 October 2012 / Published: 22 October 2012 Abstract: One of the biggest obstacles to economic profitability of solar water heating systems is the investment cost. Retrofitting existing domestic hot water heaters when a new solar hot water system is installed can reduce both the installation and material costs. In this study, retrofitting existing water heaters for solar water heating systems in Swedish single-family houses was theoretically investigated using the TRNSYS software. Four simulation models using forced circulation flow with different system configurations and control strategies were simulated and analysed in the study. A comparison with a standard