Virtual sensors for estimation of energy consumption and thermal comfort in buildings with underfloor heating

Evaluating a building’s performance usually requires a high number of sensors especially if individual rooms are analyzed. This paper introduces a simple and scalable model-based virtual sensor that allows analysis of a buildings’ heat consumption down to room level using mainly simple temperature sensors. The approach is demonstrated with different sensor models for a case study of a building that contains a hybrid HVAC system and uses fossil and renewable energy-sources. The results show that, even with simple sensor models, reasonable estimations of rooms’ heat consumption are possible and that rooms with high heat consumption are identified. Further, the paper illustrates how virtual sensors for thermal comfort can support the decision making to identify the best ways to optimize building system efficiency while reducing the building monitoring cost.

Graphical abstractVirtual sensors are used to estimate room’s heat flow from simple measurements.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Virtual sensors (VS) are used to compare the energy consumption of rooms based on available measurements. ► A generic approach for VS is presented that uses a relative heat coefficient as a flexible input. ► The meaning and calculation of this coefficient depends on the available information. ► Several coefficients are introduced for different use cases such as room size, valve number or heating system size. ► The approach has been proven at a research building with measurements in 58 rooms.