JP2023114717A - Hot water storage type water heater and hot water supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology which is advantageous for the simplification of the application work of a power contract by a user of a hot water storage type water heater.SOLUTION: A hot water storage type water heater can perform a daytime boil operation using waste power or commercial power in a daytime band, and a nighttime boil operation using the commercial power in a nighttime band as a boil operation, and switches a power mode between a daytime power mode at which the daytime boil operation is performed, and a nighttime power mode at which the nighttime boil operation is performed on the basis of input information by a user. Also, the hot water storage type water heater comprises a communication device for performing the communication of information between a company server of a power supply company and itself, and when the power mode is switched, the hot water storage type water heater uses the communication device to transmit change application information being information for changing a power contract corresponding to the switched power mode to the company server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to a storage hot water heater and a hot water supply system.

A hot water storage type water heater is known that stores hot water heated by surplus power supplied from a private power generation facility such as a photovoltaic power generation facility or commercial power supplied from an electric power supplier in a hot water storage tank and supplies the hot water to a hot water supply destination. there is Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology related to a management system for equipment such as a hot water heater that operates based on a time zone lighting contract with an electric power company. In this technology, based on individual advance reports from users, etc. to the electric power company, the electric power company inputs changes to the hourly lighting contract into the management computer. Then, the utilization equipment receives the change data from the management computer of the electric power company, and controls the operation based on the time zone lighting contract after the change.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-284243

A user of a hot water storage type water heater may desire to change to a suitable power contract according to the mode of use of the boiling operation. In Patent Document 1, a user who wishes to change the power contract needs to make an individual prior application to the electric power company each time, and the contract status will be changed until the application is reflected on the device side. Not changed. Another problem is that it takes a lot of time and effort to apply for a change in the power contract by the user.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and aims to provide a technology that is advantageous in simplifying the work of applying for changes in electric power contracts by users of hot water storage type hot water heaters. and

The hot water storage type water heater of the present disclosure includes heating means for generating hot water by heating water with surplus power supplied from a private power generation facility or commercial power supplied from a power supplier, and hot water generated by the heating means. a hot water storage tank that stores the hot water, an input device that receives input information input by a user, a communication device that communicates information with a business server of a power supplier, and a heating means that generates hot water As the heating operation for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank, the daytime heating operation using surplus electric power or commercial electric power in the daytime period and the nighttime boiling operation using commercial electric power in the nighttime period are configured to be executable. and a controller. The control device includes a mode setting unit that switches the power mode between a daytime power mode for daytime heating operation and a nighttime power mode for nighttime heating operation based on input information, and a mode setting unit. and a transmitting unit that, when the power mode is switched, uses the communication device to transmit change application information, which is information for changing to a power contract corresponding to the power mode after switching, to the provider server.

Further, the hot water supply system of the present disclosure includes heating means for generating hot water by heating water with surplus power supplied from a private power generation facility or commercial power supplied from a power supplier, and hot water generated by the heating means. surplus power or commercial power during the daytime hours as a hot water storage tank that stores hot water, an input device that receives input information input by a user, and a heating operation that generates hot water by a heating means and stores it in the hot water storage tank. a hot water storage type water heater comprising a control device configured to be able to perform a daytime heating operation and a nighttime heating operation using commercial power in a night time zone; and a business server of an electric power supplier. , and is configured to enable communication of information between the control device and the provider server. The control device includes a mode setting unit that switches the power mode between a daytime power mode for daytime heating operation and a nighttime power mode for nighttime heating operation based on input information, and a mode setting unit. a transmission unit that transmits change application information, which is information for changing to a power contract corresponding to the power mode after switching, to the provider server when the power mode is switched. The business server includes a change application information reception unit that receives change application information, and a contract change unit that changes the power contract to a power contract corresponding to the power mode after switching based on the received change application information. Prepare.

According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is advantageous in simplifying the work of applying for an electric power contract by a user of a hot water storage type hot water heater.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a hot water supply system according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a front view showing the appearance of a remote control 44; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control device 36 of a hot water storage type hot water heater 35 according to the embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the provider server 62 by the hot water supply system 100 of embodiment. 4 is a flow chart of a routine executed in the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 of the embodiment. 4 is a flow chart of a routine executed in a provider server 62 according to an embodiment;

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate|omitted.

Embodiment.
1. Configuration of Hot Water Supply System FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 100 of the present embodiment includes a hot water storage type hot water heater 35 installed at home and a company server 62 of a power supply company. The hot water storage type water heater 35 and the provider server 62 are configured to be able to communicate information with each other.

The hot water storage type water heater 35 includes a tank unit 33 and a heat pump unit 7 configured to utilize a heat pump cycle. The heat pump unit 7 and the tank unit 33 are connected via the heat pump outgoing pipe 14, the heat pump return pipe 15, and electrical wiring (not shown). Further, the tank unit 33 incorporates a controller 36 that controls the operation of the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 . The control device 36 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 36 includes a storage unit as storage means including ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) that executes arithmetic processing based on a program stored in the storage unit, and An input/output port for inputting/outputting an external signal is provided. Various valves, pumps, and sensors provided in the tank unit 33 and the heat pump unit 7 are connected to the control device 36 via electrical wiring. The control device 36 is communicably connected to the remote control 44 and the communication adapter 46 .

The remote control 44 is connected to the control device 36 so as to be capable of bi-directional data communication. Remote control 44 is an example of a user interface. A user of the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 can remotely operate the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 and perform various settings by operating the remote controller 44 . Wired communication or wireless communication may be used between the control device 36 and the remote controller 44 . The remote control 44 may be installed in the bathroom. The remote control 44 may be installed in the kitchen. The hot water storage type water heater 35 may include a plurality of remote controllers 44 installed at different locations.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the remote control 44. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 , the remote controller 44 includes an input device 441 , a display device 442 and an audio output device 443 . The display device 442 is for displaying information. The display device 442 also functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of information. The display device 442 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display device 442 can display, for example, information about the state of the storage hot water heater 35, information about settings of the storage hot water heater 35, and the like. The input device 441 may include buttons, dials, keys, etc. for accepting input information entered by the user. The display device 442 may be a touch screen that also functions as the input device 441 . The voice output device 443 functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of information by voice. Instead of the remote controller 44 or in addition to the remote controller 44, a communication terminal capable of communicating with the control device 36 or the provider server 62 may be used as a user interface. Such communication terminals are exemplified by other mobile devices typified by smart phones. In other words, the functions of the display device 442, the input device 441, and the audio output device 443 of the remote control 44 may be installed in other mobile devices such as smartphones. According to such a configuration, even when the user is not near the remote controller 44, the functions of the display device 442, the input device 441, and the audio output device 443 can be used, so the user's convenience is improved. increase.

The communication adapter 46 is a communication device having a communication function with external devices. The communication adapter 46 can mutually exchange information with an external server via the Internet communication network 60 . In this embodiment, the communication adapter 46 can exchange information with the operator server 62 of the power supplier.

Also, the communication adapter 46 is connected to the energy management device 48 wirelessly or by wire so as to be able to communicate with each other. The energy management device 48 is a home energy management system (HEMS) controller that manages electric power energy in the home. The energy management device 48 is connected to a photovoltaic power generation facility 47, which is a private power generation facility composed of photovoltaic panels. The photovoltaic power generation facility 47 is not limited to the power generation facility installed in the home, and may be, for example, a large-scale photovoltaic power generation facility managed by another electric power company. In addition, the energy management device 48 can communicate with household electrical appliances (not shown) that are used at home, either wirelessly or by wire. The home appliance may include at least one of, for example, an air conditioner, a washing machine, a lighting fixture, a bathroom dryer, a bathroom ventilation fan, a kitchen ventilation fan, an IH (Induction Heating) cooker, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, and a television. . The energy management device 48 constantly acquires and stores the amount of photovoltaic power generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility 47 and the amount of power used by home appliances. Communication adapter 46 can receive this information stored in energy manager 48 . Information received by communication adapter 46 is transmitted to controller 36 .

Next, each component of the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 will be described. The heat pump unit 7 functions as heating means for heating the water guided from the tank unit 33 . The heat pump unit 7 connects the compressor 1, the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3, the expansion valve 4, and the air heat exchanger 6 in a ring with a refrigerant circulation pipe 5 to form a heat pump cycle. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and water introduced from the tank unit 33 .

The tank unit 33 incorporates the following various parts, piping, and the like. The hot water storage tank 8 stores hot water by forming a temperature stratification in which the upper side has a high temperature and the lower side has a low temperature. A water inlet 8a provided at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 8 is connected to a third water supply pipe 9c of a water supply pipe 9 for supplying low-temperature city water. The water supply pipeline 9 will be described later. At the top of the hot water storage tank 8, a hot water introduction outlet 8d is provided. A hot water supply pipe 21 for supplying hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 to the outside of the hot water storage type hot water heater is connected to the hot water introduction outlet 8d. Hot water heated by the heat pump unit 7 flows into the hot water storage tank 8 from the upper part of the tank, and low temperature water flows into the lower part of the tank through the third water supply pipe 9c. Hot water is stored so that a temperature difference occurs in the lower part. A plurality of temperature sensors are installed at different heights on the surface of the hot water storage tank 8 in order to detect the temperature distribution of hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 . In this embodiment, temperature thermistors 42 and 43 are arranged at different heights in the upper and lower regions of the hot water storage tank 8 . Based on the temperature distribution acquired by these temperature thermistors attached to the hot water storage tank 8, the control device 36 grasps the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 8, that is, the amount of boiling heat stored in the hot water storage tank 8.

Further, the circulation pump 12 and the bath heat exchanger 20 are built in the tank unit 33 . The circulation pump 12 is a pump for circulating hot water in various pipes described later. The bath heat exchanger 20 is a heat exchanger for using high-temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 or the heat pump unit 7 to heat the fluid to be heated on the secondary side. In the present embodiment, as the configuration of the secondary side of the bath heat exchanger 20, the bath going pipe 27 and the bath returning pipe 28 for circulating the hot water in the bathtub 30 will be described as an example. The bath heat exchanger 20 is connected to the bath tub 30 via a bath going piping 27 and a bath returning piping 28, thereby forming a circulation path. A bath circulation pump 29 for circulating bath water and a bath return temperature thermistor 38 for detecting the temperature of the bath water discharged from the bath tub 30 are installed in the middle of the bath return pipe 28.例文帳に追加A bath-going temperature thermistor 37 for detecting the temperature of the bath water after heat exchange from the bath heat exchanger 20 is installed in the middle of the bath-going pipe 27 .

Next, valves and piping provided in the tank unit 33 will be described. The tank unit 33 has a three-way valve 11 and a four-way valve 18 . The three-way valve 11 is flow path switching means having two inlets, a port and b port, through which hot water flows in, and a single outlet, c port, through which hot water flows out. The path of hot water can be switched so that hot water flows in from. The four-way valve 18 has two inlets, b port and c port, through which hot water flows in, and two outlets, a port and d port, through which hot water flows out. The four-way valve 18 is configured to be able to switch the flow path form among four paths, that is, ab path, ac path, bd path, and cd path.

In addition, the tank unit 33 includes a water outlet pipe 10, a hot water supply pipe 13, a first bypass pipe 16, a second bypass pipe 17, and a hot water inlet pipe 20a and a hot water outlet pipe 20b that constitute a heat source side circuit. have.

The water outlet pipe 10 is a flow path that connects the water outlet 8 b of the hot water storage tank 8 and the a port of the three-way valve 11 . The hot water supply pipe 13 is a flow path that connects the d port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water introduction outlet 8 d at the top of the hot water storage tank 8 . The heat pump outgoing pipe 14 described above is a flow path that connects the c port of the three-way valve 11 and the inlet side of the heat pump unit 7, and the heat pump return pipe 15 connects the outlet side of the heat pump unit 7 and the c port of the four-way valve 18. is a flow path that connects A circulation pump 12 is arranged in the middle of the heat pump outgoing pipe 14 . The first bypass pipe 16 is a flow path that connects the a port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water inlet 8c provided between the center portion and the bottom portion of the hot water storage tank 8 in the height direction. The second bypass pipe 17 is a flow path branched from between the circulation pump 12 provided in the heat pump outgoing pipe 14 and the inlet side of the heat pump unit 7 and connected to the b port of the four-way valve 18 . The hot water introduction pipe 20 a is a flow path branched from the middle of the hot water supply pipe 13 and connected to the primary side inlet of the bath heat exchanger 20 . The hot water lead-out pipe 20b is a flow path that connects the primary side outlet of the bath heat exchanger 20 and the b port of the three-way valve 11 .

The tank unit 33 further has a first water supply pipe 9 a , a second water supply pipe 9 b , a hot water supply mixing valve 22 , a bath mixing valve 23 , a first hot water supply pipe 24 and a second hot water supply pipe 25 . One end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to a water source such as tap water, and the other end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to the second water supply pipe 9b and the third water supply pipe 9c through a pressure reducing valve 31. A water supply pipe 9 is configured by the first water supply pipe 9a, the second water supply pipe 9b, and the third water supply pipe 9c. The second water supply pipe 9b is branched from the middle and connected to the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23, respectively. The hot water supply pipe 21 is branched from the middle and connected to a hot water supply mixing valve 22 and a bath mixing valve 23, respectively. A bath solenoid valve 26 for opening and closing the second hot water supply pipe 25 and a bath flow rate sensor 45 for detecting the flow rate of hot water passing through the second hot water supply pipe 25 are provided in the middle of the second hot water supply pipe 25 .

The hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23 adjust the flow rate ratio between the high temperature water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 21 and the low temperature water supplied from the second water supply pipe 9b. As a result, hot water having a set temperature set by the user is generated and flowed into the first hot water supply pipe 24 and the second hot water supply pipe 25, respectively. The hot water whose temperature is adjusted by the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is supplied from the first hot water supply pipe 24 via the hot water supply tap 34 to a faucet 50 such as a shower or a faucet. Further, a hot water supply water flow sensor 51 for detecting the flow of water is arranged in the first hot water supply pipe 24 . On the other hand, the hot water whose temperature is adjusted by the bath mixing valve 23 is supplied from the second hot water supply pipe 25 to the bathtub 30 via the bath electromagnetic valve 26 , the bath going pipe 27 and the bath returning pipe 28 .

2. Boiling Operation Executed in Storage-Type Water Heater 35 The controller 36 of the storage-type water heater 35 shown in FIG. 1 has a function of performing a heating operation. The boiling operation is an operation in which hot water boiled using the heat pump unit 7 is stored in the hot water storage tank 8 . During this boiling operation, the heat pump unit 7 and the circulation pump 12 are operated. The three-way valve 11 is controlled so that port a communicates with port c and port b is closed. The four-way valve 18 is controlled so that the c port communicates with the d port and the a port and the b port are closed. In the boiling operation, the water discharged from the water outlet 8b of the hot water storage tank 8 by the circulation pump 12 passes through the water outlet pipe 10, the three-way valve 11, and the heat pump outgoing pipe 14 to heat the water refrigerant in the heat pump unit 7. It is sent to the exchanger 3. The high-temperature water heated by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 in the heat pump unit 7 passes through the heat pump return pipe 15, the four-way valve 18, and the hot water supply pipe 13, and flows into the hot water storage tank 8 from the hot water introduction outlet 8d. By executing such a boiling operation, high-temperature water is stored in the hot water storage tank 8 from the upper layer, and the high-temperature water layer gradually thickens.

Further, the hot water storage type water heater 35 shown in FIG. Connected to power utility. Grid power equipment is power equipment owned by a contracted power supplier. In the following description, the power consumed by home appliances other than the hot water storage type water heater 35 is referred to as "self-consumed power", and the power obtained by subtracting the self-consumed power from the self-generated power of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 47 is referred to as "surplus power". called.

In some power rate systems of grid power facilities owned by power supply companies, different unit prices are set for each time slot. Hereinafter, the late-night hours when the power rate unit price is relatively low may be referred to as "nighttime", and the hours other than "nighttime" may be referred to as "daytime". The specific time zones of "nighttime" and "daytime" differ depending on the electricity rate system and the like. As an example, the time period from 23:00 to 7:00 may be defined as "night" and the time period from 7:00 to 23:00 may be defined as "daytime." Under the power rate system that includes nighttime hours when the unit price of electricity is low and daytime hours when the unit price of electricity is higher than that of the nighttime hours, it is preferable to perform the heating operation in the range of the nighttime hours. . Hereinafter, the heating operation using commercial power from the grid power equipment during the night time period is referred to as "nighttime heating operation". In the nighttime boiling operation, the boiling operation is performed until the necessary amount of hot water required for the next day is stored.

On the other hand, in the hot water storage type water heater 35 having the photovoltaic power generation facility 47 as a power supply source, the surplus power generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility 47 during the daytime can be expected to be used. Therefore, when there is surplus power generated by the photovoltaic power generation equipment 47 during the daytime hours, the heating operation is performed without using the commercial power from the grid power equipment or with the commercial power during the daytime hours. be able to. Hereinafter, the heating operation using the surplus power from the photovoltaic power generation facility 47 or commercial power during the daytime is referred to as "daytime heating operation". In the daytime heating operation, the surplus electric power of the day is preferentially used, and commercial electric power is also used as necessary, and the boiling operation is performed until the hot water storage tank 8 is full or reaches a predetermined amount of hot water. done.

The control device 36 has a function of switching the power mode between a daytime power mode for daytime heating operation and a nighttime power mode for nighttime heating operation. Since the switching of the power mode executed by the control device 36 is an essential part of the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 of the present disclosure, the details will be described later.

3. Characteristic Operation Executed in Storage-Type Hot-Water Heater 35 Next, a characteristic operation of storage-type hot-water heater 35 of the present embodiment will be described. In recent years, there has been a movement to curb the sale of surplus power, and the unit price at the time of selling power tends to be lower than the unit price at the time of purchasing power. Therefore, it may be economically advantageous to use the self-generated power by the photovoltaic power generation equipment 47 without selling the power. Therefore, when surplus power is generated, instead of the nighttime power mode in which the general nighttime heating operation is performed, the daytime power mode in which the daytime heating operation is performed using the surplus power without performing the nighttime heating operation. It may be economically rational to choose

As described above, power contracts with power suppliers include a night-time priority power contract suitable for nighttime heating operation and a daytime priority power contract suitable for daytime heating operation. In the nighttime priority power contract, the power rate unit price during the nighttime is lower than that in the daytime, while the power rate unit price during the daytime is higher than that of the daytime priority power contract. When the hot water storage type water heater 35 operates by switching to the daytime power mode using surplus power, if the power contract itself is not changed to the daytime preferential power contract in accordance with the switching of the power mode, the availability of daytime power increases. There is a risk that the unit price of electric power will be high. Moreover, even if the power rate unit price of nighttime power when the availability is low is low, the merit cannot be enjoyed.

On the other hand, in the daytime priority power contract, the nighttime power rate unit price is not low, but the daytime power rate unit price is kept lower than the contract for using late-night power. Therefore, when the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 operates by switching to the daytime power mode using surplus power, if the power supplier appropriately changes the power contract in accordance with the switching of the power mode, the user You will be able to enjoy the economic benefits mentioned above.

Therefore, when the user switches the power mode, the control device 36 of the storage-type water heater 35 of the embodiment transmits information for applying for a change of the power contract to the power company server 62 of the power company. It is characterized by the control that This information is hereinafter referred to as "change request information". The change application information includes at least information that can identify the power contract to which the change is applied, identification information of the contractor, and the like. For example, when the power mode is switched to the night power mode, the change application information includes information for specifying the night power mode or information for specifying the night priority power contract, which is the power contract corresponding thereto. . Alternatively, when the power mode is switched to the daytime power mode, the change application information includes information for specifying the daytime power mode or information for specifying the daytime preferential power contract that is the corresponding power contract. . The contractor's identification information includes the contractor's name, address, contact information, and the like. Further, when the power mode switching timing is specified, the change application information includes information on the power mode switching timing.

The provider server 62 that has received the change application information changes the power contract based on the received change application information. As a result, since the power contract is changed in accordance with the switching of the power mode, the user can enjoy economic merits. In addition, since the work of applying for a power contract is simplified, the burden on the user required for the application is reduced.

The control device 36 of the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 of the embodiment has a function for performing the above control. The functions of the control device 36 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the controller 36 of the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 according to the embodiment. The control device 36 controls each part provided in the hot water storage type hot water heater 35 . In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the control device 36 has a mode setting section 361 , a transmission section 362 , a display section 363 , an information reflection section 364 , a reception section 365 and a notification section 366 . The control device 36 may realize various functions by executing software on an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer. Alternatively, the control device 36 may be configured by hardware such as a circuit device that implements various functions.

The mode setting unit 361 is a control block for switching the power mode between the nighttime power mode and the daytime power mode. The input device 441 is configured so that the power mode desired by the user can be input. The mode setting unit 361 switches the power mode according to the power mode as the input information input to the input device 441 by the user.

Further, the input device 441 may be configured to be capable of inputting information on the timing of switching to the power mode in addition to the power mode desired by the user. The switching timing here may be, for example, information on switching start timing such as “from next week” or “from next month”, or information specifying a specific switching start date and time. The mode setting unit 361 switches the power mode in accordance with the switching timing as the input information.

The transmission unit 362 is a functional block for transmitting information to the provider server 62 via the communication adapter 46 . When the mode setting unit 361 switches the power mode, the transmitting unit 362 transmits change application information to the provider server 62 . Alternatively, when the mode setting unit 361 switches the power mode at the switching timing, the transmitting unit 362 transmits change application information including the switching timing to the provider server 62 .

The display unit 363 is a functional block for displaying information on the display device 442 of the remote controller 44 . When the power mode is switched by the mode setting unit 361 , the display unit 363 causes the display device 442 to display the posture change information before the transmission unit 362 transmits the change application information. The change application information displayed here is, for example, identification information. By referring to the change application information displayed on the display device 442, the user can judge whether it is correct or not.

If there is an error in the change application information displayed on the display device 442 , the user can input correction information from the input device 441 . When the user inputs correction information, the information reflection unit 364 corrects the change request information according to the input correction information. The modified change application information is transmitted to the provider server 62 by the transmission unit 362 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of provider server 62 in hot water supply system 100 of the present embodiment. The provider server 62 includes, as its functional blocks, a change application information receiving section 621, a contract changing section 622, and a contract changing information transmitting section 623. The change request information receiving section 621 is a functional block for receiving change request information transmitted from the transmitting section 362 of the control device 36 . The contract change unit 622 is a functional block for changing the power contract according to the change application information. If the change application information includes information on the switching timing of the power mode, the contract change unit 622 changes the power contract in accordance with the switching timing included in the change application information. The contract change information transmission unit 623 is a functional block for transmitting contract change information including information on the changed power contract changed by the contract change unit 622 to the control device 36 .

Returning to FIG. 3 , the receiving unit 365 is a functional block for receiving contract change information from the provider server 62 . The notification unit 366 is a functional block for notifying the user of the contract change information received from the provider server 62 . The notification unit 366 notifies the user of the information by displaying the contract change information on the display device 442, for example. Alternatively, the notification unit 366 notifies the contract change information by voice from the voice output device 443 .

4. Specific Processing of Power Contract Application Processing Executed by Control Device FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a routine executed in hot water storage type water heater 35 of the present embodiment. The control device 36 applies for change of the power contract, for example, according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S100, the control device 36 determines whether or not the mode setting unit 361 has switched the power mode between the daytime power mode and the nighttime power mode. As a result, if the power mode has been switched, the process proceeds to step S102, and if the power mode has not been switched, this routine ends.

In step S<b>102 , the control device 36 causes the display unit 363 to display the change application information including the identification information on the display device 442 of the remote controller 44 . After the process of step S102 is performed, the process proceeds to the next step S104. In step S<b>104 , the control device 36 determines whether correction information for the displayed identification information has been input in the information reflecting section 364 . As a result, when the establishment of the determination is recognized, the process proceeds to step S106, and when the establishment of the determination is not recognized, the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S106, the control device 36 causes the information reflection unit 364 to reflect the correction information on the identification information. After the process of step S106 is executed, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S<b>108 , the transmission unit 362 of the control device 36 transmits the change application information to the provider server 62 . After the process of step S108 is executed, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S<b>110 , the control device 36 causes the display unit 363 to display the change application information transmitted to the provider server 62 on the display device 442 . After the process of step S110 is executed, the process proceeds to step S112.

In step S<b>112 , the control device 36 determines whether or not the contract change information has been received from the provider server 62 in the reception unit 365 . As a result, if the contract change information has not yet been received, the process of step S112 is repeatedly executed until the contract change information is received. On the other hand, when contract change information is received in step S112, the process proceeds to step S114. In step S114, the control device 36 notifies the user of the contract change information in the notifying section 366. FIG. This allows the user to confirm whether the power contract has been properly changed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a routine executed in the provider server 62 of the embodiment. The provider server 62 changes the power contract according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, for example. In step S120, the provider server 62 determines whether or not the change application information reception unit 621 has received the change application information. As a result, when the establishment of the determination is not recognized, the process of this routine is terminated, and when the establishment of the determination is recognized, the process proceeds to step S122.

In step S122, the business operator server 62 changes the power contract in accordance with the received change application information in the contract change unit 622. FIG. After the process of step S122 is executed, the process proceeds to step S124. In step S<b>124 , the provider server 62 transmits the contract change information to the control device 36 in the contract change information transmission unit 623 .

According to the hot water storage type water heater 35 and the hot water supply system 100 as described above, when the user switches the power mode, the user does not need to perform complicated application operations for changing the power contract. This is advantageous in simplifying the work of applying for an electric power contract by the user of the hot water storage type hot water heater.

5. Modifications Hot water supply system 100 and hot water storage type hot water heater 35 of the embodiment may adopt the following modified modes.

The process of correcting the identification information in steps S102, S104 and S106 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is not essential. Further, the process of displaying the change application information on the remote control 44 in step S110 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is not an essential process. Furthermore, the process of informing the user of the contract change information in steps S112 and S114 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is not an essential process.

1 compressor 3 water refrigerant heat exchanger 4 expansion valve 5 refrigerant circulation pipe 6 air heat exchanger 7 heat pump unit 8 hot water storage tank 8a water inlet 8b water outlet 8c hot water inlet 8d Warm water introduction outlet 9 Water supply pipe 9a First water supply pipe 9b Second water supply pipe 9c Third water supply pipe 10 Water outlet pipe 11 Three-way valve 12 Circulation pump 13 Hot water supply pipe 14 Heat pump outgoing pipe , 15 heat pump return pipe, 16 first bypass pipe, 17 second bypass pipe, 18 four-way valve, 20 bath heat exchanger, 20a hot water introduction pipe, 20b hot water outlet pipe, 21 hot water supply pipe, 22 hot water mixing valve, 23 bath mixing valve 24 first hot water supply pipe 25 second hot water supply pipe 26 bath solenoid valve 27 bath going pipe 28 bath return pipe 29 circulation pump 30 bathtub 31 pressure reducing valve 33 tank unit 35 hot water storage water heater 36 control device 361 mode setting unit 362 transmission unit 363 display unit 364 information reflection unit 365 reception unit 366 notification unit 37,38 temperature thermistor 42,43 temperature thermistor 44 remote controller 441 Input device 442 Display device 443 Audio output device 45 Bath flow sensor 46 Communication adapter 47 Photovoltaic power generation equipment 48 Energy management device 50 Faucet 51 Water flow sensor for hot water supply 60 Internet communication network 62 Business operator Server 621 Modification application information reception unit 622 Contract modification unit 623 Contract modification information transmission unit 100 Hot water supply system

Claims (9)

A heating means for generating hot water by heating water with surplus power supplied from a private power generation facility or commercial power supplied from a power supplier;
a hot water storage tank for storing hot water generated by the heating means;
an input device that receives input information entered by a user;
a communication device that communicates information with a business server of the power supply business operator;
As the heating operation for generating hot water by the heating means and storing it in the hot water storage tank, the daytime heating operation using the surplus electric power or the commercial electric power during the daytime period and the commercial electric power during the nighttime period. a nighttime heating operation, and a control device configured to be able to perform
The control device is
a mode setting unit that switches the power mode between a daytime power mode in which the daytime heating operation is performed and a nighttime power mode in which the nighttime heating operation is performed based on the input information;
When the power mode is switched by the mode setting unit, the communication device is used to transmit change application information, which is information for changing to a power contract corresponding to the switched power mode, to the business operator server. a transmitter;
Storage hot water heater. The storage-type water heater according to claim 1, wherein the change application information includes identification information of a user of the storage-type water heater. The hot water storage type water heater further comprises a display device for displaying information,
The control device is
a display unit that causes the display device to display the identification information before transmission of the change application information by the transmission unit when the power mode is switched by the mode setting unit;
When correction information for correcting the identification information displayed on the display unit is input from the input device, the correction information is reflected in the identification information before the transmission unit transmits the change application information. The hot water storage type hot water heater according to claim 2, further comprising an information reflecting unit that causes the hot water storage type hot water heater to operate. The input information includes switching timing information for switching the power mode,
The control device is configured to switch the power mode according to the switching timing,
The storage-type water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the change application information includes the switching timing. The control device uses the communication device to receive, from the operator server, contract change information including information on a power contract after change;
The storage-type water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies the contract change information. A heating means for generating hot water by heating water with surplus power supplied from a private power generation facility or commercial power supplied from a power supplier, and a hot water storage tank for storing the hot water generated by the heating means, use and a daytime boiling operation using the surplus electric power or commercial electric power during daytime hours as a boiling operation for generating hot water by the heating means and storing the hot water in the hot water storage tank. and a nighttime heating operation using the commercial power during nighttime hours;
and a business server of the power supply business operator, wherein the hot water supply system is configured to allow communication of information between the control device and the business server,
The control device is
a mode setting unit that switches the power mode between a daytime power mode in which the daytime heating operation is performed and a nighttime power mode in which the nighttime heating operation is performed based on the input information;
a transmission unit configured to transmit change application information, which is information for changing to a power contract corresponding to the power mode after switching, to the business operator server when the power mode is switched in the mode setting unit. ,
The operator server is
a change application information receiving unit that receives the change application information;
a contract changing unit that changes the power contract to a power contract corresponding to the switched power mode based on the received change application information. the input information includes a switching timing for switching the power mode;
The control device is configured to switch the power mode according to the switching timing,
The change application information includes the switching timing,
The hot water supply system according to claim 6, wherein the contract change unit is configured to change the power contract to a power contract corresponding to the power mode after switching in accordance with the switching timing. The hot water system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the change application information includes identification information of a user of the hot water storage type hot water heater. The operator server further comprises a contract change information transmission unit that transmits contract change information including information on the power contract after change to the control device,
The control device is
a receiving unit that receives the contract modification information from the provider server;
The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the contract change information.

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