JP5686073B2 - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric water heater that supplies hot water heated by electricity, and more particularly, to an electric water heater having a saving function and an information display function.

  As a prior art, for example, an operation status display device for an energy device as described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this prior art, as a technique for improving the user's awareness of saving, a technique for displaying the energy saving effect obtained in the past is employed (page 18, FIG. 6). As another prior art, an energy saving support device as described in Patent Document 2 is known. This prior art employs a technique for displaying how much energy saving effect can be expected by reviewing user actions and facilities (page 14, FIG. 2, etc.).

JP 2008-161037 A JP 2001-56804 A

  In the above-described conventional technology, a result obtained by a certain process is displayed to all users including a user who already uses the saving function of the water heater and a user who does not use the saving function. However, for users who already use the saving function, there is no point in displaying the prompt to use the function, and for users who do not use the saving function, the effect obtained by the function is not effective. There is no point in displaying it. As described above, according to the related art, there is a problem that effective display cannot be performed for all users because the users to which the display is applied are limited.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in an electric water heater that can select ON / OFF of the saving function, the effective information regarding the saving function is notified to all users. An object is to provide an electric water heater that can be used.

The electric water heater according to the present invention includes a heating supply unit that heats water and supplies hot water, a saving unit that saves energy for heating and / or the amount of water, and an ON setting that enables the saving unit to operate. The operation selection means for selecting any one of the OFF settings in which the saving means is held in a stopped state, the saving effect calculation means for calculating the saving effect obtained by the operation of the saving means, and the ON setting is selected by the operation selection means. If the saving means is activated, the saving effect that is actually obtained by the operation of the saving means is notified, and if the OFF setting is selected, the saving effect that is expected to be obtained if the saving means is activated a switching換報knowledge means for informing a prediction effect is to configure the saving means, and hot water supply amount limiting means for limiting the hot water supply amount of hot water, hot water flow rate in a state where the hot water supply amount is not restricted by the hot water supply amount limiting means Comprising a reference flow rate acquisition means for obtaining a reference flow rate, and savings calculation means, the execution frequency and the execution time of the flow restriction due to the hot water supply amount limiting means, and a parameter corresponding to the flow rate during flow restriction, to the reference flow rate Based on this, the water saving effect, which is a saving effect, is calculated .

  According to the present invention, the user who is using the saving function can reconfirm the saving effect, and the user can be satisfied. Further, the user who is not using the saving function can appeal the prediction effect when the saving function is used, and can give a saving consciousness to use the function to save. Therefore, effective information regarding the saving function can be notified to all users.

In Embodiment 1 of this invention, it is a whole block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of an electric water heater. In Embodiment 1, it is a timing chart which shows an example of the water-saving function of an electric water heater. In Embodiment 1, it is a flowchart which shows the control which calculates the water-saving effect by the water heater control part. It is a front view which shows the state which displayed the integrated water saving amount as an acquisition effect and a prediction effect by remote control. In this Embodiment 2, it is a characteristic diagram which shows the time change of the temperature of bathtub water about each when the eco warming function is operated and when it is stopped. It is a front view which shows the state which displayed the frequency | count of reduction of heat retention operation | movement as an acquisition effect and a prediction effect by remote control. It is a front view which shows the state which displayed the acquisition effect and prediction effect of the power consumption reduction amount with the remote control.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a system configuration of an electric water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The electric water heater according to the present embodiment includes an electric water heater body 10, a remote controller 100, a heat pump unit 200, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, an external water supply pipe 41, a hot water supply pipe 42, a bath return pipe 44, and a bath pipe 45 are connected to the electric water heater main body 10. The hot water supply pipe 42 is connected to a faucet, a shower or the like arranged in the home, and the bath return pipe 44 and the bath going pipe 45 are connected to a bathtub (not shown) arranged in the home.

  Further, the electric water heater main body 10 is provided with a hot water storage tank 21 for storing hot water heated by the heat pump unit 200. A hot water supply pipe 41 is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 21, and a hot water supply mixing valve 31 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 21 via another pipe or the like. A hot water supply pipe 41 and a hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 32 are connected to the hot water supply mixing valve 31. The hot water supply mixing valve 31 mixes the water supplied from the water supply pipe 41 and the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 21, and supplies the mixed water to the hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 32. A hot water supply pipe 42 is connected to the hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 32 via a flow rate sensor 33. The hot water flowing out from the hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 32 is supplied to the outside through the hot water supply pipe 42.

  On the other hand, to the hot water storage tank 21, a heat exchanger 61 and a bath circulation heat source pump 35 are connected by piping other than the above. The bath circulating heat source pump 35 distributes the high temperature water in the hot water storage tank 21 to the primary side of the heat exchanger 61. A bath circulation pump 34, a water level sensor 36, a bath return pipe 44, a bath return thermistor 51, and the like are connected to the secondary side inlet of the heat exchanger 61. Further, the outlet pipe 45 and the outlet thermistor 52 are connected to the secondary side outlet of the heat exchanger 61.

  Thereby, when the bath circulation pump 34 and the bath circulation heat source pump 35 are operated, heat exchange is performed between the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 21 and the cold bath water stored in the bathtub. As a result, the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 200 can be used to heat the bath water. The bath return thermistor 51 detects the temperature of the bath water flowing out of the bathtub and flowing into the heat exchanger 61, and the bathing thermistor 52 is the hot water flowing out of the heat exchanger 61 and flowing into the bathtub. Detect temperature.

  A heat pump unit 200 is connected to the hot water storage tank 21 via a heating circulation circuit 43. The heat pump unit 200 heats (boils) the low-temperature water led from the hot water storage tank 21 and supplies hot water. The heat pump unit 200, together with the electric water heater main body 10, constitutes the heating supply means of the present embodiment. Yes. The heat pump unit 200 includes a compressor (not shown), a heating heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger with refrigerant circulation piping, and is configured by a heat pump cycle.

  The electric water heater main body 10 is equipped with a water heater controller 71 that controls the operating state of the water heater. The water heater controller 71 is connected to the remote controller 100 via a remote control line 72 and is connected to the heat pump unit 200 via another remote control line 73. Thereby, the water heater controller 71 is configured to execute drive control of the pump and heat pump in the water heater, and to record the temperature read by the thermistor, calculate the effect obtained by the power saving function, and the like. ing.

(Water saving function)
The electric water heater has a water-saving function that performs a water-saving operation by limiting the amount (flow rate) of hot water to be supplied, and an operation selection function that selects whether or not to use the water-saving function. The water-saving function limits (saves) the flow rate of hot water by reducing the opening degree of the hot-water supply flow rate adjustment valve 32 by the hot water supply controller 71 as compared to when the water-saving function is not activated. The operation selection function selects either an ON setting that enables the water-saving function or an OFF setting that maintains the water-saving function in a stopped state, and is realized by the remote controller 100, for example. More specifically, the remote control 100 is provided with a selection switch for switching between the ON setting and the OFF setting of the water saving function, and the user operates the selection switch to determine whether or not to use the water saving function. You can choose. In the present embodiment, the water-saving function is an example of a saving means, and the remote controller 100 is an example of an operation selection means.

  FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing an example of the water-saving function of the electric water heater in the first embodiment. In this figure, the vertical axis indicates the flow rate of hot water and the horizontal axis indicates time. Moreover, the dashed-dotted line in the figure shows the state where the OFF setting of the water saving function is selected, and the solid line shows the state where the ON setting is selected. As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated value of the difference between the solid line and the alternate long and short dash line corresponds to the water saving amount obtained by the water saving function.

  For example, in a state where the reference flow rate (point A in FIG. 2) which is the flow rate of hot water in a state where flow rate is not restricted is 200 mL / second, the water saving timing is set every 2 seconds to save water. When the time is set to 200 milliseconds and the water saving control is executed to reduce the water saving amount to 1/2, the following water saving effect can be obtained. That is, since the calculation formula is (amount of water saved once × number of times of water saving), the amount of water saved for 60 seconds is (1/2 × 200 [mL / second] × 0.2 [second]) × (60 [second]). / 2 [second / time]) = 600 mL. Here, the water-saving timing (flow restriction execution frequency), the water-saving time (flow restriction execution time), and the water-saving amount (parameters corresponding to the flow rate at the time of flow restriction) are set in advance according to product specifications. Accordingly, the water saving amount is calculated based on these set values and the reference flow rate that is set in advance or detected by the flow sensor 33, and the calculated water saving amount is integrated to save the accumulated water saving amount (saving). (Effect) can be calculated accurately.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the control of the water heater controller 71 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control for calculating the water-saving effect by the water heater controller in the first embodiment. The routine shown in this figure is repeatedly executed during operation of the water heater. In the routine shown in FIG. 3, first, in step S1, it is determined whether hot water is being supplied based on the output of the flow sensor 33, and the process waits in step S1 until hot water is supplied. When hot water is supplied, in step S2, the flow rate (L) when the flow rate restriction is not executed is read by the flow rate sensor 33, and this read value is used as the flow rate when the water saving function is set to OFF. Remember.

  Next, in step S3, the water saving amount (E) at a predetermined flow rate scan interval (preset by product specifications) is calculated. In step S4, the water saving amount (E) calculated in step 3 is added to the accumulated water saving amount stored in the water heater controller 71, and the stored value of the accumulated water saving amount is updated with the added value. Next, in step S5, the process waits until a time corresponding to the flow rate scan interval elapses, and then the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, it is determined whether or not hot water supply continues. If it continues, the process returns to step S2. If the hot water supply has been completed, this routine ends.

(Display of water saving effect)
Next, the display function of the water saving effect will be described with reference to FIG. First, FIG. 4A is a front view showing a state in which the accumulated water saving amount is displayed as an acquisition effect by the remote controller. The remote control 100 includes an effect confirmation switch for notifying the user of the water saving effect. When the effect confirmation switch is operated in a state where the water saving function ON setting is selected, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 100. This screen displays the accumulated water saving amount per day actually obtained by the operation of the water saving function as an “acquisition effect”.

  On the other hand, FIG.4 (b) is a front view which shows the state which displayed the integrated water saving amount as a prediction effect by remote control. The remote controller 100 displays, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 4B when the effect confirmation switch is operated in a state where the water saving function OFF setting is selected. This screen displays the accumulated water saving amount per day that is predicted to be obtained if the water saving function is activated, as a “prediction effect”.

  Thus, according to this Embodiment, the user who is using the water-saving function can make the water-saving effect reconfirmed, and can give satisfaction to a user. Moreover, the user who is not using the water saving function can appeal the prediction effect at the time of using a water saving function, and can give the water saving consciousness that he wants to save water using the said function. Therefore, effective information regarding the saving function can be displayed for all users.

  In the first embodiment, the timing chart in FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the saving means in claim 1 and the hot water supply amount limiting means in claim 2. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the saving effect calculating means in claims 1 and 2, and step S2 of these shows a specific example of the reference flow rate acquiring means in claim 2. FIG. 4 shows a specific example of the switching notification means in claim 1.

Embodiment 2
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is characterized in that, in the same configuration as in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), the saving function is realized by reducing the number of times of the bath water heat retaining operation. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the bath circulation pump 34, the bath circulation heat source pump 35, the bath return pipe 44, the bath return pipe 45, and the heat exchanger 61 constitute the bathtub water heating means. In addition, the electric water heater has a heat retaining function for keeping the temperature of the bath water within a certain range by the water heater controller 71. The heat retention function operates the bath circulation pump 34 and the bath circulation heat source pump 35 when the temperature of the bath water drops to a predetermined heat retention start temperature Td for the heat retention operation time Th previously set by the remote controller 100. The bath water is chased to raise the temperature of the bath water to a predetermined heat retention stop temperature Tu. The heat retaining function is used in “normal heat retaining operation” and “eco heat retaining operation” described later.

(Normal heat insulation operation)
FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing temporal changes in the temperature of bath water for each of the case where the heat retaining function is activated and the case where it is stopped in the second embodiment of the present invention. The solid line shown in FIG. 5 shows the temperature change when the bath water is kept warm by a normal heat keeping operation, that is, when there is a regular hot water temperature check. The normal heat insulation operation is to activate the heat insulation function based on the result of periodic hot water temperature check. More specifically, in a normal heat insulation operation, the bath circulation pump 34 is operated at a constant cycle (every time T1 in FIG. 5 elapses) to circulate the bath water to the heat exchanger 61. The temperature of the bathtub water flowing out from the bath is detected by the return thermistor 51 (hot water temperature check). And when the detection temperature of bathtub water falls to the heat retention start temperature Td, a heat retention function is operated.

  Here, during the operation of the circulation pump 34 (during time T2), the low-temperature hot water existing in the pipes 44 and 45 flows into the bathtub, so that the temperature of the bathtub water is determined by the non-operation of the circulation pump 34. Decreases quickly compared to time. That is, the temperature decrease rate V2 of the bath water during the operation of the circulation pump 34 is larger than the temperature decrease rate V1 when the pump is not operated. Further, when the chasing operation is executed, for example, the temperature of the bath water rises to the heat retention stop temperature Tu at the speed V3, and time T3 is required for this temperature rise.

  On the other hand, the dotted line in FIG. 5 shows the temperature change when the temperature of the bathtub water decreases due to natural heat dissipation in a state where the heat retaining function is stopped. That is, this dotted line shows the temperature change when there is no periodic hot water temperature check. In this case, since the low-temperature hot water does not flow into the bathtub from the pipes 44 and 45, the temperature of the bathtub water gradually decreases at the speed V1 due to natural heat dissipation. That is, if the heat retaining function is activated only when the temperature of the bath water is lowered to the heat retaining start temperature Td, the bath water can be warmed more efficiently than in a normal heat retaining operation.

(Eco-warming operation)
For this reason, in the eco warming operation, the temperature of the bath water is estimated by the water heater controller 71, and the warming function is activated only when it is determined that the estimated temperature has decreased to the warming start temperature Td. Reduce the number of times the warming function is activated (the number of tracking operations) compared to the time. More specifically, the water heater control unit 71 has a natural temperature decrease rate estimation function that estimates a rate at which the temperature of the bathtub water decreases due to natural heat dissipation while the heat retention function is stopped as a natural temperature decrease rate V1, and a heat retention function. A time required for the temperature of the bath water to decrease to the heat retention start temperature Td (hereinafter, referred to as a heat retention start request time T4) based on the natural temperature decrease rate V1, It has. In the eco warming operation, the warming function is activated when the warming start request time T4 has elapsed since the warming function stopped.

  Here, to give an example of a method for estimating the natural temperature decrease rate V1, the water heater controller 71 stores data indicating the relationship between the amount of hot water in the bathtub detected by the water level sensor 36 and the natural temperature decrease rate V1. ing. This data may be determined by experiments or the like, or may be learned based on the relationship (past performance) between the hot water heaters used in the past. When the heat retention control function is stopped, the temperature of the bath water is maintained at the heat retention stop temperature Tu. Therefore, the temperature retention start request time T4 is the heat retention start temperature Td from the heat retention stop temperature Tu due to natural heat dissipation. This corresponds to the time that elapses during the fall.

  That is, the heat retention start request time T4 corresponds to the time that elapses while the dotted line in FIG. 5 falls from the heat retention stop temperature Tu to the heat retention start temperature Td. Since the heat retention start request time T4 becomes shorter as the natural temperature decrease rate V1 increases, the relationship between the two is converted into data and stored in the water heater controller 71, so that the heat retention start is based on the natural temperature decrease rate V1. The required time T4 can be calculated accurately and easily.

  According to the eco warming operation described above, the number of times of the warming function can be reduced as compared with a normal warming operation in which the circulation pump 34 is periodically operated to check the hot water temperature. Thereby, it is possible to save electric power (energy) required by chasing and promote energy saving of the water heater.

  On the other hand, the electric water heater has an operation selection function for selecting whether or not to use the eco warming operation. This operation selection function is set to ON when normal warming operation is held in a stopped state and eco warming operation is enabled, and OFF is set so that normal warming operation is enabled and eco warming operation is held in a stopped state. One of the settings is selected, and is realized by the remote controller 100, for example. More specifically, the remote controller 100 is provided with a selection switch for switching between the ON setting and the OFF setting of the eco warming operation. By operating this selection switch, the user operates the normal warming operation and the eco warming operation. It is possible to select which one to use. As described above, the temperature of the bath water changes as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5 when the eco warming operation is set to ON, and when set to OFF (when the normal warming operation is possible), It changes like a solid line. In the present embodiment, remote controller 100 shows an example of an operation selection unit.

  Further, the water heater controller 71 determines the difference between the number of times of operation of the heat retaining function when the ON setting is selected by the remote controller 100 and the number of times of operation of the heat retaining function when the OFF setting is selected (the number of times of reduction of the heat retaining operation). Is provided as a saving effect calculation function. More specifically, the water heater controller 71 stores the amount of hot water in the bathtub detected by the water level sensor 36, the speeds V1, V2, and V3, and the number of times of reheating N that is the number of times of reheating that is actually performed by the heat retaining function. It has a memory function. Since the speeds V1, V2, and V3 change according to the amount of hot water in the bathtub, the water heater controller 71 stores the relationship between the output value of the water level sensor 36 and the speeds V1, V2, and V3 as a data map or the like. Yes.

  When the ON setting of the eco warming operation is selected, the current speed is first determined based on the relationship between the current (latest) output value of the water level sensor 36 and the speeds V1, V2, and V3 stored in the past. V1, V2, and V3 are calculated. And based on this calculation result, the number of times of the heat retaining operation (chase) predicted to be performed in the normal heat retaining operation is estimated, and the heat keeping operation is subtracted from the actual number of times of chasing N from the estimated number. The number of reductions is calculated as an acquisition effect. Thereby, the saving effect obtained by the eco warming operation can be calculated numerically. Further, when the eco warming operation OFF setting is selected, the number of warming operations predicted to be performed during the eco warming operation is estimated based on, for example, past results of the speeds V1 and V3. Then, by subtracting the estimated number of times from the actual number of pursuits N, the number of times of reduction of the warming operation that is expected to be obtained if the eco warming operation is activated is calculated as a prediction effect.

  The calculation method will be described with a more specific example. For example, if the time from the heat retention stop temperature Tu until the heat retention stop temperature Tu is reached again through a temperature drop due to heat radiation or inflow of cold water, additional cooking, etc. is assumed as T5, the predicted additional cooking number N ′ is the heat retention operation time Th ÷ T5. Calculate as the following integer times. The calculation method of T5 is shown below. When the eco warming ON setting is selected, T5 is T4 + T3, and T3 is calculated by (Tu−Td) ÷ V3 from the values of Tu, Td, and V3 stored in the water heater controller 71. .

On the other hand, T5 in the case where the OFF setting of the eco warming operation is selected is calculated according to the following procedure. First, the bath water temperature decreasing during T1 + T2 is set to V1 × T1 + V2 × T2, and the number n of hot water temperature checks performed until the bath water temperature decreases from the heat retention stop temperature Tu to the heat retention start temperature Td is (Tu−Td) ÷. It is calculated as an integer number of times (V1 × T1 + V2 × T2) or more. Next, T5 is calculated as n × (T1 + T2) + T3 based on T1 and T2 determined by the control specification or the past learning value. T3 is calculated based on V3 as described above.

  From the above, when the eco warming operation OFF setting is selected, the difference between the actual supplementary cooking number N and the predicted supplementary cooking number N ′ when the eco warming operation ON setting is selected. Can be calculated. In addition, when the ON setting of the eco warming operation is selected, the difference between the actual number N of additional cooking and the predicted number N ′ of the additional cooking when the OFF setting of the eco warming operation is selected is saved. It can be calculated as an effect.

(Displays the number of reductions in heat retention)
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the display function of the number of times of heat insulation operation will be described. In the present embodiment, either the acquired effect or the predicted effect is displayed based on the operating state of the eco warming operation. First, FIG. 6A is a front view showing a state in which the number of times of heat insulation operation is displayed as an acquisition effect by the remote controller. The remote controller 100 is provided with an effect confirmation switch for notifying the user of the number of times of reduction of the warming operation by the eco warming operation. Then, when the effect confirmation switch is operated in a state where the ON setting of the eco warming operation is selected, for example, the screen shown in FIG. This screen displays the number of times of reduction of the heat insulation operation per day actually obtained by the operation of the eco heat insulation operation as “acquisition effect”.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6B is a front view showing a state in which the number of times of heat insulation operation is displayed as a prediction effect by the remote controller. The remote controller 100 displays, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 6B when the effect confirmation switch is operated in a state where the OFF setting of the eco warming operation is selected. This screen displays, as a “predictive effect”, the number of times of reduction of the warming operation per day that is predicted to be obtained if the eco warming operation is activated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the water heater capable of performing the eco warming operation, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, the user using the eco warming operation can reconfirm the effect of reducing the number of times of the warming operation due to the use, and can be satisfied. In addition, a user who is not using the eco-warming operation can be given a water-saving awareness that he / she wants to use the eco-warming operation by appealing the prediction effect when using it.

  In the second embodiment, the heat retention function shows a specific example of the saving means in claim 1 and a specific example of the bath water temperature adjusting means in claim 3. Further, the normal heat retention operation shows a specific example of the first heat retention operation means in claim 3, and the eco heat retention operation shows a specific example of the second heat retention operation means. Further, the saving effect calculation function realized by the water heater controller 71 is a specific example of the saving effect calculation means in claim 3, and the natural temperature decrease speed estimation function is a specific example of the natural temperature decrease speed estimation means in claim 4. The heat retention restart time calculation function shows a specific example of the heat retention restart time calculation means in claim 4. FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the switching notification means in claim 3.

Embodiment 3
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition to the same configuration and control as in the second embodiment, the present embodiment is characterized in that the saving effect obtained by reducing the number of times of bath water heat retention operation is displayed by power consumption. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the water heater controller 71 includes a power consumption calculation function and a power saving effect calculation function described below in addition to the functions described in the second embodiment. The water heater controller 71 stores in advance the power consumption of each component (for example, the bath circulation pump 34 and the bath circulation heat source pump 35) that consumes power when the heat retention function is activated.

  The power consumption calculation function measures the operation time and the number of operations of the heat retention function based on the output of the water level sensor 36 and the like, and the number of times of hot water temperature check in the normal heat retention operation, and based on these measurement results, the heat retention function An integrated operation time obtained by integrating the operation times of (pumps 34 and 35) is calculated. Then, based on the calculated integrated operation time and the power consumption of the pumps 34, 35, the integrated power consumption, which is the integrated value of the power consumed by the pumps 34, 35, is calculated. The power saving effect calculation function calculates a difference between the integrated power consumption when the ON setting is selected by the selection switch of the remote controller 100 and the integrated power consumption when the OFF setting is selected as a saving effect.

  More specifically, when the ON setting of the eco warming operation is selected, the warming operation time, the warming operation count, and the hot water temperature check operation count at the OFF setting are calculated based on the output of the water level sensor 36 or the like. . Based on these calculated values, the power consumption of the pumps 34 and 35, and the operation time of the hot water temperature check, the predicted integrated power consumption that is the integrated power consumption at the time of OFF setting is calculated. By subtracting the integrated power consumption at the time of the ON setting from this predicted integrated power consumption, the reduction amount of the power consumption actually obtained by the eco warming operation can be calculated as the acquisition effect. On the other hand, when the OFF setting of the eco warming operation is selected, for example, the warming operation time and the hot water temperature check time by the normal warming operation are stored in the water heater controller 71. Then, based on the stored value and the power consumption of the pumps 34 and 35, the water heater controller 71 estimates the integrated power consumption during the eco warming operation, and the estimated value is calculated from the integrated power consumption at the OFF setting. By subtracting, the reduction amount of power consumption predicted to be obtained if the eco warming operation is activated is calculated as a prediction effect.

  The calculation method will be described with a more specific example. In the following description, the power consumption of the pump 34 stored in advance in the water heater controller 71 is denoted as W34, and the power consumption of the pump 35 is denoted as W35. When the ON setting of the eco warming operation is selected, the hot water temperature check by the pump 34 is not performed, so that the integrated power consumption is calculated based on the following equation (1), as in the second embodiment. Is done.

Accumulated power consumption = Number of additional cooking N (or N ') x W35 x T3 (1)

  On the other hand, the accumulated power consumption when the eco warming operator OFF setting is selected is calculated by the following equation (2) when described using the reference numerals described in the second embodiment.

Integrated power consumption = ((W34 × T2) × n + W35 × T3) × N (or N ′)
... (2)

  From the above, when the OFF setting of the eco warming operation is selected, from the value obtained by the above equation (2) using the actual number N of additional cooking, the above-mentioned (1 ) Can be subtracted and the difference between the two can be calculated as the predicted power consumption reduction effect. On the other hand, when the ON setting of the eco warming operation is selected, the above formula (1) using the actual number of times of additional cooking N from the value obtained in the above (2) using the predicted number of additional cooking times N ′. By subtracting the value obtained in step 1, the difference between the two can be calculated as the acquired power consumption reduction effect.

  In addition, when a normal heat retention operation is activated, the temperature of the bathtub water is lowered early by periodic hot water temperature check, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 is used to heat the bathtub water. An extra boiling operation for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 by the heat pump 200 is required. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to add the power consumed by the extra boiling operation to the calculated value of the integrated power consumption.

  Next, the calculation method of the power consumption reduction effect by the eco warming function will be specifically described using the reference numerals described in the second embodiment. First, the heat quantity Q2 of bathtub water lost by one hot water temperature check is calculated as Q2 = specific heat capacity C of water × mass of water G × tub water temperature difference (V2 × T2) decreased by hot water temperature check. In this case, for example, 4.2 kJ / kg · K is used as the specific heat capacity C of water, and the mass G of water is stored in the water heater control unit 71 from the reading value of the water level sensor 36 and past learning. The value calculated from the bathtub volume is used. Next, the hot water amount check reduction count Nc by the eco warming operation is calculated as Nc = n × N (or N ′). On the other hand, the average heating capacity value P (heating amount / power consumption) of the heat pump unit 200 is stored in advance in the water heater controller 71, and the power consumption amount of the heat pump unit that can be reduced by the eco heat insulation operation is expressed by the following (3 ).

Reduced power consumption = Q2 × Nc / P (3)

  On the other hand, the remote controller 100 includes a display selection switch constituting display selection means in addition to the selection switch and the effect confirmation switch described above. The display selection switch includes a saving effect calculated by the saving effect calculation function described in the second embodiment (the number of times of heat insulation operation) and a saving effect calculated by the power saving effect calculation function (difference in accumulated power consumption). The saving effect to be displayed on the remote controller 100 is selected. The remote controller 100 displays the acquired effect when the eco warming operation ON setting is selected for the saving effect selected by the display selection switch, and the predicted effect when the OFF setting is selected. Is displayed. (A specific example is shown in FIG. 7)

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, substantially the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the saving effect obtained by the eco warming operation can be displayed in a unit that can be easily understood according to the preference of each user, and the saving consciousness can be enhanced more effectively.

  In the third embodiment, the power consumption calculation function realized by the water heater controller 71 is a specific example of the power consumption calculation means in claim 5, and the power saving effect calculation function is a specific example of the power saving effect calculation means. An example is shown.

  Further, in the first embodiment, a water saving function for limiting the amount of hot water supply is described as an example as a saving means, and in the second and third embodiments, an eco warming operation for reducing the number of operations of the warming function is given as an example. Explained. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and other functions for reducing energy consumption of the water heater may be used as the saving means. In the first to third embodiments, the saving effect is notified by displaying on the remote controller 100. However, the present invention is not limited to display, and may be configured to notify the saving effect by voice or the like, for example.

10 Electric water heater body (heating supply means)
21 Hot water storage tank 32 Hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve (hot water supply amount limiting means)
33 Flow sensor 34 Bath circulation pump (tub water heating means)
35 bath circulation heat source pump (tub water heating means)
36 Water level sensor 44 Bath return pipe (tub water heating means)
45 Bath piping (tub water heating means)
51 bathing thermistor 52 bathing thermistor 61 heat exchanger (bath water heating means)
71 Water heater controller 100 Remote control (operation selection means)
200 Heat pump unit (heating supply means)

Claims (4)

Heating and supplying means for heating the water and supplying hot water;
Saving means for saving energy for the heating and / or the amount of water in the water;
An operation selection means for selecting one of an ON setting that enables the saving means and an OFF setting that keeps the saving means in a stopped state;
A saving effect calculating means for calculating a saving effect obtained by the operation of the saving means;
When the ON setting is selected by the operation selection means, the acquisition effect that is the saving effect actually obtained by the operation of the saving means is notified, and when the OFF setting is selected, A switching notification means for notifying a prediction effect which is a saving effect predicted to be obtained if the saving means is activated;
Hot water supply amount limiting means for configuring the saving means and limiting the hot water supply amount of the hot water;
A reference flow rate acquisition means for acquiring, as a reference flow rate, the flow rate of the hot water in a state where the hot water supply amount is not restricted by the hot water supply amount restriction means ,
The saving effect calculation means calculates the water saving effect that is the saving effect based on the execution frequency and execution time of the flow rate restriction by the hot water supply amount restriction means, the parameter corresponding to the flow rate at the time of flow restriction, and the reference flow rate. Electric water heater that is configured to calculate . Heating and supplying means for heating the water and supplying hot water;
Bathtub water heating means provided with a heat exchanger for heating the bathtub water using the hot water;
A bath water temperature adjusting means for operating the bath water heating means to raise the bath water temperature to a predetermined heat retention stop temperature when the temperature of the bath water is lowered to a predetermined heat retention start temperature;
The operation of periodically detecting the temperature of the bathtub water flowing out of the bathtub by circulating the bathtub water through the heat exchanger is performed, and when the detected temperature of the bathtub water is lowered to the heat retention start temperature, the bathtub First heat retention operating means for operating the water temperature adjusting means;
The temperature of the bathtub water is estimated, and only when it is determined that the estimated temperature has decreased to the heat retention start temperature, by operating the bath water temperature adjustment means, the first heat retention operation means is activated. A second heat retaining operation means for reducing the number of times of operation of the bathtub water temperature adjusting means,
ON setting in which the first heat retaining operation means is held in a stopped state and the second heat retaining operation means is operable, and the second heat retaining operation means is operable with the first heat retaining operation means being operable. Operation selection means for selecting any of the OFF settings that are held in a stopped state;
As a saving effect, the difference between the number of times of operation of the bath water temperature adjusting means when the ON setting is selected by the operation selecting means and the number of times of operation of the bath water temperature adjusting means when the OFF setting is selected. A saving effect calculating means for calculating;
When the ON setting is selected by the operation selecting means, an acquisition effect which is a saving effect actually obtained by the operation of the second heat retaining operation means is notified, and the OFF setting is set by the operation selecting means. Is selected, a switching notification means for notifying a prediction effect which is a saving effect predicted to be obtained if the second heat insulation operation means is activated,
Electric water heater equipped with. Natural temperature decrease rate estimation means for estimating a speed when the temperature of the bathtub water decreases due to natural heat dissipation in a state where the bathtub water temperature adjustment means is stopped,
Thermal insulation restart timing calculation means for calculating a thermal insulation start request time, which is a time required for the bathtub water temperature to decrease to the thermal insulation start temperature after the bathtub water temperature adjustment means is stopped, based on the natural temperature decrease rate. And comprising
3. The electricity according to claim 2 , wherein the second heat retention operation unit is configured to operate the bath water temperature adjustment unit when the heat retention start request time has elapsed after the bath water temperature adjustment unit has stopped. Water heater. Power consumption calculating means for preliminarily storing power consumption of components that consume power when the bathtub water temperature adjusting means is operated, and calculating the integrated power consumption of the components based on the integrated operation time of the bathtub water temperature adjusting means;
The difference between the integrated power consumption of the component when the ON setting is selected by the operation selecting means and the integrated power consumption of the component when the OFF setting is selected by the operation selecting means is calculated as a saving effect. Power saving effect calculating means for
Display selection means for selecting any one of the saving effect calculated by the saving effect calculation means and the saving effect calculated by the power saving effect calculation means,
The switching notification means displays the acquired effect when the ON setting is selected by the action selecting means for the saving effect selected by the display selecting means, and the OFF setting is selected by the action selecting means. The electric water heater according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the prediction effect is displayed when the prediction effect is displayed.

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