JP7498960B2 - HYBRID HOT-WATER SUPPLY METHOD, SYSTEM, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, HYBRID CONTROL UNIT, AND REMOTE CONTROL UNIT - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control technology for hybrid hot water supply in which, for example, a heat pump unit (hereinafter referred to as an "HP unit") and a gas water heater are used together as a hot water heat source, and a hot water storage unit is used for heat storage.

Conventionally, hybrid hot water supply systems have been put into practical use, including a hot water supply means using a HP unit as a heat source, a hot water supply means using the heat of combustion of fuel gas as a heat source, and a hot water storage unit for heat storage.

Regarding this hybrid hot water supply system, it is disclosed that multiple planned usage times for the day are estimated based on past operating history, predicted temperature information indicating the predicted temperature at the planned usage times is obtained, and either the boil-up set temperature or the boil-up set amount is corrected depending on the difference between the predicted temperature indicated by the predicted temperature information and a reference temperature, and either the boil-up set temperature or the boil-up set amount, or both, are set to suit the hot water demand (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-67196 A

The hybrid hot water supply system uses electricity and fuel gas, which have different energy costs, as heat sources, and combines the excellent functions of gas water heaters and HP units, which gas water heaters do not have, to take advantage of the advantages of both, aiming to reduce running costs. Gas water heaters have the advantage of being able to supply hot water at high temperatures, while HP units have the advantage of being able to increase operating efficiency by continuously supplying hot water at low temperatures. In conventional hybrid hot water supply systems, the HP unit heats water to a low temperature at which operating efficiency is good, stores the water in a hot water storage unit, and supplies hot water from the hot water storage unit. If the amount of heat required for hot water supply from the hot water storage unit is insufficient, the shortage is compensated for by heating the gas water heater. However, depending on the hot water supply for a certain period of time, the operating rate of the gas water heater may increase or the downtime of the HP unit may become longer, resulting in problems such as worsening running costs.

For example, let us compare a restaurant or other establishment that has a daily hot water demand of 5,000 liters, which has a constant demand for hot water throughout the day, and a restaurant or other establishment that has an intermittent demand for hot water. Figure 18 shows the hot water supply and demand ratio pattern by time of day, with the horizontal axis representing the time and the vertical axis representing the hot water supply and demand ratio (%). Note that the hot water supply and demand for one day (24 hours) is set to 100%.
In this example, store A has a high demand for hot water all the time, whereas store B has a low demand for hot water. In other words, since store A operates the HP unit for a long time, setting the boiling temperature to 65°C can reduce costs.

On the other hand, in store B, the hot water supply is stopped for a long time, the hot water storage unit is in a so-called full storage state, and the operation of the HP unit is stopped for a long time. In this case, if the boiling temperature is set to 85°C, the operation time of the HP unit will be longer, so costs can be reduced compared to when the boiling temperature is set to 65°C.
The amount of power consumed by an HP unit (electricity bill) depends on the operating time, heating temperature, efficiency, etc. of the HP unit, while the amount of gas consumed by a gas water heater (gas bill) depends on the operating time, hot water temperature setting, water supply temperature, etc. Therefore, it can be said that reducing running costs lies in optimizing the ratio between the amount of power consumed by the HP unit and the amount of gas consumed by the gas water heater, both of which are required to supply hot water.
The electricity cost of the HP unit is affected by variables such as the efficiency of the HP unit, the heating temperature (heat storage temperature), the demand for hot water and its fluctuations, the outdoor temperature due to the season, etc. Furthermore, the efficiency and capacity of the HP unit are affected by the water supply temperature. The gas cost of a gas water heater is also affected by variables such as the demand for hot water and its fluctuations, the outdoor temperature, etc.

To address this issue, even if a system is constructed that automatically switches the heating temperature of the HP unit based on past operating records, naturally there is no past operating information when the system is first installed. For this reason, the heating temperature and running costs must be set to expected values (default values), and even if a certain level of operating record is obtained, the user must decide which value to switch to and when. In such a system that assumes human intervention, even if it is equipped with excellent control functions, it is not rational for the user to have to operate it complicatedly, and there is the inconvenience of wasting electricity and gas usage.

In response to these issues, the inventors discovered that it is reasonable to start operation at an arbitrary boiling temperature when the system is first installed, then use the operational performance data accumulated over a certain period of time to determine the boiling temperature that will reduce or minimize running costs, and then switch to this boiling temperature.
Therefore, based on the above problems and findings, the object of the present invention is to accumulate operating performance data obtained over a certain period of time since the start of operation, to determine the boiling temperature that minimizes running costs, and to realize automatic switching to this boiling temperature.
Another object of the present invention is to increase the degree of freedom in switching the boiling temperature by selecting a manual switching mode or an automatic switching mode.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the hybrid hot water supply method of the present invention, hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means is stored in a hot water storage unit, and when hot water is supplied using the hot water storage unit, a second hot water supply means can supplement a heat deficiency required for supplying hot water at a set temperature, the hybrid hot water supply method comprising the steps of: acquiring manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information of a boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means by a mode information acquisition unit; transitioning to the automatic switching mode when operation history information exists when the mode information acquisition unit acquires the automatic switching mode information, and transitioning to the manual switching mode when the operation history information does not exist; and acquiring hot water demand information. The method includes a step of an information acquisition unit acquiring hot water demand information indicating hot water demand while the manual switching mode is being executed and while the automatic switching mode is being executed , a step of a cost information acquisition unit acquiring running cost information indicating the running cost calculated for each different heating temperature using the hot water demand information based on the operation performance information for a certain period of time, a step of a heating temperature selection unit selecting heating temperature information that is the minimum value of the running cost or a value close to the minimum value, and a step of a heating temperature switching unit switching the heating temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means using the heating temperature information from the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode.

This hybrid hot water supply method may further include a step in which the boiling temperature selection unit selects boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and the boiling temperature switching unit switches the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means based on the boiling temperature information.
This hybrid hot water supply method may further include a step in which an information presentation unit presents any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information, and the boiling temperature information.
This hybrid hot water supply method may further include a step in which, after the automatic switching mode information is selected, an information presentation unit presents display information indicating that the automatic switching mode has been selected while the manual switching mode is being executed.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the hybrid hot water supply system of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid hot water supply system capable of storing hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means in a hot water storage unit, and supplementing a heat deficiency required for hot water supply at a set temperature by a second hot water supply means when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit, the hybrid hot water supply system including: a mode information acquisition unit which acquires manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information for a boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means, and when the automatic switching mode information is acquired, switches the mode to the automatic switching mode if operation history information exists, and switches to the manual switching mode if the operation history information does not exist; The hot water supply system includes a hot water demand information acquisition unit that acquires hot water demand information representing hot water demand while the manual switching mode and the automatic switching mode are being executed , a cost information acquisition unit that acquires running cost information representing the running cost calculated for each different boiling temperature using the hot water demand information based on the operation performance information for a certain period of time, a boiling temperature selection unit that selects boiling temperature information that is the minimum value of the running cost or a value close to the minimum value, and a boiling temperature switching unit that switches the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means using the boiling temperature information from the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode.

In this hybrid hot water supply system, the boiling temperature switching unit may further select boiling temperature information that results in the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and based on the boiling temperature information, the boiling temperature switching unit may switch the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means.
This hybrid hot water supply system may further include an information presentation unit that presents any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information, and the boiling temperature information.
This hybrid hot water supply system may further include an information input unit that is displayed on the information input screen of the information presentation unit, and may be equipped with a mode input unit that inputs manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information for the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means on the information input screen, and a boiling temperature input unit that can select from a plurality of boiling temperatures.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, there is provided a program to be executed by a computer used in a hybrid hot water supply system in which hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means is stored in a hot water storage unit, and when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit, a second hot water supply means is capable of supplementing a heat deficiency required for supplying hot water at a set temperature, the program having a function of acquiring manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information for a boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means, and when the automatic switching mode information is acquired, if operation history information exists, switching to the automatic switching mode, and switching to the manual switching mode if the operation history information does not exist. The computer is caused to execute the following functions: a function to transition the hot water supply means to the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode; a function to acquire hot water demand information indicating hot water demand while the manual switching mode is being executed and while the automatic switching mode is being executed; a function to acquire running cost information indicating the running cost calculated for each different boiling temperature using the hot water demand information based on the operational performance information for a certain period of time; a function to acquire selection information of boiling temperature information that is the minimum value of the running cost or a value close to the minimum value; and a function to switch the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means using the boiling temperature information from the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode.

This program may further cause the computer to execute a function of selecting boiling temperature information that results in the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and switching the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means based on the boiling temperature information.
This program may further cause the computer to execute a function of causing an information presentation unit to present any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information, and the boiling temperature information.
This program may further cause the computer to execute a function of causing an information presentation unit to present display information indicating that the automatic switching mode has been selected while the manual switching mode is being executed after the automatic switching mode information has been selected.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium on which the above program is recorded.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the hybrid control unit of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid control unit used in a hybrid hot water supply system in which hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means is stored in a hot water storage unit, and when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit, a shortage of heat required for supplying hot water at a set temperature can be supplemented by a second hot water supply means, the hybrid control unit acquiring manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information for a boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means , and when the automatic switching mode information is acquired, if operation history information is present, switching to the automatic switching mode, and if the operation history information is not present, switching to the manual switching mode. the hot water supply system includes a hot water supply demand information acquisition unit that acquires hot water demand information representing hot water demand while the manual switching mode is being executed and while the automatic switching mode is being executed ; a cost information acquisition unit that acquires running cost information representing the running cost calculated for each different hot water supply temperature using the hot water supply demand information based on the operation performance information for a certain period of time; a hot water supply temperature selection unit that selects hot water supply temperature information that is the minimum value of the running cost or a value close to the minimum value; and a hot water supply temperature switching unit that switches the hot water supply temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means using the hot water supply temperature information from the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode.

In this hybrid control unit, the boiling temperature selection unit may further select boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and the boiling temperature switching unit may switch the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means based on the boiling temperature information.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the remote control unit of the present invention, the remote control unit is equipped with the hybrid control unit or is linked to the hybrid control unit, and is provided with an information presentation unit that presents any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information, and the boiling temperature information.
This remote control unit may further include an information input section that is displayed on the information input screen of the information presentation section, and may be equipped with a mode input section that inputs manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information for the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means onto the information input screen, and a boiling temperature input section that can select from a plurality of boiling temperatures.

According to the present invention, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By accumulating operational data obtained over a certain period of time since the start of operation, the system can determine the boiling temperature that minimizes running costs and automatically switch to this boiling temperature, thereby reducing running costs.
(2) The heating temperature can be automatically adjusted in response to fluctuations in hot water demand, reducing running costs.
(3) An automatic or manual switching mode for the heating temperature can be selected. If operation information such as hot water demand information is not held, the heating temperature can be selected and the operation information can be accumulated. After the operation information has been accumulated, the heating temperature can be automatically switched to the optimal heating temperature at which the running costs are minimized or close to the minimum.
(4) In the automatic temperature switching mode for the boiling water, the optimum boiling temperature is selected so that the running costs are minimized or close to the minimum value, eliminating the need for user settings.
(5) In addition to reducing running costs, the hot water storage capacity of the hot water storage unit can be reduced, making the system more compact.
(6) The automatic temperature switching mode can reduce running costs in response to changes in hot water demand during operating seasons such as winter and summer, making it possible to create a highly convenient hybrid hot water system.

4 is a flowchart showing hot water supply control according to the first embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing a hybrid hot water supply system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an information input screen of an information input unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an information presentation screen of an information presentation unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional parts of the hybrid hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a hybrid hot water supply system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hot water storage unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an HP unit. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gas water heater. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a remote control unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a setting operation section with the opening/closing cover open. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating hardware of a hybrid control unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation information DB. 4 is a flowchart showing hot water supply control. 10 is a flowchart showing a mode setting and mode switching process. 11 is a flowchart showing calculation of running costs on a weekly basis and automatic heating temperature switching control. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing information presentation for hot water supply control. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing information presentation for hot water supply control. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing example patterns of hot water supply and demand ratios.

First Embodiment
Fig. 1 shows a hot water supply process according to a first embodiment. The process shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a process.
This hot water supply process is realized by the hybrid hot water supply method or program of the present disclosure. In Fig. 1, S indicates a process, and the numbers attached to S indicate an example of the order of the processes. Each functional part of the hybrid hot water supply system 2 (Fig. 2) is cited in the explanation of this hot water supply process.

This hot water supply process includes control of mode setting and condition judgment, control by automatic switching mode of boiling temperature Th, and control by manual switching mode. Even if automatic switching mode is selected, if operation history information is not held, selection of boiling temperature Th in manual switching mode is performed and operation history information is accumulated. Based on this accumulation, reduction of running cost RC by automatic switching mode is attempted.
The mode setting and condition determination includes an initial setting including a mode setting (S101), a determination of acquisition of mode selection information (S102), and a determination of automatic switching mode conditions (S103).

The automatic switching mode includes setting the automatic switching mode (S104), obtaining efficiency information (S105), obtaining unit price information (S106), determining whether to obtain hot water demand information for a certain period of time (S107), determining the operation period (S108), calculating the running cost RC (S109), selecting the boiling temperature Th (S110), switching the boiling temperature Th (S111), obtaining operation information (S112), presenting information (S113), and determining whether to continue operation (S114).
The manual switching mode includes setting the manual switching mode (S115), selecting the boiling temperature Th (S116), and determining whether to obtain boiling temperature information (S117), as well as obtaining operation information common to the automatic switching mode (S112), presenting the information (S113), and determining whether to continue operation (S114).

<Mode setting/condition judgment>
Initial Settings Including Mode Setting (S101): The hybrid control unit 10 executes initial settings including mode setting.
Determination of Acquisition of Mode Selection Information (S102): The hybrid control unit 10 determines whether to acquire mode information selected by the user. That is, it determines whether to acquire mode selection information indicating whether the mode is an automatic switching mode in which the boiling temperature Th is automatically switched or a manual switching mode in which the boiling temperature Th is manually switched.
Determination of Automatic Switching Mode Conditions (S103): When the automatic switching mode is selected, the hybrid control unit 10 determines whether the operating conditions for the automatic switching mode are satisfied, that is, whether the operating information required for automatic switching of the water heating temperature Th is accumulated and held.

<Automatic switching mode of boiling temperature Th>
Automatic switching mode (S104): If the operating conditions required for the automatic switching mode are met, the hybrid control unit 10 transitions to the automatic switching mode and executes the automatic switching mode.

Acquisition of efficiency information (S105): The cost information acquisition unit 30 refers to the operation information database (DB) 158 (FIG. 12) and acquires efficiency information such as the COP (Coefficient Of Performance) of the HP unit 6 and the hot water heating efficiency of the gas water heater 8. The COP is a growth coefficient and is an index representing the energy saving performance of the HP unit 6, and is closely related to the running cost RC of the hybrid hot water system 2 together with the hot water heating efficiency of the gas water heater 8.
Acquisition of unit price information (S106): The cost information acquisition unit 30 acquires unit price information by referring to the operation information DB 158. The unit price includes the unit price of power consumption and the unit price of gas consumption, the former being used to calculate the running cost RC from the power consumption over a certain period of time, and the latter being used to calculate the running cost RC from the gas consumption over a certain period of time.

Determination of acquisition of hot water demand information for a certain period (S107): It is determined whether the hot water demand information acquisition unit 28 has acquired hot water demand information for at least a continuous certain period. Hot water demand is the amount of hot water supplied from the hot water storage unit 4, and is the amount of hot water supplied in a certain period, for example, one week. The start and end points of one week may be based on the arrival of the same day of the week, for example. The certain period for acquiring hot water demand information may be 10 days, 20 days, one month, etc.
Determination of operating period (S108): The cost information acquisition unit 30 acquires operating period information and determines the operating period. The operating period is the operating period when the hybrid hot water supply system 2 is operating. This period includes, for example, the frost period, winter period, intermediate period, and summer period, and these periods are determined by the outdoor air temperature. For example, the frost period < 10°C, 8°C < winter period < 18°C, 16°C < intermediate period < 25°C, and 23°C < summer period may be set.

Calculation of Running Cost RC (S109): The cost information acquisition unit 30 calculates the running cost RC using a plurality of heating temperatures Th of the HP unit 6, for example 65° C., 75° C., and 85° C., as parameters.
The running cost RC is calculated by determining the amount of power consumed and the amount of gas consumed for a certain period of time using multiple heating temperatures Th as parameters, the COP of the HP unit 6, the hot water supply efficiency of the gas hot water heater 8, the unit prices of electricity and gas, the amount of hot water supplied for a certain period of time, and temperature information indicating the operating period, and accumulating the running cost RC. In this case, multiple running costs RC are calculated using the heating temperatures Th = 65°C, 75°C, 85°C, and the hot water supply temperature linkage value as parameters.

Selection of boiling temperature Th (S110): The boiling temperature selection unit 32 selects the minimum value of the running cost RC or a value close to it from the results of the running cost RC calculated for each boiling temperature Th used as a parameter, and selects the optimal boiling temperature Th corresponding to this minimum value or a value close to it.
Switching of boiling temperature Th (S111): The boiling temperature switching unit 34 sets the selected boiling temperature Th in the HP control unit 20 of the HP unit 6. As a result, the boiling temperature Th of the HP unit 6 is automatically switched by the hybrid control unit 10.

Acquisition of operation information (S112): The operation information acquisition unit 36 acquires operation information of the HP unit 6 from the HP control unit 20, and acquires operation information of the gas water heater 8 from the hot water supply control unit 24. The operation information is stored in the operation information DB 158.
Presentation of Information (S113): The information presentation control unit 38 generates presentation information from the various control information that the hybrid control unit 10 has acquired up to this point in time, and presents the information to the information presentation unit 42.
Determination of whether to continue operation (S114): The hybrid control unit 10 determines whether to continue operation by acquiring operation end information and the like from the information input unit of the remote control unit 12. If operation is to be continued (YES in S114), the process returns to S102 and operation is continued in the automatic switching mode or the manual switching mode.

<Manual switching mode of boiling temperature Th>
Setting of manual switching mode (S115): If the automatic switching mode information has not been acquired (NO in S102), or if the conditions required for the automatic switching mode are not met (NO in S103), the manual switching mode is set.
Selection of boiling temperature Th (S116): In the manual switching mode, the boiling temperature Th is left to the user's selection. This boiling temperature Th is selected from the information input unit 40 of the remote control unit 12. The boiling temperature Th set in the HP unit 6 is left to the user's selection of boiling temperature information indicating a boiling temperature such as 65°C, 75°C, 85°C, or linked to the hot water supply temperature.

Whether or not to acquire boiling temperature information (S117): The mode information acquisition unit 26 of the hybrid control unit 10 acquires the mode information and whether or not to acquire boiling temperature information. If the boiling temperature information has been acquired, the hybrid control unit 10 operates in the manual switching mode.
In the manual switching mode, the operation information acquisition unit 36 acquires operation information in the manual switching mode (S112).Then, the hybrid control unit 10 presents the information that has been acquired up to this point (S113), and similarly determines whether to continue operation (S114).

<Hybrid hot water system 2>
Fig. 2 shows an example of the hybrid hot water supply system 2 according to the first embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 2 is just an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
This hybrid hot water supply system 2 includes a hot water storage unit 4 , a HP unit 6 , a gas hot water heater 8 , a hybrid control unit 10 , and a remote control unit 12 .
The hot water storage unit 4 includes a hot water storage tank 14 and a hot water storage control unit 16. The hot water storage tank 14 stores the hot water HW heated by the HP unit 6 in a hierarchical heat storage state in which the temperature increases from the lower layer to the upper layer, and supplies the hot water HW to a demand location based on hot water supply demand. The hot water storage control unit 16 controls the supply and storage of the hot water HW to realize hot water supply at a set temperature using the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14.

The HP unit 6 is an example of a first hot water supply means, and includes a heat exchanger 18 and an HP controller 20. The heat exchanger 18 circulates the feed water W obtained from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 14, and exchanges heat between the feed water W and the heat of the heat medium to convert the feed water W into hot water HW. The HP controller 20 sets a boiling temperature of the hot water HW, and boils the hot water HW to the boiling temperature Th. This boiling temperature is set by the hybrid controller 10.
The gas water heater 8 is an example of a second hot water supply means, and includes a heat exchanger 22 and a hot water supply controller 24. The heat exchanger 22 uses, for example, the combustion of fuel gas as a heat source, and exchanges heat between the combustion heat and low-temperature hot water HW obtained from the middle layer of the hot water storage unit 4 to heat the hot water HW. The hot water supply controller 24 detects the inflow of hot water HW from the hot water storage tank 14, starts the combustion of the fuel gas, heats the hot water HW with the combustion heat, and controls the hot water HW heated to a certain temperature to be returned to the hot water storage tank 14.

The hybrid control unit 10 is an example of a hybrid control unit and is configured, for example, by a computer having a communication function. As information processing function units of this computer, the hybrid control unit 10 is configured with a mode information acquisition unit 26, a hot water supply demand information acquisition unit 28, a cost information acquisition unit 30, a heating temperature selection unit 32, a heating temperature switching unit 34, an operation information acquisition unit 36, an information presentation control unit 38, and the like.
The mode information acquisition unit 26 acquires manual switching mode information or automatic temperature switching mode information for the boiling temperature Th as control information input by a user selection operation of the remote control unit 12 .
The hot water demand information acquisition unit 28 acquires hot water demand information indicating the amount of hot water supplied to the demand location from the hot water storage control unit 16 of the hot water storage unit 4, and stores the information in the operation information DB 158 to accumulate each piece of operation information.

The cost information acquisition unit 30 calculates the running cost RC. This running cost RC is calculated as the running cost RC incurred for hot water supply during at least a certain period of operation using the power consumption amount information and the gas consumption amount information incurred for hot water supply during a certain period of time, and cost information representing this running cost RC is acquired.
The running cost RC is calculated using as parameters multiple heating temperatures Th that can be set in the HP unit 6, for example 65°C, 75°C, and 85°C. In other words, the cost information acquisition unit 30 uses multiple heating temperatures Th as parameters and calculates the amount of power consumed and the amount of gas consumed for a certain period of time using the COP of the HP unit 6, the hot water heating efficiency of the gas hot water heater 8, the unit prices of electricity and gas, the amount of hot water supplied for a certain period of time, and temperature information indicating the operating period, to accumulate the running cost RC. In this case, multiple running costs RC are calculated using the heating temperatures Th = 65°C, 75°C, and 85°C, and the hot water temperature linkage value as parameters.

The boiling temperature selection unit 32 selects a boiling temperature Th that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value from the cost information.
The boiling temperature switching unit 34 switches the boiling temperature Th to a minimum value or a value close to the minimum value based on the cost information.
The operation information acquisition unit 36 acquires operation information of the HP unit 6 from the HP control unit 20 and operation information of the gas water heater 8 from the hot water supply control unit 24, and stores the information in the operation information DB 158 to accumulate each piece of operation information.
The information presentation control unit 38 acquires heating temperature information indicating the heating temperature Th, mode information, operation information, efficiency information, unit price information, hot water demand information, etc., generates presentation information, and presents it on the information presentation unit 42 of the remote control unit 12.
In this embodiment, the hybrid control unit 10 is configured independent of the hot water storage control unit 16 and the remote control unit 12, but it may be integrated with the hot water storage control unit 16 or installed in the remote control unit 12.

The remote control unit 12 includes an information input section 40 , an information presentation section 42 , and a remote control control section 44 .
The information input unit 40 is used for inputting information such as operation start input, operation end input, and setting information for manual switching mode or automatic switching mode information for the boiling temperature Th by user operation under the control of the remote control control unit 44 .
Under the control of the remote control unit 44, the information presentation unit 42 presents information such as mode selection information, boiling temperature information, cost information, and operating time information.
The remote control unit 44 performs control such as information input and information output based on wireless or wired connections with the hybrid control unit 10, the hot water storage control unit 16, the HP control unit 20, and the hot water supply control unit 24.

<Information input screen 46 of information input unit 40>
FIG. 3 shows an information input screen 46 of the information input unit 40 .
The information input screen 46 is configured as an information input section using a touch panel provided on the display screen of the information presentation section 42. The information input screen 46 has a manual switching mode section 48, a boiling temperature input section 50, an automatic switching mode section 52, an efficiency information input section 54, and a unit price information input section 56 set thereon.
The manual switching mode section 48 can be set to the manual switching mode by touch when manually setting the boiling temperature Th.
The boiling temperature input section 50 includes a 65° C. section 50-1, a 75° C. section 50-2, an 85° C. section 50-3, and a hot water temperature linkage section 50-4, and any one of the boiling temperatures Th can be manually set by touch.

The automatic switching mode section 52 can be set by touching during the automatic switching mode of the boiling temperature Th.
The efficiency information input unit 54 is used to input efficiency information such as the COP of the HP unit 6 or the gas water heater 8 .
The unit price information input section 56 is used to input unit price information that indicates the unit price of electricity, gas, or the like.

<Information Presentation Screen 58 of Information Presentation Unit 42>
4 shows an information presentation screen 58 of the information presentation unit 42. This information presentation screen 58 has set thereon a heating temperature information section 60, a mode information section 62, a cost information section 64, a hot water demand information section 66, an operation information section 68, and an elapsed time information section 70.
The boiling temperature information section 60 presents boiling temperature information indicating the currently set boiling temperature Th.
The mode information section 62 presents mode information indicating the currently set manual switching mode or automatic switching mode of the boiling temperature Th.
The cost information section 64 presents cost information indicating the running cost RC calculated in the automatic switching mode.

The hot water demand information section 66 presents hot water demand information indicating the hot water demand imposed on the hot water storage unit 4 .
Operation information section 68 presents operation information of hybrid hot water supply system 2. This operation information includes the operation time of HP unit 6, the operation time of gas water heater 8, and their accumulated operation times. The operation time of HP unit 6 is presented in HP unit operation time section 68-1, the operation time of gas water heater 8 is presented in gas water heater operation time section 68-2, and the accumulated operation time is presented in accumulated operation time section 68-3.
The elapsed time information section 70 presents elapsed time information indicating the elapsed time from the time point when the boiling temperature Th was changed.

<Hybrid hot water system 2>
FIG. 5 shows functional parts of a hybrid hot water supply system 2 according to the first embodiment.
The hot water storage unit 4 receives water W in the hot water storage tank 14, stores hot water HW boiled by the HP unit 6, and supplies hot water at a set temperature by compensating for a heat deficiency at the time of hot water supply by heating the gas water heater 8. The hot water storage tank 14 is an example of a hot water storage means. The water W is supplied to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 14 through a water supply pipe 72. The hot water HW is supplied to a demand point through a hot water supply pipe 76 equipped with an overpressure relief valve 74.
The hot water storage control unit 16 controls the hot water supply from the hot water storage unit 4, calculates the heat deficit of the hot water supply at the set temperature, and provides control information including this heat deficit to the hybrid control unit 10. The hybrid control unit 10 may be incorporated in the hybrid hot water supply system 2 as an independent device configuration as a hybrid control unit.

The HP unit 6 includes a heat exchanger 18 including a heat medium circulation path 78, an air heat exchanger 80, a compressor 82, a heat medium heat exchanger 84, and an expansion valve 86. The heat medium circulation path 78 circulates the heat medium HM, which is a heating medium for the supply water W. The air heat exchanger 80 heats the heat medium HM by exchanging heat with the heat of air 87. The compressor 82 increases the temperature and pressure of the heat medium HM by compression.
The heat medium heat exchanger 84 exchanges heat between the heat medium HM flowing in the heat medium circulation path 78 and the feed water W flowing in the first hot water storage circulation path 88, and heats the feed water W with the heat of the heat medium HM. The feed water W from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 14 flows from the first hot water storage circulation path 88 to the heat medium heat exchanger 84, and the hot water HW is supplied from the heat medium heat exchanger 84 to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 14. The pressure of the heat medium HM expanded by the heat exchange is regulated by an expansion valve 86.
The heat-up temperature Th is set by the hybrid control unit 10, and the HP control unit 20 heats the feed water W to this heat-up temperature Th to produce hot water HW.

The gas water heater 8 is connected to a second hot water storage circulation path 90, and the heat exchange section 22 is provided with a burner 92, a primary heat exchanger 94, a secondary heat exchanger 96, etc. In the second hot water storage circulation path 90, low-temperature hot water HW is taken out from the middle layer of the hot water storage tank 14, and the hot water HW in which the heat deficiency is compensated for by heating is supplied to the upper layer of the hot water storage tank 14.
The burner 92 is an example of a combustion means for the fuel gas G, and generates the combustion exhaust gas EG by burning the fuel gas G. The secondary heat exchanger 96 mainly exchanges latent heat from the downstream side of the combustion exhaust gas EG with the hot water HW. The primary heat exchanger 94 is supplied with the hot water HW that has passed through the secondary heat exchanger 96, and mainly exchanges sensible heat from the upstream side of the combustion exhaust gas EG with the hot water HW.
The hot water supply control unit 24 receives control information from the hybrid control unit 10, heats the hot water HW from the hot water storage unit 4, and compensates for the lack of heat for hot water supply at the set temperature.

Then, the hybrid control unit 10 executes the hybrid control described in Figure 1, calculates the minimum value of the running cost RC using the hot water supply amount over a certain period, for example one week, with multiple heating temperatures Th as parameters, selects the heating temperature Th from the running cost RC that corresponds to this minimum value, provides this heating temperature Th to the HP control unit 20, and automatically switches the heating temperature Th of the HP unit 6.
The boiling temperature Th may be selected based on the minimum value of the running cost RC, but the running cost RC may be selected from a value close to the minimum value, and the boiling temperature Th may be selected from the running cost RC. In the manual setting, the boiling temperature Th may be set to 65°C, 75°C, 85°C, or linked to the hot water temperature, selected by the user.
The remote control unit 12 is used to set the setting mode for the boiling temperature Th, input information including remote instructions for various controls, and also to manually operate the hybrid control unit 10.

Effects of the First Embodiment
According to the first embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By accumulating operational data obtained over a certain period of time since the start of operation, the heating temperature that minimizes the running cost RC can be determined, and this heating temperature can be automatically switched to, thereby reducing the running cost RC.
(2) Even if the demand for hot water fluctuates, the heating temperature can be automatically changed in response to this fluctuation, thereby reducing the running cost RC.
(3) If operation information such as hot water demand information is not held, the heating temperature can be selected and the operation information can be accumulated. After the operation information is accumulated, the heating temperature can be automatically switched to the optimal heating temperature at which the running cost RC is minimized or close to its minimum value.
(4) For hot water supply for a fixed period of time, such as one week, the minimum running cost RC of the hybrid hot water supply system 2 or a value close to it can be calculated using the heating temperature Th of the HP unit 6 as a parameter, and the heating temperature Th corresponding to the minimum running cost RC or a value close to it can be selected. In addition, the heating temperature Th of the HP unit 6 can be automatically switched, thereby enabling a reduction in the running cost RC.
(5) Since the operating period can be selected by obtaining temperature information simply by setting the unit price of electricity or fuel gas, the optimal boiling temperature Th can be automatically set from the minimum value of the running cost RC or a value close to it, thereby realizing a highly convenient system without any hassle for the user.
(6) The coordinated operation of the HP unit 6 and the gas water heater 8 can contribute to reducing the capacity of the hot water storage tank 14 of the hot water storage unit 4, making the system more compact.
(7) Even if the seasonal operating conditions or installation environment differ, errors in the running cost RC can be absorbed by calculating the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost RC, so that a highly convenient hybrid hot water supply system 2 can be provided.
(8) Cost information, operation information, and the like can be checked at any time on the screen display of the information presentation unit 42.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 6 shows a hybrid hot water supply system 2 according to a second embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 6 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
This hybrid hot water supply system 2 is composed of a hot water storage unit 4, a HP unit 6, a gas hot water heater 8 and a remote control unit 12 as independent devices.

<Hot water storage unit 4>
FIG. 7 shows an example of the hot water storage unit 4 .
A water supply pipe 72 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 14, and water W, such as tap water, is supplied from this water supply pipe 72 to the lower layer side of the hot water storage tank 14. Temperature sensor 98-1 detects the water supply temperature T1. Temperature sensor 98-2 detects the temperature T2 of the hot water HW flowing through the hot water outlet pipe 100. Temperature sensor 98-3 detects the upper layer temperature T3 of the hot water storage tank 14, temperature sensor 98-4 detects the middle layer temperature T4 of the hot water storage tank 14, temperature sensor 98-5 detects the middle layer temperature T5 of the hot water storage tank 14, and temperature sensor 98-6 detects the lower layer temperature T6 of the hot water storage tank 14.

The mixing valve 102 is installed at the confluence of the hot water outlet pipe 100 and the bypass pipe 104, mixes the hot water HW with the supply water W from the mains water supply, and flows the mixed water into the hot water supply pipe 76. The mixing ratio is determined by the opening of the bypass pipe 104 side and the hot water outlet pipe 100 side. The flow sensor 106 detects the presence or absence of flow or the passing flow rate of only the supply water W from the bypass pipe 104, the mixed hot water of this supply water W and the hot water HW from the hot water outlet pipe 100, or only the hot water HW from the hot water outlet pipe 100. The temperature sensor 98-7 detects the temperature T7 of the hot water HW passing through the hot water supply pipe 76.

The hot water storage circulation path 88 is a circulation path connected between the hot water storage tank 14 and the HP unit 6. This hot water storage circulation path 88 includes a forward pipe 88-1, a return pipe 88-2, and a bypass pipe 88-3. The forward pipe 88-1 is a pipe that guides the lower layer water of the hot water storage tank 14 to the HP unit 6, and includes a circulation pump 108 and a temperature sensor 98-8. The temperature sensor 98-8 detects the temperature T8 of the supply water W that flows from the hot water storage tank 14 to the HP unit 6.

The return pipe 88-2 is a pipe that guides the hot water HW heated by the HP unit 6 to the upper layer of the hot water storage tank 14, and is equipped with a temperature sensor 98-9 and a switching valve 110. The temperature sensor 98-9 detects the temperature of the hot water HW from the HP unit 6. When the temperature T9 of the temperature sensor 98-9 reaches the lower limit temperature, the switching valve 110 switches the flow direction of the hot water HW from the bypass pipe 88-3 to the return pipe 88-2.

The hot water storage circulation path 90 is a circulation path connected between the hot water storage tank 14 and the gas water heater 8. This hot water storage circulation path 90 includes a forward pipe 90-1, a return pipe 90-2, and a circulation pump 112. When the hot water HW in the hot water storage tank 14 is heated, the circulation pump 112 is driven. When the circulation pump 112 is driven, the middle layer water of the hot water storage tank 14 is taken out by the forward pipe 90-1 and circulated to the gas water heater 8, and after being heated by the gas water heater 8, is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 14 by the return pipe 90-2.
A temperature sensor 98-10 for detecting an outside air temperature T10 is installed in the hot water storage unit 4. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 98-10 is used to determine the season corresponding to the operating period, such as the frost period, winter period, intermediate period, or summer period.

The hot water storage control unit 16 acquires the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors 98-1, 98-2, 98-3, 98-4, 98-5, 98-6, 98-7, 98-8, 98-9, and 98-10 and the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor 106, and generates switching control outputs for the mixing valve 102 and the switching valve 110, and control outputs for the circulation pumps 108 and 112, thereby controlling the hot water storage in the hot water storage unit 4.

<HP Unit 6>
8 shows an example of the HP unit 6. As an example, this HP unit 6 includes a heat medium heat exchanger 84, an air heat exchanger 80, a compressor 82, an expansion valve 86, and a heat medium circulation path 78, and constitutes a CO2 heat medium cycle. The heat medium heat exchanger 84 exchanges heat between the water supply W on the hot water storage tank 14 side and the heat medium HM on the heat medium circulation path 78 side. A temperature sensor 98-11 detects an inlet temperature T11 of the heat medium heat exchanger 84, and a temperature sensor 98-12 detects an outlet temperature T12 thereof.
The air heat exchanger 80 exchanges heat between the atmosphere and the uncompressed heat medium HM circulating through the heat medium circulation path 78 by rotating the fan 114, and causes the heat medium HM to absorb heat. The compressor 82 compresses the heat medium HM using electric power. A temperature sensor 98-13 detects a temperature T13 of the outside air taken into the HP unit 6. A temperature sensor 98-14 detects an outlet temperature T14 of the air heat exchanger 80, and a temperature sensor 98-15 detects an outlet temperature T15 of the compressor 82.

The HP unit 6 is always kept in operation, and operates independently to replenish the hot water heat in the hot water storage tank 14 in preparation for hot water demand. When the lower water temperature in the hot water storage tank 14 reaches the upper limit temperature, the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 98-11 rises, and the operation of the HP unit 6 is stopped.

<Gas water heater 8>
9 shows an example of a gas water heater 8. A hot water circulation path 90 connected between the gas water heater 8 and the hot water tank 14 includes a feed pipe 90-1 and a return pipe 90-2.
A flow rate sensor 116 and a temperature sensor 98-16 are installed in the supply pipe 90-1, and a temperature sensor 98-17 is installed in the return pipe 90-2.
The flow rate sensor 116 detects the flow rate of the intermediate water of the hot water storage tank 14 flowing to the gas hot water heater 8. The temperature sensor 98-16 detects the temperature T16 of the intermediate water entering the gas hot water heater 8. The temperature sensor 98-17 detects the temperature T17 of the hot water HW returned from the gas hot water heater 8 to the hot water storage tank 14.
The gas water heater 8 may be provided with a bypass pipe that bypasses the secondary heat exchanger 96 and the primary heat exchanger 94 downstream of the flow sensor 116 and upstream of the temperature sensor 98-17, and a mixing valve where the bypass pipe and the hot water storage circulation path 90 join.

<Remote control unit 12>
FIG. 10A shows an example of the remote control unit 12 .
This remote control unit 12 is equipped with an information presentation screen 58 of the information presentation section 42, a hot water supply button 118, a hot water supply lamp 120, a constant boiling button 122, a constant boiling lamp 124, a scheduled operation button 126, a scheduled operation lamp 128, and is also provided with an opening/closing lid 130.
The information display screen 58 displays operation information such as the heating temperature, hot water supply temperature, and hybrid operation.
The hot water supply button 118 is operated to start or stop the hot water supply operation, and a hot water supply lamp 120 is lit during the hot water supply operation. The constant heating button 122 is operated when constantly filling the hot water storage tank 14 with hot water HW, and during this operation, a constant heating lamp 124 is lit. The scheduled operation button 126 is operated, for example, to set a schedule for heating hot water HW according to business hours, and during scheduled operation, a scheduled operation lamp 128 is lit.

FIG. 10B shows the setting operation section 132 of the remote control unit 12 with the opening/closing cover 130 open.
The setting operation section 132 is provided with a boil setting button 134, a quick button 136, an operating setting button 138, a pause setting button 140, a usage status check button 142, a menu button 144, a hot water temperature setting button 146, a decision button 148, and a back button 150 for returning to the previous screen.
The boiling setting button 134 is operated when setting the boiling temperature of the hot water HW stored in the hot water storage tank 14. The boiling setting button 134 also makes it possible to select an automatic switching mode for the boiling temperature Th.
The rapid operation button 136 is operated during rapid operation, for example, when heating water to supply hot water outside business hours.

The business setting button 138 is used to set the store's business hours, etc. The pause setting button 140 is used to set pauses, such as holidays other than the regular holidays.
The usage status confirmation button 142 is operated to confirm the usage status. The menu button 144 is used for remote control settings. The hot water temperature setting button 146 is linked to the boiling setting button 134, the usage status confirmation button 142, the menu button 144, etc., and is operated to increase or decrease the set temperature and select various setting parameters. The decision button 148 is used to confirm the selected temperature or various setting parameters. The back button 150 can be operated to return to the previous screen without confirming the selected temperature or various setting parameters.

<Electricity consumption, gas consumption and running cost RC of hybrid hot water supply system 2>
1) Power consumption In the HP unit 6, the functional parts such as the compressor 82 and the drive motor of the fan 114 are power loads, and therefore consume power during operation. Therefore, the running cost RC of the HP unit 6 alone, for example, regarding the power consumption over a certain period of time, can be calculated by multiplying the amount of power consumed during that period by the unit price.
As for other power consumption, in the hot water storage unit 4, functional parts such as the mixing valve 102, circulating pumps 108, 112, switching valve 110, and hot water storage control unit 16 are power loads, and therefore consume power during operation. In the gas water heater 8, functional parts such as the fuel switching mechanism of the burner 92 and the hot water supply control unit 24 are power loads, and therefore consume power during operation. In addition, the hybrid control unit 10 and remote control unit 12 also consume power. However, these power consumptions are small compared to the power consumption of the HP unit 6, and therefore may be omitted in the calculation of the running cost RC of the hybrid hot water supply system 2.

2) Gas consumption During the operating period of the gas water heater 8, fuel gas G is consumed by combustion of the burner 92. Therefore, the running cost RC related to the gas consumption of the gas water heater 8 over a certain period can be calculated by multiplying the amount of gas consumed by the unit price.

<Hardware of Hybrid Control Unit 10>
FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the hardware of the hybrid control unit 10 and the hot water storage control unit 16, the HP control unit 20, the hot water supply control unit 24, and the remote control unit 44.
The hybrid control unit 10 includes a processor 152 , a storage unit 154 , and an input/output unit (I/O) 156 .
The processor 152 executes information processing using an OS (Operating System) stored in the storage unit 154. This information processing executes various programs such as a hot water supply control program, and includes various controls such as calculation of the minimum value of the running cost RC or a value close to the minimum value, and determination of the optimum boiling temperature for achieving the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value.
The storage unit 154 is an example of a recording medium that records the program of the present disclosure. In addition to the OS, the hot water supply control program is stored in the storage unit 154, and the storage unit 154 can be configured with a storage element such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
Under the control of the processor 152, the I/O 156 transmits and receives information to and from the hot water storage control unit 16, the HP control unit 20, the hot water supply control unit 24, and the remote control control unit 44.

Although not shown, the remote control unit 44 has computer functions such as a processor similar to those of the hybrid control unit 10, and presents various pieces of presentation information, such as temperature information indicating the heating temperature sent from the hybrid control unit 10, to the information presentation unit 42. The configuration of the information input unit 40 has already been described, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
The hot water storage control unit 16 is connected to the above-mentioned temperature sensors 98-1 to 98-10, mixing valve 102, flow rate sensor 106, circulation pumps 108 and 112, and switching valve 110. Information detected by the various sensors is transmitted to the hybrid control unit 10 via the hot water storage control unit 16.
The HP control unit 20 is connected to the temperature sensors 98-11, 98-12, 98-13, 98-14, and 98-15 described above.
The flow rate sensor 116 and temperature sensors 98-16 and 98-17 described above are connected to the hot water supply control unit 24. Similarly, information detected by the various sensors is transmitted to the hybrid control unit 10 through the hot water supply control unit 24.

<Information Processing by Processor 152>
The information processing by the processor 152 through the execution of the program includes the following steps:
This includes a) coordinated control of the hot water storage control unit 16, HP control unit 20, hot water supply control unit 24, and remote control control unit 44, b) obtaining hot water demand information, c) calculating the amount of power consumption and the amount of gas consumed, d) setting the heating temperature, e) obtaining efficiency information, f) obtaining operating period information and determining the operating period, g) calculating the running cost RC, h) selecting and automatically setting the heating temperature Th, i) generating operation information DB 158, and j) presenting information such as operation information and running cost RC.

<Operation information DB158>
12 shows an example of the operation information DB 158. The operation information DB 158 stores an operation information file 160. The operation information file 160 includes a date and time section 162, an operation period section 164, a calculation period section 166, a hot water storage unit section 168, a HP unit section 170, a gas hot water heater section 172, a hot water supply and demand ratio section 174, a running cost section 176, and a boiling temperature section 178.

The date and time section 162 stores date and time information indicating the date and time of an operating period, etc. The operating period section 164 stores operating period information. For example, the operating period is set to a season such as frost season, winter season, intermediate season, summer season, etc. These seasons are determined and set by the hybrid control section 10 from the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 98-10.
The calculation period section 166 stores period information indicating a calculation period, such as one week, for the running cost RC calculation period.

The hot water storage unit section 168 stores operating information for the hot water storage unit 4. This hot water storage unit section 168 has a water supply temperature section 168-1, a hot water output section 168-2, and a hot water load section 168-3. The water supply temperature section 168-1 stores temperature information indicating the water supply temperature of the hot water W. The hot water output section 168-2 stores hot water output information indicating the amount of hot water HW output from the hot water storage unit 4. The hot water load section 168-3 stores hot water load information indicating the hot water load on the hot water storage unit 4, such as the hot water supply temperature.

The HP unit section 170 stores operation information of the HP unit 6. The HP unit section 170 includes a COP section 170-1, an operation time section 170-2, a power consumption amount section 170-3, a fee unit price section 170-4, and a cost information section 170-5.
The COP section 170-1 stores COP information of the HP unit 6. The operating time section 170-2 stores time information indicating the operating time of the HP unit 6. The power consumption section 170-3 stores power consumption information indicating the power consumption of the HP unit 6. The unit price section 170-4 stores unit price information indicating the unit price of the power consumption, for example, the unit price of a commercial AC power source. The cost information section 170-5 stores cost information given by, for example, the product of the power consumption and the unit price.

The gas water heater section 172 stores operation information of the gas water heater 8. This gas water heater section 172 has an operation time section 172-1, a gas consumption amount section 172-2, a fee unit price section 172-3, and a cost information section 172-4 set therein.
The operating time section 172-1 stores time information indicating the operating time of the gas water heater 8. The consumed gas amount section 172-2 stores consumed gas amount information indicating the amount of gas consumed by the gas water heater 8 during the operating time of the gas water heater 8. The fee unit price section 172-3 stores unit price information indicating the unit price of consumed gas, for example, the unit price of LP gas or city gas. The cost information section 172-4 stores, for example, cost information given by the product of the consumed gas amount and the unit price.

The hot water supply and demand ratio section 174 stores ratio information indicating the hot water supply and demand ratio between the HP unit 6 and the gas water heater 8 as a burden allocation for hot water demand. An HP unit section 174-1 and a gas water heater section 174-2 are set in this hot water supply and demand ratio section 174. The HP unit section 174-1 stores ratio information indicating the supply and demand amount borne by the HP unit 6 for hot water demand.
The gas water heater section 174-2 stores ratio information indicating the supply and demand amount borne by the gas water heater 8 with respect to the hot water demand. The supply and demand amount of the gas water heater section 174-2 includes supplementary information of the heat amount deficiency of the hot water storage unit 4 with respect to the hot water supply temperature.

Cost information indicating the running cost RC is stored in the running cost section 176. In this running cost section 176, a boiling temperature section 176-1 and a minimum value section 176-2 are set.
The parameter information for calculating the running cost RC is stored in the boiling temperature section 176-1. The boiling temperature section 176-1 includes a 65° C. section 176-11, a 75° C. section 176-12, an 85° C. section 176-13, and a hot water supply temperature linkage section 176-14.

The 65°C section 176-11 stores cost information representing the running cost RC when 65°C is used as a parameter. The 75°C section 176-12 stores cost information representing the running cost RC when 75°C is used as a parameter. The 85°C section 176-13 stores cost information representing the running cost RC when 85°C is used as a parameter. Additionally, the hot water temperature linkage section 176-14 stores cost information representing the running cost RC when a hot water temperature linkage value is used as a parameter.

The minimum value section 176-2 stores cost information indicating the minimum value of the running cost RC or a value close to the minimum value, as well as temperature information indicating the boiling temperature Th corresponding to this cost information.
The boiling temperature section 178 stores temperature information indicating an optimal boiling temperature Th that corresponds to the minimum value of the running cost RC or a value close to the minimum value.

<Hot water supply control>
FIG. 13 shows hot water supply control of the hybrid hot water supply system 2.
The hot water supply control of this hybrid hot water supply system 2 includes setting the heating temperature Th (S201), heating hot water HW by the HP unit 6 (S202), storing hot water by the hot water storage unit 4 (S203), requesting hot water supply (S204), determining whether hot water will be delivered at the set temperature (S205), calculating the amount of heat deficiency (S206), heating hot water by the gas water heater 8 (S207), determining whether hot water will be delivered at the set temperature (S208), and delivering hot water at the set temperature (S209).

Setting of heating temperature Th (S201): A heating temperature Th of 65° C., 75° C., 85° C., or linked to the hot water temperature is set in the hybrid control unit 10. The heating temperature Th can also be set by the user via the information input unit 40 of the remote control unit 12.
Heating up hot water HW by HP unit 6 (S202): The hybrid control unit 10 transitions to an operating state upon receiving an "ON" input from the hot water supply button 118 of the remote control unit 12. This causes the HP control unit 20 of the HP unit 6 to start operating, and the HP unit 6 starts heating up the hot water HW.
Storing hot water by hot water storage unit 4 (S203): The hot water storage unit 4 stores hot water HW based on the heating by the HP unit 6.

Hot water supply request (S204): When a demand for hot water arises and the hot water storage unit 4 receives a hot water supply request, the hot water HW of the hot water storage unit 4 is supplied to the hot water demand location.
Determination of hot water supply at set temperature (S205): In response to a hot water supply request, the hybrid control unit 10 determines whether hot water can be supplied at the set temperature from the hot water storage control unit 16 using the heat storage information of the hot water storage unit 4. If hot water can be supplied at the set temperature (YES in S205), hot water is supplied at the set temperature (S209).

Calculating Deficient Heat Amount (S206): If hot water cannot be dispensed at the set temperature (NO in S205), the hot water storage control unit 16 calculates the deficit heat amount and provides the hybrid control unit 10 with control information for compensating for the deficit heat amount.
Heating of hot water by gas water heater 8 (S207): The hybrid control unit 10 drives the circulation pump 112 as a control for replenishing the insufficient heat quantity. By driving this circulation pump 112, middle layer water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 14 to the gas water heater 8 through the forward pipe 90-1 of the hot water storage circulation path 90. This water supply becomes a hot water supply request, and the gas water heater 8 starts supplying hot water. In other words, this hot water supply request causes the burner 92 to ignite and transition to an operating state. As a result, the middle layer water is heated to high-temperature hot water HW and returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 14 through the return pipe 90-2.

Judgment of hot water supply at set temperature (S208): The hybrid control unit 10 judges whether hot water supply at the set temperature is possible from the hot water supply control unit 16 using the heat storage information of the hot water supply unit 4. If hot water supply at the set temperature is possible (YES in S208), hot water supply at the set temperature (S209) is executed. If hot water supply at the set temperature is not possible (NO in S208), calculation of the heat shortage (S206) and hot water heating by the gas water heater 8 (S207) are executed again.
Hot water output at set temperature (S209): Through such control, hot water can be output from the hybrid hot water supply system 2 at the set temperature.

<Mode setting and mode switching process>
Fig. 14 shows the process steps of the mode setting and mode switching process. In this process, if the automatic switching mode of the boiling temperature is set in the initial setting, the mode is stored, and if there is no operation record, the operation record is automatically accumulated in the manual switching mode, and the mode can be switched to the automatic switching mode accordingly.
This processing step includes mode setting (S301), determining operation history (S302), operation in automatic switching mode (S303), operation in manual switching mode (S304), accumulation of operation history (S305), calculation of running cost RC (S306), selection of boiling temperature Th (S307), switching of boiling temperature Th (S308), and acquisition of operation information (S309).

Mode setting (S301): For example, when the hybrid hot water supply system 2 is first installed, the heating temperature Th is set to an arbitrary value, and either the automatic switching mode or the manual switching mode is selected. As a result, the hybrid control unit 10 obtains information on the selected mode.
Determination of operation record (S302): The hybrid control unit 10 acquires the mode setting information and determines the operation record information. The operation record information is acquired because it is stored in the operation information DB 158. This operation record information is used to determine whether the condition for automatic switching of the boiling temperature Th is possible.

Operation in automatic switching mode (S303): If the necessary operation record information is available (YES in S302), the hybrid control unit 10 operates in the automatic switching mode.
Operation in manual switching mode (S304): If the necessary operation record information is not available (NO in S302), the hybrid control unit 10 operates in the manual switching mode.
Accumulation of Operational Record (S305): Regardless of the mode in which operation is started, the hybrid control unit 10 acquires operation information and stores and accumulates the operational record information in the operation information DB 158.

Calculation of Running Cost RC (S306): The hybrid control unit 10 calculates the above-mentioned running cost RC using different boiling temperatures Th as parameters.
Selection of Heating-Up Temperature Th (S307): The hybrid control unit 10 selects the heating-up temperature Th at which the running cost RC is at or near the minimum value.
Switching of boiling temperature Th (S308): As part of the process of switching the boiling temperature Th, the hybrid control unit 10 compares the boiling temperature Th at which the running cost RC is at its minimum or nearby value with the boiling temperature Th during operation, and switches to the boiling temperature Th at which the running cost RC is at its minimum or nearby value, and if the current boiling temperature Th is the optimal value, maintains that value.
Obtaining Operation Information (S309): After the process of switching the water heating temperature Th, the hybrid control unit 10 obtains operation information of the hybrid hot water supply system 2, and returns to S305.

<Calculation of weekly running costs RC and automatic switching of heating temperature>
FIG. 15 shows calculation of the running cost RC on a weekly basis and automatic heating temperature switching control.
The calculation of the running cost RC of the hybrid hot water supply system 2 and the automatic switching control of the boiling temperature include determining the calculation period (S401), setting the boiling temperature Th (S402), calculating the power consumption of the HP unit 6 (S403), calculating the amount of gas consumed by the gas hot water heater 8 (S404), calculating the minimum value of the running cost RC or a value close to it (S405), selecting the boiling temperature Th (S406), and automatically switching the boiling temperature Th (S407).

Calculation period determination (S401): The hybrid control unit 10 determines the calculation period. This calculation period is, for example, one week. If it is one week, the calculation period is seven days of the same day of the week. In this example, the hybrid control unit 10 determines that one week has passed.
Setting of boiling temperature Th (S402): The hybrid control unit 10 sets a plurality of boiling temperatures Th. As described above, the hybrid control unit 10 sets a plurality of boiling temperatures Th as parameters for calculating a plurality of running costs RC.

Calculation of power consumption of HP unit 6 (S403): The hybrid control unit 10 calculates the power consumption of the HP unit 6 in the calculation period using a plurality of water-heating temperatures Th as a parameter.
Calculation of gas consumption amount of gas water heater 8 (S404): The hybrid control unit 10 calculates the gas consumption amount that satisfies the hot water demand of the gas water heater 8 in the calculation period.
Calculation of Minimum Value of Running Cost RC or Its Nearby Value (S405): The hybrid control unit 10 calculates the minimum value of the running cost RC or its near by using the amounts of power consumption and consumed gas corresponding to a plurality of heating temperatures Th.

Selection of Heating-up Temperature Th (S406): The hybrid control unit 10 selects, from among a plurality of heating-up temperatures Th, a heating-up temperature Th that corresponds to the minimum value of the running cost RC or a value close to the minimum value.
Automatic switching of boiling temperature Th (S407): If the selected boiling temperature Th differs from the boiling temperature Th currently set in the HP unit 6, the hybrid control unit 10 switches to the latest boiling temperature Th. In other words, the boiling temperature Th is automatically switched without any user operation.

<Presentation of information>
Fig. 16 shows information presented by the information presentation screen 58 of the remote control unit 12. This information presentation includes a usage status confirmation menu screen 180 (Fig. 16A), a hot water menu screen 182 (Fig. 16B), a period selection menu screen 184 (Fig. 16C), a usage amount presentation screen 186 (Fig. 16D), a usage amount presentation screen 188 (Fig. 16E), and a usage amount presentation screen 190 (Fig. 16F).
As shown in Fig. 16A, the usage status confirmation menu screen 180 allows the selection of upper tank temperature, hot water, and electricity, and the usage status of the selected item can be confirmed. In this example, hot water is selected.
As shown in FIG. 16B, the hot water menu screen 182 allows the selection of the usage amount and a graph (change in usage amount), and the selected item is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 16C, the period selection menu screen 184 allows the selection of one day's data, one week's data, one month's data, or one year's data.
The usage amount display screens 186, 188 display the hot water usage amount for a specific month, as shown in Figs. 16D and 16E.
As shown in FIG. 16F, the usage amount display screen 190 displays the hot water usage amount for the same month of the previous year.

17 shows the presentation of usage information by the information presentation screen 58 of the remote control unit 12. This information presentation includes a usage transition screen 192 (FIG. 17A) and a usage transition screen 194 (FIG. 17B).
As shown in FIG. 17A, the usage transition screen 192 presents, as an example, a graph display showing the transition of hot water usage in the second week (this week) of a specific month.
As shown in FIG. 17B, the usage transition screen 194 presents, as an example, a graph display showing the transition of hot water usage in the first week (previous week) of a specific month.

<Advantages of the Second Embodiment>
According to the second embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the running cost RC and the boiling temperature Th can be easily confirmed on the information display screen 58 of the information display unit 42.
(2) Since the relationship between the selection of the boiling temperature Th and the running cost RC can be clearly indicated, the user can be satisfied with the running cost RC and the boiling temperature Th, thereby realizing a highly convenient hybrid hot water supply system 2.
(3) If the running cost RC and the heating temperature Th are displayed on the information display unit 42, a highly convenient system can be configured.

Other Embodiments
The hybrid hot water system of the present disclosure includes the following variations.
(1) In the above embodiment, the HP unit 6 is used as the first hot water supply means. However, an electric heat source other than the HP unit 6 may be used.
(2) In the above embodiment, the gas water heater 8 is provided with the secondary heat exchanger 96 , but it may be configured with only the primary heat exchanger 94 .
(3) With regard to the information presentation process and information processing, the process may include a process of switching to the manual switching mode when the mode information acquisition unit 26 acquires automatic switching mode information and there is no operation performance information, a process of the hot water demand information acquisition unit acquiring hot water demand information indicating hot water demand while the manual switching mode is being executed, and a process of the cost information acquisition unit acquiring running cost information indicating the running cost calculated for each different heating temperature using the hot water demand information based on the operation performance information for a certain period. In this case, the process may include a process in which the information presentation unit 42 presents display information indicating that the automatic switching mode has been selected while the manual switching mode is being executed after the automatic switching mode information is selected.

As described above, the most preferred embodiment of the technology of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the description for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the hybrid hot water supply system disclosed herein, whether manual or automatic switching of the boiling temperature is selected, a boiling temperature that minimizes the running cost RC is obtained, and automatic switching to this boiling temperature is possible, making it possible to build a highly convenient hybrid hot water supply system.

2 Hybrid hot water supply system 4 Hot water storage unit 6 HP unit 8 Gas hot water heater 10 Hybrid control unit 12 Remote control unit 14 Hot water storage tank 16 Hot water storage control unit 18 Heat exchange unit 20 HP control unit 22 Heat exchange unit 24 Hot water supply control unit 26 Mode information acquisition unit 28 Hot water supply demand information acquisition unit 30 Cost information acquisition unit 32 Heating temperature selection unit 34 Heating temperature switching unit 36 Operation information acquisition unit 38 Information presentation control unit 40 Information input unit 42 Information presentation unit 44 Remote control control unit 46 Information input screen 48 Manual switching mode unit 50 Heating temperature input unit 50-1 65°C unit 50-2 75°C unit 50-3 85°C unit 50-4 Hot water supply temperature linkage unit 52 Automatic switching mode unit 54 Efficiency information input unit 56 Fee unit price information input section 58 Information presentation screen 60 Heating temperature information section 62 Mode information section 64 Cost information section 66 Hot water demand information section 68 Operation information section 68-1 HP unit operation time section 68-2 Gas water heater operation time section 68-3 Accumulated operation time section 70 Elapsed time information section 72 Water supply pipe 74 Overpressure relief valve 76 Hot water supply pipe 78 Heat medium circulation path 80 Air heat exchanger 82 Compressor 84 Heat medium heat exchanger 86 Expansion valve 87 Air 88 First hot water storage circulation path 88-1 Supply pipe 88-2 Return pipe 90 Second hot water storage circulation path 90-1 Supply pipe 90-2 Return pipe 92 Burner 94 Primary heat exchanger 96 Secondary heat exchanger 98-1, 98-2, 98-3, 98-4, 98-5, 98-6, 98-7, 98-8, 98-9, 98-10, 98-11, 98-12, 98-13, 98-14, 98-15, 98-16, 98-17 Temperature sensor 100 Hot water outlet pipe 102 Mixing valve 104 Bypass pipe 106 Flow sensor 108 Circulation pump 110 Switching valve 112 Circulation pump 114 Fan 116 Flow sensor 118 Hot water supply button 120 Hot water supply lamp 122 Continuous boiling button 124 Continuous boiling lamp 126 Schedule operation button 128 Schedule operation lamp 130 Opening/closing cover 132 Setting operation section 134 Boiling setting button 136 Rapid button 138 Business setting button 140 Suspension setting button 142 Usage status check button 144 Menu button 146 Hot water temperature setting button 148 Confirmation button 150 Back button 152 Processor 154 Memory unit 156 Input/output unit (I/O)
158 Operation information DB
160 Operation information file 162 Date and time section 164 Operation period section 166 Calculation period section 168 Hot water storage unit section 168-1 Water supply temperature section 168-2 Hot water output section 168-3 Hot water load section 170 HP unit section 170-1 COP section 170-2 Operation time section 170-3 Power consumption section 170-4 Fee unit price section 170-5 Cost information section 172 Gas water heater section 172-1 Operation time section 172-2 Gas consumption volume section 172-3 Fee unit price section 172-4 Cost information section 174 Hot water supply and demand ratio section 174-1 HP unit section 174-2 Gas water heater section 176 Running cost section 176-1 Boiling temperature section 176-2 Minimum value section 176-11 65°C section 176-12 75°C section 176-13 85°C section 176-14 Hot water temperature linkage section 178 Boiling temperature section 180 Usage status confirmation menu screen 182 Hot water menu screen 184 Period selection menu screen 186, 188, 190 Usage amount presentation screen 192, 194 Usage amount transition screen

Claims (17)

A hybrid hot water supply method in which hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means is stored in a hot water storage unit, and when hot water is supplied using the hot water storage unit, a shortage of heat required for supplying hot water at a set temperature can be supplemented by a second hot water supply means,
A step in which a mode information acquisition unit acquires manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information of a heating temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means;
a step of, when the mode information acquisition unit acquires the automatic switching mode information, transitioning to an automatic switching mode if operation record information exists, and transitioning to a manual switching mode if the operation record information does not exist;
a hot water demand information acquisition unit acquiring hot water demand information indicating a hot water demand during execution of the manual switching mode and during execution of the automatic switching mode ;
A step in which a cost information acquisition unit acquires running cost information representing a running cost calculated for each different heating temperature using the hot water supply demand information based on the operation result information for a certain period of time;
A step of selecting boiling temperature information that is a minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost by a boiling temperature selection unit;
A step of switching the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means by a boiling temperature switching unit using the boiling temperature information in the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode;
A hybrid hot water supply method comprising: The hybrid hot water supply method of claim 1, further comprising a step in which the boiling temperature selection unit selects boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and the boiling temperature switching unit switches the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means based on the boiling temperature information. The hybrid hot water supply method according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a step in which an information presentation unit presents any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information, and the boiling temperature information. The hybrid hot water supply method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a step in which an information presentation unit presents display information indicating that the automatic switching mode is selected while the manual switching mode is being executed after the automatic switching mode information is selected. A hybrid hot water supply system in which hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means is stored in a hot water storage unit, and when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit, a shortage of heat required for supplying hot water at a set temperature can be supplemented by a second hot water supply means,
a mode information acquisition unit that acquires manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information of a heating temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means , and when the automatic switching mode information is acquired, if operation record information exists, transitions to the automatic switching mode, and if the operation record information does not exist, transitions to the manual switching mode;
a hot water supply demand information acquisition unit that acquires hot water supply demand information indicating a hot water supply demand during execution of the manual switching mode and during execution of the automatic switching mode ;
a cost information acquisition unit that acquires running cost information representing a running cost calculated for each different heating temperature using the hot water supply demand information based on the operation result information for a certain period of time;
A boiling temperature selection unit that selects boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost;
a boiling temperature switching unit that switches the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means using boiling temperature information in the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode;
A hybrid hot water system comprising: The hybrid hot water supply system of claim 5, further characterized in that the boiling temperature switching unit selects boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and based on the boiling temperature information, the boiling temperature switching unit switches the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means. The hybrid hot water supply system of claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising an information presentation unit that presents any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information, and the heating temperature information. The hybrid hot water supply system of claim 7 further comprises an information input unit which is displayed on the information input screen of the information presentation unit, and which is characterized in that it comprises a mode input unit which inputs manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information for the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means on the information input screen, and a boiling temperature input unit which can select from a plurality of boiling temperatures. A program to be executed by a computer for use in a hybrid hot water supply system in which hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means is stored in a hot water storage unit, and when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit, a shortage of heat required for supplying hot water at a set temperature can be supplemented by a second hot water supply means,
A function of acquiring manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information of the heating temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means;
a function of switching to an automatic switching mode when operation record information is present when the automatic switching mode information is acquired, and switching to a manual switching mode when the operation record information is not present;
a function of acquiring hot water demand information indicating a hot water demand during execution of the manual switching mode and during execution of the automatic switching mode ;
A function of acquiring running cost information representing a running cost calculated for each different heating temperature using the hot water demand information based on the operation result information for a certain period of time;
A function of acquiring selection information of boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost;
A function of switching the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means using boiling temperature information in the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode;
A program for causing the computer to execute the above. The program described in claim 9 further causes the computer to execute a function of selecting boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and switching the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means based on the boiling temperature information. The program according to claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising a function of causing the computer to execute a function of causing an information presentation unit to present any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information , and the boiling temperature information. The program according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a function of causing the computer to execute a function of causing an information presentation unit to present display information indicating that the automatic switching mode has been selected while the manual switching mode is being executed after the automatic switching mode information has been selected. A recording medium having the program according to any one of claims 9 to 12 recorded thereon. A hybrid control unit used in a hybrid hot water supply system in which hot water boiled by a first hot water supply means is stored in a hot water storage unit, and when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit, a shortage of heat required for supplying hot water at a set temperature can be supplemented by a second hot water supply means,
a mode information acquisition unit that acquires manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information of a heating temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means , and when the automatic switching mode information is acquired, if operation record information exists, transitions to the automatic switching mode, and if the operation record information does not exist, transitions to the manual switching mode;
a hot water demand information acquisition unit that acquires hot water demand information indicating a hot water demand during execution of the manual switching mode and during execution of the automatic switching mode ;
a cost information acquisition unit that acquires running cost information representing a running cost calculated for each different heating temperature using the hot water demand information based on the operation result information for a certain period of time;
A boiling temperature selection unit that selects boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost;
a boiling temperature switching unit that switches the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means using boiling temperature information in the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode;
A hybrid control unit comprising: The hybrid control unit of claim 14, further characterized in that the boiling temperature selection unit selects boiling temperature information that is the minimum value or a value close to the minimum value of the running cost, and the boiling temperature switching unit switches the boiling temperature set in the first hot water supply means based on the boiling temperature information. A remote control unit equipped with the hybrid control unit according to claim 14 or claim 15 or linked to the hybrid control unit,
A remote control unit comprising an information presentation section that presents any one or more of the manual switching mode information, the automatic switching mode information, the running cost information, and the boiling temperature information. The remote control unit described in claim 16 further comprises an information input unit, which is displayed on the information input screen of the information presentation unit, and which is further characterized by having a mode input unit for inputting manual switching mode information or automatic switching mode information for the boiling temperature to be set in the first hot water supply means on the information input screen, and a boiling temperature input unit capable of selecting from a plurality of boiling temperatures.

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