Heat pump
Optimization in details
Self-consumption optimization: PV excess to heat pump
If the electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic system is not consumed directly in the house, this energy is available as PV excess. The “PV excess to heat pump” optimization feature increases the self-consumption of the self-produced electrical energy by shifting the operating times of the heat pump to times with a predicted PV excess.
Without optimization
Without optimization, the heat pump starts operating in the evening when the photovoltaic system is no longer producing energy because there is no sunlight, no direct PV excess is available and the energy stored in the battery (power storage system) is not sufficient.
With self-consumption optimization
In general, self-consuming the PV excess produced by photovoltaic systems is more financially beneficial than feeding it into the public power grid.
The optimization feature “PV excess to heat pump” prevents the situation displayed in graph 1 by shifting the operating times of the heat pump from the evening to midday, when the photovoltaic system produces energy. The Energy Management decision is based on the consumption data of the last 72 hours, the expected PV electricity production as well as historical weather data and the weather forecast. The “PV excess to heat pump” and “Forecast-based battery charging” features work closely together and can be active together or independently of each other. Together, however, they can develop their full potential when optimizing self consumption.
Tariff-based optimization
In addition to self-consumption optimization, tariff-based optimization can be activated in the ViCare app. These optimization features work hand in hand and the operating costs of the heat pump can be reduced even further. By activating tariff-based optimization, the electricity price is also taken into account in addition to periods of high PV production. The Energy Management then shifts the operation of the heat pump to times when the electricity price is low. This can further reduce the consumption costs.
Systems without photovoltaic system
With tariff-based optimization, the Energy Management also reduces consumption costs for systems without a photovoltaic system. The operation of the heat pump is shifted to times when electricity price is low and avoided when the electricity price is high.
In order to save costs with tariff-based optimization, it is necessary to have an active dynamic or time-based electricity tariff stored and the “Dynamic Assistant” subscription activated in the ViCare app.
With self-consumption and tariff-based optimization
This case shows a dynamic tariff. The electricity price is low on the displayed day, particularly in the morning until 7:00 a.m. and at midday. The tariff-based optimization shifts the operating times of the heat pump to times when the electricity price is low. This reduces operation at times of high electricity price. The heating times of the heat pump time programs remain unaffected, so that the (climate) comfort is not impaired.
When deciding to shift the operating times of the heat pump, Energy Management takes into account not only the electricity price and the expected PV production, if a photovoltaic system is part of the system, but also the consumption data from the last 72 hours. This allows the greatest possible savings potential to be exploited.
